Unprecedented

In an almost unprecedented show of bipartisanship in the currently divided Congress, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Wednesday unanimously adopted pipeline safety reauthorization legislation.

California’s governor and environmental stakeholders in the state on Friday lauded the Obama administration for setting new, unprecedented fuel efficiency standards for the model years 2017-25. Major auto manufacturers joined the White House in announcing the new standards, which California has essentially already adopted.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. recently reached an “unprecedented uncontested” settlement in its $1.1 billion pending general rate case, and a previous settlement on its natural gas transmission pipeline and storage system that was reached in August before the deadly San Bruno pipeline rupture is not expected to be delayed, according to utility President Chris Johns.

The greater sage grouse and sagebrush ecosystems across 11 western states are to receive “unprecedented support” under a joint agreement unveiled last week by the departments of Interior and Agriculture.

The greater sage grouse and sagebrush ecosystems across 11 western states are to receive “unprecedented support” under a joint agreement unveiled Tuesday by the departments of Interior and Agriculture.

The greater sage grouse and sagebrush ecosystems across 11 western states are to receive “unprecedented support” under a joint agreement unveiled Tuesday by the departments of Interior and Agriculture.

Unprecedented energy development across parts of the West now threatens 10 of the most important fish and wildlife habitats on U.S. public land, according to Sportsmen for Responsible Energy, a coalition led by the National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

U.S. natural gas production is on track to grow at least 3.6% in 2008 versus a year ago, and producers won’t be able to lay down rigs fast enough to offset the unprecedented growth, thus facing a “high possibility” of forced shut-ins and regional basis blowouts next summer, Raymond James & Associates Inc. reported last week.

Shale plays have triggered a “massive upward shift” in U.S. natural gas production and are driving unprecedented growth, with output from publicly traded exploration and production (E&P) companies in 2Q2008 up 6.7% year-over-year (y/y), according to data compiled by energy analysts.