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Using Colorado as its example, a Boulder, CO-based nonprofit law and conservation group, added its two cents to the growing list of advocate-sponsored studies of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), concluding there are definite impacts on water supplies and the communities they serve from the widespread use of the oil/gas drilling technology.

Five public-access natural gas vehicle (NGV) fueling stations are among 15 projects that were granted a total of $23.1 million in funding Wednesday by the California Energy Commission (CEC) as part of the state’s alternative transportation fuels program. Several other projects will benefit NGVs as part of research and development on all the alternative fuels.

The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to legalize hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and begin the process of creating a regulatory framework for the practice.

A bill that would legalize hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in North Carolina and lay the groundwork for its regulation tentatively was scheduled for a second reading Wednesday in the state Senate, one day after clearing a key legislative committee.

Citizens for Property Rights (CPR), a five-member group that opposes what members believe are too-strict restrictions on gas drilling imposed by the city of Southlake, TX, failed to get enough signatures on a petition to relax some of the rules. However, CRP Chairman Stephen Oren said the group will try again.

Inspectors with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found methane gas in three residential water wells and two streams in Bradford County. DEP has launched an investigation to determine the source.

Wrapping up the $38 billion acquisition that has been called a “once in a lifetime transaction,” Kinder Morgan on Thursday completed its acquisition of El Paso Corp., creating the largest midstream and the fourth largest energy company in North America, owning an interest in or operating approximately 75,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals with an enterprise value of more than $90 billion.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. shareholders were urged in a letter sent Thursday by the New York City comptroller to vote against the only two board members up for reelection in June. Meanwhile, the board on Friday adopted a compensation arrangement for outside directors that reduces compensation by 20% and eliminates personal travel on aircraft in which the company has a stake.

Adding to its already significant holdings in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southern New Mexico, Concho Resources Inc. on Monday agreed to acquire all the oil and natural gas assets of Three Rivers Operating Co. and affiliated entities for $1 billion in cash.