Written by:
Brennan Weintraub -
Research Assistant
Jackie Schweichler -
Staff Attorney
The following
information is an update of recent local, state, national, and international
legal developments relevant to shale gas.
LNG Exports: Driftwood
LNG Export Project Receives FERC Authorization
On April 18, 2019, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted its authorization for the proposed Driftwood LNG export project
to be constructed south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. When the project is completed, it is expected to have an export capacity of up
to 27.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas per year and will serve both
domestic and foreign markets. The project will include the construction of a
96-mile pipeline, a 3.4-mile lateral pipeline, and fifteen meter stations.
The project will also include three new compressor stations to transport
natural gas to the Driftwood site for liquefaction and eventual export.
National Energy
Policy: EPA Declines to Include Oil and Gas in RCRA Regulations
On April 24, 2019, the
Environmental Protection Agency announced that, following extensive review, it would not be amending its
policy excluding oil and gas waste from federal environmental regulations under
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (p.155-56). The original decision to
exclude these wastes from RCRA regulation, made in 1988, relied on cooperation
between the agency and the states to improve existing state waste management
programs (p.152-53). After being sued in 2016 for its failure to revise these
regulations, EPA undertook a study of state regulations and the development of
the industry in the intervening years (p.152-53). The agency ultimately determined
that existing state regulatory systems are sufficient to handle the waste
produced and that revisions to the existing EPA policy are not necessary at
this time (p.155-56).
LNG Exports: FERC
Issues FEIS for Annova Brownsville LNG Export Project
On April 19, 2019, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final environmental impact statement for the proposed Annova
Brownsville LNG export terminal on the Texas Gulf Coast. The proposed terminal, which will be built on the Brownsville Ship Channel near the
Gulf of Mexico, is expected to have an export capacity of 6.95 million tons of
liquefied natural gas per year. FERC determined that, while there would be
significant adverse environmental impacts associated with the project,
including to several federally listed species, the impacts could be reduced
through mitigation measures.
State Regulation:
Washington State Legislature Passes Bill Requiring 100 Percent Clean Energy by
2045
On April 22, 2019, the
Washington State Legislature gave final approval to SB5116, which requires the state to eliminate coal-fired electricity
production by 2025, achieve carbon-neutral production by 2030, and entirely attain
carbon-free energy production by 2045 (p.1). The bill also requires electric
utilities to make energy assistance funds available to low-income households
beginning in July of 2021 (p.28-30). The bill has now been sent to the desk of
Governor Jay Inslee, who indicated in a news release that he plans to sign the bill.
From the National Oil
& Gas Law Experts:
Pennsylvania
Legislation:
SB 584: would require the use of fiber optics to monitor pressure
changes and vibrations in pipelines to indicate leaks or impacts (Referred to Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure - April 25, 2019)
“Methane hearing draws concern over state rules, talk of
promising new technology” - StateImpact Pennsylvania
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