The PennEast Pipeline is in the pre-file stage of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rubber-stamping process. (Docket#15-1) Since its announcement in late 2014, the PennEast Pipeline has been met with unprecedented opposition. Townships and county governments have passed and filed resolutions against it, and opposition to the PennEast Pipeline ruled the FERC scoping hearings held earlier in 2015. Between September 2014 and now, over 1,500 comments have been submitted to FERC. The … [Read more...] about PennEast Spams FERC
Segmentation – A Pipeline Loophole
In 2014 the Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) successfully won a lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The lawsuit involved the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company’s (TGP) Northeast Upgrade Project (NEUP). The NEUP project involved the interdependence of its 300 Line upgrade project components. TGP tried to hide this interdependence to avoid critical environmental regulation and oversight. Avoiding interdependence and thus finding a loophole by segmenting projects … [Read more...] about Segmentation – A Pipeline Loophole
Pipelines or Rail for Fossil Fuels are False Choices
The so called “train bombs” are gaining public attention, mainly due to the media reporting. We have to keep in mind the first rule of reporting news – If it bleeds, it leads. A train derailment with a spectacular fireball is more “entertaining” than a pipeline leak. Transport of fossil fuels by rail is more expensive than transport via pipeline. Due to the cost considerations of rail or pipelines it is obvious the industry would prefer to use a pipeline. The frequency of news reporting … [Read more...] about Pipelines or Rail for Fossil Fuels are False Choices
MORE PENNEAST GARBAGECONOMICS
Last month, right before FERC was to hold its first scoping hearing on the PennEast pipeline, the PennEast Pipeline Corporation released an economic impact report. The media picked up and dutifully transcribed the press release, and headlines touted 12,000 job figure, and gazillion of dollars that would flow into Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PennEast contracted with Drexel University and Econsult to produce the report. The report is being widely criticized for wild claims of job and … [Read more...] about MORE PENNEAST GARBAGECONOMICS
Marcellus Shale Players
The often mentioned and long awaited Marcellus Shale Players is Now Available ON-LINE The Marcellus Shale Players is a 5-year and on-going project by Dory Hippauf. It began with the simple question of “WHO IS....” Too often players are overlooked or simply dismissed as industry shills, yet these players are actively working hand in hand with politicians to write regulations, create laws and exemptions to benefit themselves. They craft and control the message you see often repeated in … [Read more...] about Marcellus Shale Players
PENNEAST and the TACO PIPELINE
One of the talking points touted by the fossil fuel industry is in regards to how many jobs it will create. When people hear the numbers, they are thinking these are jobs directly related to fossil fuels, like workers on a drill pad, or construction of pipelines. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett often boasted the shale industry had created 200,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. This conflicts with the 28,000 jobs reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DOL). Why the … [Read more...] about PENNEAST and the TACO PIPELINE
PENNEAST GARBAGENOMICS
Of the items mentioned to be considered in the Pre-Filing Environmental Review Process is the socio-economic impact. I would like to comment on the Economical Development Analysis released by PennEast this past Monday, on Feb. 9, 2015. The PennEast Economical Development Analysis was produced by EConsult Solutions and Drexel University and it eerily mirrors a similar report produced by EConsult Solutions on Feb. 5, 2015 for Sunoco Logistics’ Mariner East project[i]. PennEast Economic … [Read more...] about PENNEAST GARBAGENOMICS
GOOD FRACKING NEIGHBORS IN WEST VIRGINIA?
From the time the natural gas industry first stepped into the Marcellus Shale region, they have claimed to be “good neighbors”. In July 2014, the American Petroleum Institute (API) published a “first-of-its-kind industry standard for community engagement in areas of the country where horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have opened new energy development opportunities.” Dubbed ANSI/API Bulletin 100-3, the standard provides a detailed list of steps that oil and natural companies can … [Read more...] about GOOD FRACKING NEIGHBORS IN WEST VIRGINIA?
WOLF GETS CAKE AND EATS IT TOO
Via an executive order, Governor Tom Wolf issued an executive order #2015-03 which on first glance appears to stop all drilling on state lands and forests. To those who have broken out the champagne and are toasting the Governor’s actions you may want to put the cork back into the bottle and read the actual executive order. Executive Order 2015-03 - Leasing of State Forest and State Park Land for Oil and Gas Development There are two important items in the Executive order: The first … [Read more...] about WOLF GETS CAKE AND EATS IT TOO
IT’S BAAAAACK – ONE SIZE FRACKS ALL ZONING
When Act 13 was signed into law by former PA Governor Tom Corbett on February 14, 2012, it contained language which would override all local ordinances and enactments of standards pertaining to the natural gas industry activities. Such ordinances or standards would have been set by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to “maintain consistency and uniformity”. Seven Pennsylvania municipalities fought back and filed a lawsuit. By July 2012, the Commonwealth Courts struck down … [Read more...] about IT’S BAAAAACK – ONE SIZE FRACKS ALL ZONING
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