By Edward P. Yim The Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) recently published its recommendations for improving the effectiveness of FracFocus. The report entitled, “ Task Force Report on FracFocus 2.0 ,” recommends improving the accuracy... Read More
By Benjamin J. Bolinger Ohio House Bill 490 , which would strengthen penalties for violating Ohio’s oil and gas regulations, is now pending before the Ohio House agriculture committee. The bill was introduced in response to illegal dumping of... Read More
On May 15, 2015, the FERC commissioners sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) addressing two areas where FERC could contribute to maintaining reliability under EPA’s Clean Power Plan (“CPP”). FERC’s... Read More
By Holly A. Pisanelli The Inspector General (IG) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Arthur Elkins, has vowed to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of state and federal regulations of hydraulic fracturing. The IG recently responded... Read More
By Lori A. Dawkins and Brian J. Pulito On May 24, 2013, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a Memorandum Opinion in which it addressed what activities constitute “commencing a well” ( Good Will... Read More
On July 9, 2013, Governor Corbett signed into law Senate Bill 259, also known as the Oil and Gas Lease Act (Act), amending the Guaranteed Minimum Royalty Act. In addition to providing new rights and requirements as to payments resulting from the production... Read More
By Joshua F. Hall On May 27, 2015, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the formation of a task force to help the Commonwealth, the natural gas industry and communities partner for the development of new pipeline infrastructure to allow natural... Read More
In a July order , the New York Public Service Commission authorizes the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to offer longer-term, fixed-price renewable energy credit agreements, extending the maximum term from ten to twenty... Read More
By J. Wylie Donald Would you care to hazard a guess at how long it takes to bring online an offshore wind farm in the United States? At the moment, it is 12+ years and counting. A recent court filing arguing constitutional questions is certain... Read More
AUSTIN, Texas — (Mealey’s) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on May 18 signed a bill that preempts regulation of hydraulic fracturing at the city level, overriding the fracking ban that was passed last year in a referendum that was approved in the City... Read More
Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) has dismissed another anti-wind power appeal: May 14, 2014, Pitt v. MOE ERT Registry Number: 13-121. The Wainfleet Wind Energy Project can now proceed, despite objections from a skydiving club. The ERT... Read More
The Alaska Senate approved Gov. Sean Parnell's (R) proposal to extract, develop and transport natural gas from the state's North Slope region, potentially the biggest infrastructure project in state history. The vote on SB 138 came mostly along... Read More