About 9% of the U.S. electricity generating capacity comes in the form of cogeneration, or combined heat-power (CHP) in various onsite commercial/industrial applications, but a recent General Electric (GE) study estimates that fully up to 20% of the nation’s capacity could come from CHP if energy programs were expanded.
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Northeast Gains Lead Continuation of Rally
Milder weather trends continue in the South, while temperature changes are mixed in various parts of the Midwest. Nevertheless, the continuation of winter-like conditions in much of the North American market assured that this week’s overall price advance extended into its third day Wednesday.
Samson Buyout Brings More Private Equity to Shales
An investor group led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. LP (KKR) has agreed to pay $7.2 billion for Samson Investment Co. of Tulsa, one of the largest privately held exploration and production (E&P) companies in the United States. The deal gives KKR and its partners stakes in a number of unconventional resources plays.
Pennsylvania ‘More Consistently’ Enforcing Drilling Regs, Says Krancer
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is working to “more consistently” enforce natural gas drilling regulations in various regions of the state, DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said Thursday.
Industry Brief
A California bill (SB 489) to increase access to various clean energy sources, including biogas was passed out of the lower house Assembly’s Appropriations Committee earlier in August on a 12-4 vote with a “do-pass” recommendation. The measure’s author, Sen. Lois Wolk said the bill is designed to remove current barriers in the way of small-scale renewable energy development, and specifically gives farmers and food processors in the agricultural sector the ability to cut their businesses’ energy bills through more combined heat-power systems. SB 489 would enable all eligible renewable energy technologies — including biomass and biogas — to use the state’s net energy metering program that allows customers to offset some of their power usage with on-site generation. This is aimed at greatly expanding the benefits net energy metering to a wider group of energy producer/users.
Corbett Clarifying Stance on Impact Fee
The administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is drafting legislation for an impact fee on natural gas drillers in the state, according to the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Over the past week Corbett said he could support a fee for mitigating local impacts and some statewide issues, but not for unrestricted revenue.
Official: Eagle Ford Water Use ‘Developing’
Texas keeps getting hotter and drier, and aquifer water levels keep declining as homeowners, farmers and oil and gas drillers keep pumping water for their various uses. However, one water watcher told NGI he does not expect curtailments on water use for drilling/hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the Eagle Ford Shale.
Eagle Ford Shale Water Use In ‘Developing Stage,’ Says Official
Texas keeps getting hotter and drier, and aquifer water levels keep declining as homeowners, farmers and oil and gas drillers keep pumping water for their various uses. However, one water watcher told NGI’s Shale Daily he does not expect curtailments on water use for drilling/hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the Eagle Ford Shale.
CenterPoint Sees Growth in Shale Reserves
CenterPoint Energy Inc. said Thursday its natural gas gathering volumes rose significantly during the first quarter, with shale gas accounting for most of the total as traditional basins fell. The company also continued to make progress on gathering systems in the Haynesville Shale.
EPA Rule Changes on CNG Conversions Widely Lauded
At a time when the concept of natural gas as a transportation fuel is getting newfound backing in the nation’s capital and in various states, there was generally positive reaction to the recent move by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make it easier to certify compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion systems.