Regulatory

Despite Drought, California Has Strong Summer Power Outlook, CAISO Says

Despite Drought, California Has Strong Summer Power Outlook, CAISO Says

Even if the summer turns much hotter than normal, drought-plagued California will have plenty of electricity, according to a recent assessment by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

May 13, 2015

Murkowski Bills Would Boost Alaska’s OCS Revenues, Lift Crude Export Ban

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has introduced a pair of bills that call for boosting Alaska’s share of revenues from oil and natural gas production from the state’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) — as well as increasing the number of lease sales there — and lifting the U.S. ban on crude oil exports.

May 13, 2015

House Panel Hears Testimony Over Pipeline Permitting Delays

Lawmakers on the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power heard differing points of view over a draft bill that would reinforce the primacy of FERC over the construction of natural gas pipelines, and rein in permitting delays that the industry complains are hampering development.

May 13, 2015
Drone Use Among Utilities to Change Safety, Maintenance Programs

Drone Use Among Utilities to Change Safety, Maintenance Programs

Sempra Energy's San Diego Gas & Electric Co. last month obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to deploy drones (unmanned aircraft) to survey natural gas pipelines and power lines for safety and maintenance programs. It holds the promise to cut costs and improve safety and reliability for the nation's energy utility network.

May 12, 2015

Fifth Circuit Rules BP Can Appeal Some Settlement Claims

Still reeling from the fallout surrounding the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, BP late Friday received a mixed bag of news from an appellate court. The energy giant learned it would be able to appeal some claims related to the disaster, while others will remain out of reach.

May 12, 2015

DOE Grants Corpus Christi Non-FTA LNG Export OK

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final authorization for Cheniere Energy Inc.'s Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project (Corpus Christi) to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have free trade agreements (FTA) with the United States.

May 12, 2015
Drone Use Among Utilities to Change Safety, Maintenance Programs

Drone Use Among Utilities to Change Safety, Maintenance Programs

Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) last month obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to deploy drones (unmanned aircraft) to survey natural gas pipelines and power lines for safety and maintenance programs. It holds the promise to cut costs and improve safety and reliability for the nation’s energy utility network.

May 12, 2015

Fifth Circuit Rules BP Can Appeal Some Settlement Claims

Still reeling from the fallout surrounding the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, BP late Friday received a mixed bag of news from an appellate court. The energy giant learned it would be able to appeal some claims related to the disaster, while others will remain out of reach.

May 12, 2015

DOE Grants Corpus Christi Non-FTA LNG Export OK

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final authorization for Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project (Corpus Christi) to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have free trade agreements (FTA) with the United States.

May 12, 2015
BOEM Grants Shell Conditional Approval for Chukchi Drilling

BOEM Grants Shell Conditional Approval for Chukchi Drilling

The Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management gave conditional approval Monday for a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc to explore…

May 11, 2015