LNG Exports
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of August 21, 2023
LNG Exports: Environmental Groups Petition Federal Appeals Court Over DOE Order Approving the Alaska LNG Project ⚡
On August 11, 2023, the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking to reverse the Biden administration’s approval of Alaska LNG Project. The Department of Energy (DOE) approved the project in an order on April 13, 2023, and denied petitioners previous request for a rehearing. The environmental groups argue that the project, pursued by the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corp., would contribute to excessive […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of April 24, 2023
GHG Emissions: EPA Announces New Standards with Vehicle Emissions Reduction Goals ⚡
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles manufactured from 2027 to 2032. As proposed, these standards would become increasingly stringent across the six-year period, both for light- and medium-duty vehicles. The new standards also include revisions to other programs concerned with greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions), including carbon credits, zero-emissions and hybrid vehicles, and other vehicle compliance measures. Emissions resulting from the refueling of incomplete medium-duty vehicles are also subject to new standards, as well as […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of March 27, 2023
GHG Emissions: European Parliament Adopts Draft Measures to Achieve Zero-emission Buildings by 2050 ⚡
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Members of the European Parliament adopted a proposed amendment to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which now calls for the total decarbonization of buildings in all members states by 2050. In addition to buildings, the revision 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the European Union (EU) by 2030. The proposal recommends that Member States should move away from fossil fuels for heating and suggests that tax incentives should be adopted to encourage renewable energy sources instead. The […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of March 20, 2023
Methane Emissions: DOE Offers $47 Million to Fund Methane Emissions Reduction Technologies ⚡
On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $47 million in funding that will be made available for 22 new projects focused on methane emissions reduction. These projects will develop technologies to detect, quantify, and reduce methane emissions in regions of the United States that are oil and natural gas producing. The technologies being developed are categorized into five areas, which involve the mitigation of emissions from oil and gas machinery, monitoring and measuring of emissions from oil and gas facilities, investigation of methane […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of November 28, 2022
Oil and Gas Regulations: EPA Plan for Limiting Emissions from Oil and Gas Sources Near Native Lands Released ⚡
A November 8, 2022, pre-publication version of a plan by the Environmental Protection Agency to require emissions controls by oil and gas producers near native lands in northeast Utah was recently released. The requirements would apply to existing and new oil and gas sources and are intended to reduce emissions to be in compliance with the national air quality standards.
Oil and Gas Leasing: PA Lawsuit Filed Against Shale Company for Health and Environmental Damage
On October 28, 2022, a Washington County, Pennsylvania […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of September 19, 2022
Oil and Gas Leasing: Judge Orders Reinstatement of Drilling Permit for Solenex on Blackfeet Nation Lands ⚡
On September 9, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a memorandum opinion, finding that the Secretary of the Interior did not have authority to rescind an oil and gas lease which the Interior Department had previously granted to Solenex for leasing and drilling in the Badger-Two Medicine area in Montana (land sacred to the Blackfeet Nation). Solenex v. Haaland, et al., Civil Case No. 13-993 (RJL). The court also found that the Secretary acted arbitrarily and capriciously in […]
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of July 25, 2022
Oil and Gas Regulation: Well Plugging Bill Becomes Law in Pennsylvania ⚡
On July 19, 2022, Pennsylvania bill, HB 2644, which establishes and allocates funds to an Orphan Well Plugging Grant Program (“Program”) became law, effective immediately. Funding for the Program will be used to receive and approve applications, provide civil liability for well pluggers, and issue grants to plug oil and gas wells. The bill will also set criteria for which wells qualify for the program and who qualifies as a well plugger.
LNG Exports: Sierra Club Files Lawsuit Appealing Driftwood LNG Permit
On July 19, 2022, filed a petition […]
Shale Law Weekly Review – December 22, 2020
Pipelines: Maryland Board of Public Works Approves Wetlands License for Underground Pipeline Construction
On December 2, 2020, the Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously voted to issue a Wetlands License to Eastern Shore Natural Gas Pipeline Company to construct and operate an underground pipeline spanning seven miles beneath South Prong Wicomico River. In considering whether to issue the license, the Board had to determine the extent of the pipeline project’s impact on wetlands. At the meeting, a representative of the Maryland Department of Environment recommended that the Board approve the license with certain conditions relating to drilling fluid pressure limits, […]
Shale Law Weekly Review – December 18, 2020
LNG Exports: Department of Energy Issues Rule Modifying Requirements for Environmental Review on LNG Projects
On December 4, 2020, the U.S. Energy Department published a final rule in the Federal Register (85 FR 78197) that would modify environmental reviews requirements for some liquified natural gas (LNG) projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The new rule relieves the Department of Energy from having to conduct environmental reviews in connection with some aspects of exporting and importing LNG with non-Free Trade Agreement countries. For example, the Department of Energy will no longer review potential environmental impacts stemming from construction and […]
Shale Law Weekly Review – November 9, 2020
Pipelines: Michigan Limits Scope of Hearings on Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel
On October 23, 2020, the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules issued a ruling on the Motion in Limine submitted by Enbridge to limit the scope and evidence presented in upcoming hearings before the Michigan Public Service Commission regarding construction of Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac. In the decision, the agency determined that it was necessary for the Commission to consider the Utility Tunnel’s design, construction, and operation in the construction of the pipeline. The Commission must also consider the Utility Tunnel to determine that Enbridge has undertaken […]
