Unanimously

The 20-member board of directors of the national Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) last week unanimously called for a complete disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process, which is used to develop most of the shale gas wells in the country.

The 20-member board of directors of the national Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) on Wednesday unanimously called for a complete disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process, which is used to develop most of the shale gas wells in the country.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution that will help promote solar thermal water heating installations as part of the state’s ongoing 10-year, billion-dollar solar initiative program.

Pittsburgh City Council members last Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution calling for a one-year moratorium on Marcellus Shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania. The resolution is in support of legislation introduced by state Sen. Jim Ferlo and drew the ire of the producer-backed Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC).

Pittsburgh City Council members Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution calling for a one-year moratorium on Marcellus Shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania. The resolution is in support of legislation introduced by state Sen. Jim Ferlo and drew the ire of the producer-backed Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC).

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) last Thursday unanimously approved allocating $113 million from two court-approved settlements reached by Sempra Energy and various natural gas distribution utilities, including Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E).

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Thursday unanimously approved allocating $113 million from two court-approved settlements reached by Sempra Energy and various natural gas distribution utilities, including Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E).

The California Energy Commission (CEC) last Thursday unanimously approved its 2009 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR), recommending a fresh mix of strategies for lowering the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions along with maintaining reliable, efficient and affordable energy supplies. The focus continued to be on reliability and renewable resources in this latest annual update of the report that goes to the governor and legislature.

A California Senate committee unanimously approved the reappointment of the state’s chief regulator while refusing to reconfirm a second member of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Michael Peevey will continue as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s choice for CPUC president and will fulfill a second six-year term that runs through 2014. A former president and board member at Southern California Edison Co., Peevey has headed the CPUC for the past seven years and was originally appointed by former Gov. Gray Davis. Commissioner Rachelle Chong was not reconfirmed because the state legislative panel refused to hear her nomination to a second term by Schwarzenegger. Chong is an attorney specializing in telecommunications and a former member of the Federal Communications Commission. Lawmakers refused to even consider confirming Chong, saying she failed to protect consumers, particularly telecommunications customers. They accused her of not resolving many major consumer complaints. Chong’s last meeting was last Thursday, and she left the CPUC hearing room abruptly at the end of the business session, asking Peevey to read a long prepared statement. At the end, Peevey expressed he and his fellow commissioners’ sadness in seeing Chong’s tenure on the five-member panel come to an end.