No Work Gets Done at Inaugural PA Pipeline Task Force Meeting
In May, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced the formation of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force (PITF)–an effort to “promote unprecedented collaboration of stakeholders to facilitate the development of a world-class pipeline infrastructure system” (see Disaster on the Horizon: PA Gov Wolf Creates Pipeline Task Force). Last week we told you who Wolf appointed to the 42-member committee–one-third of them report to him in one fashion or another (working for the state government), and over one-half of the members work for either local, state or federal government (see PA Gov Wolf Packs Pipeline Task Force with His Own Minions). In other words, Wolf packed the so-called task force with people who don’t know a darned thing about the private sector and how to run a business. Yes, it is a train wreck waiting to happen. Wolf and his minion DEP Sec. John Quigley intends to slow down the pace of pipeline construction in the state just when it needs to speed up. Such are the consequences of voting for the wrong candidate. Yesterday the PITF held it’s first official meeting with Quigley chairing it. Interestingly, there was talk from Quigley about midstreamers getting a “social license”…
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As MDN noted last Thursday, taking a break from being on break in breathtakingly beautiful Ogunquit, Maine, a group of Tioga County, NY landowners have painted Andrew Cuomo and his Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in a corner with respect to fracking in the Empire State (see 
In May Pennsylvania “in over his head” Gov. Tom Wolf announced the formation of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force (PITF)–an effort to “promote unprecedented collaboration of stakeholders to facilitate the development of a world-class pipeline infrastructure system” (see 
Another new un-legislated law, euphemistically called a “rule”, is on the way from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Last week the PHMSA released details of a new rule that would, among other things, require operators of interstate pipelines (pipelines that cross state borders) that flow natural gas or natural gas liquids or oil or condensate or… you get the idea–those pipelines must report a leak within 60 minutes (but “at the earliest practicable moment” meaning 60 seconds or less if you can manage it) to the feds from when the company becomes aware of such a leak. The new “rule” will also punish big pipeline projects costing more than $2.5 billion by hiking fees on the pipeline to cover PHMSA expenses in putting such a project through a PHMSA anal exam/review. Want to reverse the flow of the already-built pipeline? Tell the PHMSA first. Want to provide a tap on a pipeline for farms? Tell the PHMSA first. Had an accident/spill? Every employee from the janitor on up who may have had something to do with the operation of that pipeline will now get subjected to a PHMSA drug AND alcohol test. Welcome back to the USSR PHMSA…