Votes

Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly were able to override Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of a bill to legalize hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on Monday after a voting error by a Democratic lawmaker.

Despite earlier promulgations that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can be performed safely, North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue on Sunday vetoed a bill that would have legalized the practice and begun the process for its regulation.

A pair of votes last week highlighted the struggle Pennsylvania’s local governments are having with a new regulatory package of shale development.

A pair of votes Tuesday highlighted the struggle Pennsylvania’s local governments are having with a new regulatory package of shale development.

Based on a preliminary count of votes, El Paso Corp. shareholders have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a merger with Kinder Morgan Inc. About 70% of outstanding El Paso common shares were voted, and of these more than 95% were in favor of the merger. El Paso CEO Doug Foshee said closing is anticipated in the second quarter. The company plans to file a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the final voting results as soon as they are available. The deal is moving forward with the reluctant blessing of a Delaware business court judge who recently admonished Foshee and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. for “disturbing” behavior that led to the transaction (see NGI, March 5; Oct. 24, 2011).

ExxonMobil Corp. this week launched a public relations campaign while Chevron Corp. is working with industry groups to assure the public that drilling unconventional wells using hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) is safe. The moves preceded separate annual meetings where shareholders voiced growing support for more disclosure about the well stimulation practices.

A blueprint for a climate change and energy bill that sponsors hope will gain the 60 votes necessary to pass the Senate in 2010 was released Thursday by the three lawmakers who have been leading the charge for legislation: Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT). Separately, Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Friday unveiled a competing proposal to create a “cap and dividend” structure that would give dividends to U.S. taxpayers.

A blueprint for a climate change and energy bill that sponsors hope will gain the 60 votes necessary to pass the Senate in 2010 was released Thursday by the three lawmakers who have been leading the charge for legislation: Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT). Separately, Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Friday unveiled a competing proposal to create a “cap and dividend” structure that would give dividends to U.S. taxpayers.

Proxy adviser Glass, Lewis & Co. is recommending that Chesapeake Energy Corp. shareholders withhold their votes for three board members facing reelection because of CEO Aubrey McClendon’s compensation package.