Columbus, OH -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notified Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) that it was conducting an investigation into the construction of the fracked gas Rover pipeline. The investigation comes as the Ohio EPA discovered the presence of petroleum hydrocarbon constituents, which are commonly found in diesel fluid, among the fluid ETP spilled near the Tuscarawas River during construction.
ANCHORAGE – Interior Secretary Zinke today signed a Secretarial Order opening the Arctic to increased oil and gas production. The Order initiates a review of the sensitive coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas development and aims to increase drilling in the Western Arctic.
In response Lena Moffitt, director of the Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign issued the following statement.
Washington, DC -- Late yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected Energy Transfer Partners’ request to resume horizontal directional drilling at two sites for its Rover fracked gas pipeline. This rejection comes after numerous leaks into Ohio’s wetlands, and Clean Air and Clean Water act violations. FERC has halted the process at only eight locations of the 32 where drilling is taking place under Ohio’s wetlands and streams.
Mead, Colorado -- Late yesterday, an oil tanker in Mead, CO exploded, killing one and injuring three. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion.
Minneapolis, MN -- Today, the Minnesota Department of Commerce released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Enbridge’s Line 3 Pipeline. The proposed tar sands pipeline has faced widespread backlash from communities for the proposed reroute and expansion of a section of the pipeline through the Mississippi headwaters and treaty protected wild rice waters and issues with abandonment of the aging current-Line 3 section.
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. Senate defeated a vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. Senator Michael Bennet voted against the bill while Senator Cory Gardner voted in favor of nullifying the rule.
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. Senate defeated a vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. Senator John McCain voted against the bill while Senator Jeff Flake voted in favor of nullifying the rule.
In response, Sierra Club Arizona Chapter Director Sandy Bahr released the following statement:
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. Senate voted down a vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto voted against the bill while Senator Dean Heller voted in favor of nullifying the rule.
Washington, DC -- Today, every Senate Democrat and three Senate Republicans voted against a procedural vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. The three Senate Republicans voting against the bill were Senators Susan Collins, Lindsay Graham and, John McCain.
Washington, DC -- Last night, Senator Rob Portman (OH) announced support for a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) methane waste prevention rule. The rule curbs methane pollution from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands, preventing waste and reducing the health effects of methane pollution on nearby communities. Senator Portman credited his decision to support nullifying the rule based on concessions from Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to take action on methane.
York, NE -- Today, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is holding its lone public comment meeting along the proposed path of the Keystone XL pipeline. The meeting is offering Nebraskans the opportunity to debate whether it should grant TransCanada the permit necessary to construct the pipeline. While hundreds showed up to the meeting today, the Public Service Commission is only allowing fewer than 150 Nebraskans to speak.
Today, the Minnesota Department of Commerce submitted testimony to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Enbridge’s certificate of need application for its proposed Line 3 tar sands pipeline expansion project. The PUC will be accepting public comments over the next few months and is expected to make a decision next spring.