Analyzing the Supreme Court’s PennEast Pipeline v. NJ Decision
The Supreme Court decision from earlier this week allowing PennEast Pipeline to use the federally delegated power of eminent domain to cross tiny pieces of land owned (or controlled by) New Jersey is still reverberating across the country (see PennEast Pipeline Squeaks Out 5-4 Supreme Court Victory Over NJ). Antis were quick to dismiss the decision, saying it’s “not the final word” on whether the project will get built. They’re missing (or intentionally obfuscating) the point. We have two excellent analyses of the court’s decision and how it will affect not only the prospects for finishing PennEast, but the prospects for other (future) pipeline projects. We even have insight into how this decision affects projects other than pipelines.
Read More “Analyzing the Supreme Court’s PennEast Pipeline v. NJ Decision”
As encouraging (indeed critical) as this week’s Supreme Court decision was and is for the PennEast Pipeline, a 120-mile 1.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) pipeline from northeastern Pennsylvania to New Jersey, the court victory does not automatically mean the pipeline will get built. Not one square inch of pipe has been laid yet. What are the potential obstacles that could derail the project?
In April, CNX Resources Corp. announced instead of just blowing smoke about ESG (environmental, social, governance) with pretty slide shows and hoopla, they would donate $30 million to local, underserved communities and populations in the tri-state region (see 
With all of this blather about ESG (environmental, social, governance) and net zero and so-called “renewable” natural gas (RNG), has anyone stepped back to ask the question, Will utility companies (and their ratepayers) actually pay more for green gas? Reuters has asked the question and it seems that right now, the answer is a resounding NO!
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: NYC hates nuclear power and natural gas – now they have to turn off their air conditioners; NATIONAL: US weekly LNG exports and Henry Hub price rise; Shadow lenders take over in the U.S. shale patch; Video: China, Universities & Climate Change; INTERNATIONAL: Oil prices end trading day above $75; Global natural gas benchmarks to rise through 2023 amid supply deficit.
More details have emerged from what has to be one of the oddest combinations in recent memory–the merger of Permian driller Cimarex Energy with Marcellus driller Cabot Oil & Gas (see 
Earlier this month MDN brought you the sad news that Enbridge’s Texas Eastern Transmission (TETCO) pipeline is being flow-restricted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA). Some 40% of the Marcellus/Utica molecules that flow through TETCO’s pipeline to destinations in the southeastern U.S. have disappeared and will stay that way until the end of September (see 
Yesterday, National Grid issued its Natural Gas Long-Term Capacity Second Supplemental Report (full copy below). The report reaffirms the company’s commitment to achieving a mythical so-called “net zero carbon” future. Whatever. The report provides an update on the short- and long-term energy needs of downstate New York customers, reviews the status of targeted solutions identified by the company in 2020, and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that no customer is left behind during the transition to a magical net zero future. How will they accomplish it? According to this updated report, with *more* natural gas.
Yesterday MDN brought you the news that the U.S. Supreme Court decided that yes, the PennEast Pipeline *can* use federally-delegated eminent domain in order to install a pipeline across New Jersey state-owned land after all (see 
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just published its 2020 Oil and Gas Annual Report. This is the fifth year in a row the DEP has published the report in an interactive, electronic (i.e.online) format ONLY. Don’t worry, we’ve turned it into a convenient PDF for MDN readers. What does the 2020 report show? While permits issued and the number of new wells drilled have both gone down (again), gas production has gone up (again)–to a new record high.
From the “mankind has gone collectively insane” file: Some two dozen utility companies, including Dominion Energy and Sempra Energy, are experimenting/dipping their toe in the water of mixing super-explosive hydrogen with methane (natural gas) in extremely small quantities on the theory that one day, hydrogen can replace natural gas in existing pipelines and infrastructure. H2 can’t and won’t replace CH4, but hey, these companies at least have to show they’re trying or risk being sued into oblivion by woke leftists who claim mankind is burning the earth by burning fossil fuels. Yes, collectively mankind has officially gone mad…
As we previously predicted would happen, New Jersey lost its Supreme Court case to block PennEast Pipeline from using eminent domain to cross NJ-owned or controlled land. This was a critical case to prevent blue states like NJ, and New York, and California from blocking ALL new interstate pipelines aimed at crossing states to deliver product from other states. NJ’s lawless action was an overt attempt at blocking interstate commerce and a direct challenge to one of the purposes of the Natural Gas Act, passed in 1938. Disappointingly PennEast won by only one vote. Still, it’s a victory!
Last October MDN told you that DTE Energy, a long-time pipeline builder and operator in the Marcellus/Utica region, was considering either selling or spinning off its pipeline business (see 