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FERC Overrules NY DEC on Northern Access Pipeline Rehearing

Last August the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a decision overruling the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to allow National Fuel Gas Company’s Northern Access Pipeline project to proceed (see Big News: FERC Overrules NY DEC to Approve Northern Access Pipe). The DEC subsequently asked FERC to reconsider the decision. FERC did, and ruled on Tuesday that they were right the first time–the DEC forfeited the right to issue permits for the project by taking too long.
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DC Circuit Court Slaps Down NY, NC Request to Block 3 Pipelines

In addition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) slapping down the New York DEC this week (see our lead story), on Wednesday the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals slapped down both New York and North Carolina regulators who tried to block three important Williams pipeline projects, all related to the mighty Transco Pipeline.
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Landowner Asks PA Supremes to Throw Out 150-Yr-Old Rule of Capture

Last November the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear a case, Briggs v. Southwestern Energy, that is hands-down the most important court case to ever happen regarding the Marcellus Shale in PA. And no, we’re not exaggerating. A blizzard of briefs by Southwestern and those supporting Southwestern were filed in February (see “Rule of Capture” Briefs Filed w/PA Supreme Court in Briggs Case). On Wednesday, it was the Briggs’ turn to file a brief, one in which they ask the Supremes to stop application of the 150 year-old “rule of capture” in PA when it comes to shale wells.
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Philly RINO Throws a Bunch of Pipeline Bills Against the Wall

One liberal Philadelphia-area Republican and two Philly Democrats (considered a “bipartisan” group) have just introduced a package of seven bills in the Pennsylvania House supposedly meant to “further regulate pipeline companies and provide greater oversight authority to state agencies.” Sounds so reasonable, doesn’t it? In reality the bills are aimed at shutting down new pipeline projects in the state. Why does it take seven bills? They’re flinging whatever crapola they can against the wall, hoping at least one or two bills will stick.
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Plans to Get More Gas to New England & Canadian Maritimes

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The Canadian Maritimes, a region along the coast of Eastern Canada including three provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, is in a pickle with respect to natural gas. In January, offshore supplies of natural gas which had fed the Maritimes for decades closed down, which means the region must now get more gas from either Western Canada, or the Marcellus/Utica.
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Utica Shale Industry has (So Far) Invested $70B in Ohio

Did you know that at least $70 billion has been spent in Ohio on drilling and pipelines and other infrastructure to support the Utica Shale industry since 2011? No, we didn’t either. That is an astounding number! How about this number: Ad valorem (i.e. property) taxes paid by the shale industry from 2010 through 2018 have totaled ~$132 million. That’s money that goes to fund local schools and towns. Amazing!
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Steel Nation Gets New Engineering Manager

Steven J. Bauer

Steel Nation, headquartered in Washington County, PA, works primarily in the energy sector of North America. Steel Nation is a leading designer and builder of transmission, storage and compression facilities for the midstream and transmission operations of the oil and gas industry throughout the Marcellus and Utica Shale region, as well as other resource plays. MDN is tickled pink that Steel Nation is our 2019 premier sponsor. We’re excited to announce the addition of an important new member to the Steel Nation team.
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Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Apr 5, 2019

OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Colorado oil industry gets overhaul by regulators; Is this the end of Colorado’s shale boom?; Understanding microbial communities in fractured shales goal of NSF-sponsored project; The world’s cheapest natural gas; NATIONAL: California imports the most electricity from other states; Pennsylvania exports the most; U.S. oil, gas land deals plunge to 10-year low in first quarter; Natgas volumes headed for 108 Bcf/d by 2024, crude economics to ‘wreak havoc’ on gas; Cheniere’s secret? Stick to tested strategy even as LNG industry pushes new business models; House Democrats voted for a natural gas future, and nobody noticed; Citing differences, Shell walks away from U.S. refining lobby; INTERNATIONAL: Carbon tax hits diesel prices in four Canadian provinces.
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