EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 3/2/22
PIPELINE NEWS
Petoskey News-Review: 'Milestone moment' reached in Line 5 tunnel permitting case
Associated Press: Oil driller invests in carbon-capture pipeline for Midwest
Radio Iowa: Rural county’s chair urges state party to take a stand against carbon pipelines
Wayne Daily News: Planning Stages Addressed For Upcoming CO2 Pipeline, Courthouse Offices To Provide Updates During Future Meetings
RiverBender: Illinois Residents Have Opportunity To Learn About Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Risks, Other Issues
WFPL: Federal agency approved pipeline permits without looking at imperiled bat habitat
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: State, federal agencies investigating pipeline spill in Lawrenceville
Reuters: Pembina, KKR ink deals to boost western Canada gas infrastructure
World Pipelines: FERC seeks comment on oil pipeline capacity allocation practices
WASHINGTON UPDATES
CBS: RNC Chair to Biden: Restore Keystone pipeline, stop importing oil from Russia
Politico: SCOTUS SIGNALS STRICT EPA INTERPRETATION
Press release: Grassley, Colleagues Push To Ban Russian Oil Imports
EXTRACTION
Press release: ExxonMobil to Expand Carbon Capture and Storage at LaBarge, Wyoming, Facility
E&E News: Will the Russian invasion accelerate peak oil?
S&P Global: Methane ‘ultra-emitters’ offer oil, gas industry quick, significant way to reduce climate footprint
CLIMATE FINANCE
Reuters: Insurer AIG steps back from coal, Arctic energy underwriting
OPINION
Bloomberg: Fossil Fuels Link Russia and Climate Crises
The Hill: Former Navy secretary: The addiction to fossil fuels empowers Putin
National Observer: Canada’s carbon hypocrisy
PIPELINE NEWS
Petoskey News-Review: 'Milestone moment' reached in Line 5 tunnel permitting case
Tess Ware, 3/1/22
“A milestone moment occurred in an already historic legal case on Friday, Feb. 18. For the first time in Michigan history, the potential climate impacts of a proposed industrial installation were allowed to be considered during a permit hearing under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act,” the Petoskey News-Review reports. “In the Line 5 oil tunnel permitting case before the Michigan Public Service Commission, the Environmental Law and Policy Center and Michigan Climate Action Network were able to bring in economic and environmental science experts as witnesses. Those witnesses were Peter Erickson, senior scientist and climate policy program director at Stockholm Environment Institute, Peter Howard, economics director at the Institute for Policy Integrity at the New York University School of Law, Elizabeth Stanton, director and senior economist at the Applied Economics Clinic and Jonathan Overpeck, climate scientist and dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. They were meant to show that the climate damage caused by Enbridge’s Line 5 would exceed the environmental standards of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act and that feasible alternatives are available, which is a requirement of the protection act… “Overpeck testified that continuing to add greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels will worsen climate change in Michigan, the Great Lakes and the region. “That pipeline right now, it's just past its lifetime," Overpeck said. "It's not safe anymore sitting on the floor of our Great Lakes. And we have to stop putting liquid fuels in that pipeline. So it was proposed that we build this very expensive tunnel that would house new pipelines. And it's just crazy to do that if we're trying to fight climate change. And this tunnel would come online during a period when we're trying to rapidly reduce the use of fossil fuels and the emissions of carbon dioxide from those in use.”
Associated Press: Oil driller invests in carbon-capture pipeline for Midwest
By JAMES MacPHERSON, 3/2/22
“North Dakota's biggest oil driller said it will commit $250 million to help fund a proposed pipeline that would gather carbon dioxide produced by ethanol plants across the Midwest and pump it underground for permanent storage,” the Associated Press reports. “Billionaire oil tycoon Harold Hamm's Continental Resources was scheduled to make a formal announcement of the investment into Summit Carbon Solutions' $4.5 billion pipeline Wednesday morning at an ethanol plant in Casselton. The plant is one of 31 ethanol facilities across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas, where emissions would be captured and piped to western North Dakota and buried deep underground… “Summit’s Boeshans told AP the involvement of Hamm likely will help raise capital for the project… Summit also may explore other options for the gas, including injecting it into old oil wells to boost production, Boeshans told AP. But that process has been largely unsuccessful so far in North Dakota. Continental officials told AP they have no plans to use the gas for enhanced oil recovery.”
Radio Iowa: Rural county’s chair urges state party to take a stand against carbon pipelines
O. KAY HENDERSON, 2/28/22
“The chair of Calhoun County Democrats is urging the state party to take a stand against land seizures for the carbon pipelines being proposed in Iowa,” Radio Iowa reports.” Emma Schmit is a member of the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee. “Come out and support rural Iowa. We’ve seen Democrats continuously lose votes and this would be a huge opportunity to finally start moving that needle back,” Schmit told Radio Iowa. “Instead, we’re choosing to just sleep on the issue and ignore it.” This weekend, Schmit proposed that the Iowa Democratic Party’s governing board pass a resolution opposing development and construction of carbon pipelines, but it was tabled. “The debate was cut off almost instantaneously before we could even explain why it’s so critical that the Democratic Party speak out in support of the impacted landowners and the communities that are going to be threatened by these pipelines,” Schmit told Radio Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Party’s 2018 platform supports “carbon sequestration,” but opposes “eminent domain abuse.” Schmit told Radio Iowa there will be efforts this weekend at county conventions to try to ensure the Iowa Democratic Party’s 2022 Platform includes a plank opposing carbon pipelines, but Scmit argues no one reads the platform and a statement now from the party’s governing board would be more effective… “Erin Moynihan, a spokesperson for the Iowa Democratic Party, issued a written statement, saying a majority of the state central committee had decided against having the party a position for or against the carbon pipelines.”
Wayne Daily News: Planning Stages Addressed For Upcoming CO2 Pipeline, Courthouse Offices To Provide Updates During Future Meetings
Aaron Scheffler, 3/1/22
“Members of the public had several questions for a project manager with Summit Carbon Solutions on a future CO2 pipeline going through nearly 22 miles of Wayne County,” the Wayne Daily News reports. “...Dependent on permit approval in the state of Nebraska, Summit Carbon Solutions would like to begin construction later this year with the anticipations of being operational by July of 2024. The group is already two and a half months into land acquisition and are on track with their civil and environmental surveys… “Concerns from the public who attended the meeting were road modifications, type of pipe, how much CO2 will be produced from this project, abandonment plan, the Ponca Fault line, exploration to enhance oil recovery, disaster preparedness and more. County Attorney, Amy Miller, who also serves as attorney for the City of Wayne stated if this project comes within two miles of Wayne, Summit Carbon Solutions would have to request a use by exemption and approach city council.”
RiverBender: Illinois Residents Have Opportunity To Learn About Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Risks, Other Issues
3/1/22
“On March 7, Illinois residents will have the opportunity to learn about the risks faced by property owners and rural communities along the proposed path of the Navigator CO2 Pipeline,” RiverBender reports. “...The 1,300-mile-long CO2 pipeline is among the first of many expected to be proposed across the Midwest as part of a developing technology called carbon capture and storage. Despite very little public education on the proposed pipeline, representatives from Navigator CO2 Ventures will soon approach landowners in the path of the proposed pipeline to request a voluntary easement for their property. If landowners sign these voluntary easements now, they are waiving their rights for the future. To educate landowners and the public about the risks associated with the Navigator CO2 Pipeline, the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines is hosting an informational meeting on Monday, March 7, to review pipeline safety risks, property value concerns for landowners, lowered crop productivity, and eminent domain.”
WFPL: Federal agency approved pipeline permits without looking at imperiled bat habitat
By Ryan Van Velzer, 3/1/22
“It doesn’t take a biologist to understand that bats, generally speaking, live in caves. Two widely known facts about bats: they make caves their home, and they inspire masked vigilantes. But federal agencies failed to actually look in caves for imperiled bats while approving permits to build a natural gas pipeline in Kentucky,” WFPL reports. “A pair of environmental organizations announced Monday they plan to sue the federal government for permitting the proposed Bullitt County pipeline without fully considering the impacts on those imperiled bat species… “LG&E has received a number of major permits necessary for construction. Among them are federal permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But on Monday, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Kentucky Resources Council alleged those federal agencies didn’t do the necessary research to understand how the pipeline would affect habitat for Indiana bats, northern long-eared bats and gray bats, all of which are listed as threatened or endangered. “This issue is that no one ever did a scientifically legitimate search for caves,” Perrin de Jong, Center for Biological Diversity staff attorney, told WFPL.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: State, federal agencies investigating pipeline spill in Lawrenceville
Drew Kann, 3/1/22
“A leak from a major pipeline that serves Georgia and other southeastern states spilled hundreds of gallons of fuel into a residential neighborhood in Lawrenceville last week,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. “While residents in the Grayland Hills subdivision had reported smelling an odor for weeks, the oil leak was not discovered until February 22, according to preliminary findings compiled by the federal government’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The source of the spill was identified as the Products (SE) Pipe Line, which transports about 720,000 barrels per day of diesel and gasoline to metro areas along its route from Louisiana to Washington, D.C. The pipeline is operated by Kinder Morgan, the “largest independent transporter of petroleum products in North America,” according to the company’s website. A Kinder Morgan spokesperson said the company estimates the spill resulted in the release of around 420 gallons. Initial findings show that the fuel did not escape into a nearby creek. Kinder Morgan’s vice president of public affairs told the Lawrenceville City Council Monday that six families were evacuated. He said they have returned to their homes.”
Reuters: Pembina, KKR ink deals to boost western Canada gas infrastructure
3/1/22
“Pembina Pipeline Corp (PPL.TO) and KKR & Co (KKR.N) will merge their western Canadian gas processing assets in a joint venture that will also buy Energy Transfer LP's (ET.N) holdings in the region, in deals worth C$11.4 billion ($8.99 billion),” Reuters reports. “Tuesday's deals provide Pembina a greater exposure to rising natural gas volumes in the area, the company said, allowing it to tap into surging prices for the commodity when the industry is facing a shortage of transport capacity. The pipeline operator said it expects natural gas processing capacity of the combined venture to be about 5 billion cubic feet per day, or about 16% of Western Canada's total processing capacity… “Pembina will operate the new company and own 60% of the venture while KKR's global infrastructure funds will own the rest. As part of the deals, the combined company will buy Energy Transfer LP's (ET.N) 51% stake in Energy Transfer Canada, with the rest already owned by KKR's funds. The new company will also include the Veresen Midstream business, in which funds managed by KKR have a 55% stake while Pembina owns the rest… “Pembina said it intends to sell its interest in its Key Access Pipeline System to finance the deal, and is evaluating its portfolio to look for other non-core, non-operating assets to sell.”
World Pipelines: FERC seeks comment on oil pipeline capacity allocation practices
Sara Simper, 3/1/22
“FERC is exploring the issue of oil pipeline capacity allocation problems that can arise when irregular events or factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, affect demand for oil pipeline capacity,” World Pipelines reports. “Specifically, the Commission is responding to concerns regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on jet fuel shippers’ ability to access pipeline capacity for supplying airports. The Commission is seeking comments on what, if anything, the Commission should consider in addressing those issues. In today’s notice of inquiry (NOI), the Commission is asking the public to comment on whether to consider changes to existing policies, such as relying on historical use when allocating pro-rationed oil pipeline capacity, given the impact anomalous conditions can have on previous pipeline capacity demand. The Commission is also seeking comment on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the availability of pipeline capacity for transporting jet fuel… “Initial comments on the NOI are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, with reply comments due 90 after publication in the Federal Register.”
WASHINGTON UPDATES
CBS: RNC Chair to Biden: Restore Keystone pipeline, stop importing oil from Russia
ELISSA SALAMY, 3/1/22
“President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union is Tuesday night, and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel says she’s hoping Biden will “address the concerns of the American people,” CBS reports. “...When it comes to restoring trust in the U.S., McDaniel said economic sanctions and removing Russia from the SWIFT bank system have been beneficial. “But Germany's really been the one leading, it hasn't been the U.S. leading. But we do need to be united against this aggressor. And I think if the Biden administration would restore the Keystone pipeline – if they would say, 'Yes, we're going to resume drilling of oil and gas and we're going to stop importing from Russia,' I think that would be a very strong and decisive move for this administration,” said McDaniel. Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline on January 21, 2021, after years of activists calling for the end of the pipeline due to environmental concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. The pipeline, which would have stretched from Canada to Texas, also faced opposition from indigenous communities and business owners along the route of the pipeline.”
Politico: SCOTUS SIGNALS STRICT EPA INTERPRETATION
Matthew Choi, 3/1/22
“The Supreme Court doesn’t look like it will embrace EPA’s interpretation of its authority on regulating power plant pollution after Monday’s arguments,” Politico reports. “The high court spent much of the day questioning how far the agency’s powers go beyond what is explicitly instructed by Congress — the crux of Republicans’ arguments in their challenge of EPA’s pollution reduction agenda. While the court’s liberal minority appeared to support the administration’s goals in combating planet warming emissions from the power sector, the conservative justices raised a common critique that the administration was merely doing what it couldn’t get done through legislation… “Depending on how the justices rule, the case could go beyond EPA’s climate priorities into the government’s ability to regulate a broad variety of issues. That would even further narrow Democrats’ options for addressing climate change through the power sector after the collapse of their Clean Electricity Performance Program and the stalling of BBB.”
Press release: Grassley, Colleagues Push To Ban Russian Oil Imports
3/2/22
“Today, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Roger Marshal (R-Kan.) in introducing legislation to ban purchases of Russian oil. The legislation comes ahead of President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address and in response to Russia’s unjustifiable war against the sovereign nation of Ukraine. “As Putin continues bombing Ukraine and murdering innocent civilians, there is no reason we should be supporting any sector of Russia’s economy. We must immediately halt all imports of Russian oil, and instead return to being energy independent by undoing President Biden’s harmful energy policies,” Grassley said. Energy Committee ranking member Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) are also cosponsors of the legislation.”
EXTRACTION
Press release: ExxonMobil to Expand Carbon Capture and Storage at LaBarge, Wyoming, Facility
2/25/22
“ExxonMobil has made a final investment decision to expand carbon capture and storage at its LaBarge, Wyoming, facility, which has captured more CO2 than any other facility in the world to date. The expansion project will capture up to 1.2 million metric tons of CO2, in addition to the 6-7 million metric tons captured at LaBarge each year. “By expanding carbon capture and storage at LaBarge, we can reduce emissions from our operations and continue to demonstrate the large-scale capability for carbon capture and storage to address emissions from vital sectors of the global economy, including industrial manufacturing.” ExxonMobil completed front-end engineering and design work for the project in December 2021 and expects to issue the engineering, procurement and construction contract in March. Pending regulatory approvals, startup is estimated in 2025. The expansion is part of the company’s 2030 emission-reduction plans and supports the company’s ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) for its operated assets by 2050. By capturing an additional 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 each year, ExxonMobil can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its upstream operated emissions by 3%. The LaBarge facility currently captures nearly 20% of all human-made CO2 captured in the world each year.
E&E News: Will the Russian invasion accelerate peak oil?
By Benjamin Storrow, 3/2/22
“It was 1973 when a war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led Saudi Arabia and other oil producers to impose an embargo on crude shipments to the United States. Oil prices soared, and the way the world consumed energy changed,” E&E News reports. “A half-century later, another conflict is roiling global energy markets. The question now is how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will change the world’s energy system… “Some analysts say the attack on Ukraine could speed the world’s transition away from fossil fuels, especially in Europe. Others say the war could reveal just how dependent people are on fossil fuels… “German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this week that the country will accelerate by 15 years its timeline to generate almost all its power from renewables by 2035. “The stuff coming out of the mouths of European leaders has never come out of their leaders’ mouths before,” Tsafos told E&E. “There is a different strategic resolve coming out of Europe, and if you’re not factoring that into your model, I think you’re missing something… Whatever you thought hydrocarbon demand was last week, it’s less now.” Yet others told E&E there is little evidence to support the idea that the world will use the crisis to accelerate away from fossil fuels. The proliferation of climate pledges in recent years has come against the backdrop of soaring fossil fuel consumption. The International Energy Agency estimates oil demand will surpass pre-pandemic levels this year.”
S&P Global: Methane ‘ultra-emitters’ offer oil, gas industry quick, significant way to reduce climate footprint
Jasmin Melvin, 3/1/22
“Using satellite data from 2019 and 2020, a team of French and US researchers created the first systematic estimate of large methane leaks that can only be seen from space,” S&P Global reports. “They detected about 1,800 so-called "ultra-emitters" over the two years, of which roughly 1,200 came from oil and gas facilities. Those high-emitting events, which are normally undetectable and not accounted for in national greenhouse gas inventories, represented as much as 12% of global methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, according to their study. Senior editor Jasmin Melvin spoke with Antoine Halff, co-founder and chief analyst at Kayrros, a French data analytics company that supplied the data that the study was based on, about the prevalence and causes of oil and gas "ultra-emitters" and the climate benefits as well as business opportunities that could come from greater use of satellites to detect and address these emissions.”
CLIMATE FINANCE
Reuters: Insurer AIG steps back from coal, Arctic energy underwriting
3/1/22
“U.S. insurer American International Group (AIG.N) said on Tuesday it would no longer provide underwriting services and investments for the construction of any new coal-fired power plants, thermal coal mines or oil sands,” Reuters reports. “The company also said it would stop providing insurance cover and investments for any new Arctic energy exploration activities. It also revealed a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its global underwriting and investment portfolios by 2050. "As one of the last major insurers without restrictions on coal insurance, AIG's new commitments to reduce underwriting for coal, tar sands oil, and Arctic oil and gas are a major step forward for people and the planet," Hannah Saggau, an insurance campaigner with Public Citizen, an influential consumer advocacy group, told Reuters… “AIG said on Tuesday it would phase out the underwriting of all existing operation insurance risks and cease new investments in clients that derive 30% or more of their revenues from coal-fired power, thermal coal mines or oil sands, or generate more than 30% of their energy production from coal by Jan. 1, 2030 or sooner.”
OPINION
Bloomberg: Fossil Fuels Link Russia and Climate Crises
Mustafa Santiago Ali (Ph.D.), is vice president for Environmental Justice, Climate and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation. He served as assistant associate administrator in the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice for more than two decades, 3/1/22
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlights the importance of the world reducing its dependence on oil and natural gas,” Mustafa Santiago Ali writes for Bloomberg. “...The Biden administration is understandably and immediately focused on how to bolster our allies in Europe against the threat of Russian military aggression, but it needs to strive at home to act on the climate crisis… “Just as Putin’s actions are displacing the Ukrainian people—creating a new refugee crisis with more than half a million people fleeing the country, with racism exacerbating the challenges facing Black and Asian peoples trying to leave the war zone—so will the further utilization of fossil fuels on the global scale… “Now is the moment for bold and transformative climate solutions. President Biden’s regulatory reforms and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law, have taken important first steps toward reducing carbon emissions and advancing clean energy solutions. This administration has made historic investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, passenger rail, and public transit, and natural infrastructure and natural carbon sequestration… “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is just another reason the Biden administration and its allies in Congress must be laser-focused on advancing the climate, clean energy, and environmental justice provisions in the Build Back Better Act as soon as possible… “We will never fully break Putin’s stranglehold on Ukraine, Europe, and the rest of the world unless and until we reduce our collective dependence on the oil, natural gas, and other resources fueling and funding Russia’s aggression.”
The Hill: Former Navy secretary: The addiction to fossil fuels empowers Putin
Ray Mabus is a former secretary of the Navy, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and governor of Mississippi, 3/2/22
“The motivations behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine are unclear, but nothing could be clearer than his power over Europe because of its dependence on his oil and gas,” Ray Mabus writes for The Hill. “...The way to fight Putin, in the long run, is to shift the world economy away from the oil and gas that keeps him affluent, armed and arrogant. Whatever we do in the days ahead to support our European allies — and we should do everything we can — we must also move swiftly to end the world’s addiction to fossil fuels… “But barely 24 hours after Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine, some supporters of former President Trump started making an argument so bizarrely contrary to the truth that George Orwell would have rejected it as too laughable. Somehow, their argument goes: President Biden’s work to move the world to home-grown clean energy like wind and solar — and to remove the very leverage that gives Putin much of his power — enabled the invasion of Ukraine. In their view, the way to blunt Putin is to actually increase the world’s dependence on the oil and gas that is his regime’s primary source of wealth and power. The United States, by marginally increasing its output of fossil fuels, would ostensibly gain leverage over Russia. Of course, the exact opposite is true. Only by pushing the world economy to renewable sources like wind and solar — which are controlled locally and essentially bulletproof from foreign manipulation — can nations regain their economic sovereignty… “Biden’s leadership to move us away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy is exactly what’s needed to protect our national security and regain our energy independence. Climate change is a national security issue. Our dependence on fossil fuels is a national security issue. This administration’s actions are long overdue and will move us toward a more stable, healthier, safer world.”
National Observer: Canada’s carbon hypocrisy
By Ross Belot, 3/2/22
“Some of our oilsands producers like to tell the story about how they are going to reduce greenhouse gases emitted during production to net-zero by 2050,” Ross Belot writes for the National Observer. “...But here’s the part they neglect to talk about — the carbon in the material they extract. They completely ignore that when using the phrase “net-zero.” “...When our fossil fuel producers talk about net-zero, they only talk about Scope 1 (their emissions) and maybe Scope 2 (their suppliers’ emissions). They are careful to ignore Scope 3 (the carbon contained in their products). Scope 3 has now become a hot topic worldwide. In Europe, BP, Total and other fossil fuel producers have committed to net-zero for Scope 1 to 3 inclusive, a commitment taken so seriously, it requires those corporations to reinvent themselves… “In Canada, not so much. Companies like Suncor and Imperial Oil have started reporting their Scope 3 emissions, but are silent on doing anything about them. So, here in Canada, no talk of Scope 3 management for a true net-zero. No reinvention of the oil and gas industry… “Imagine if Canada told oil and natural gas producers that to produce their product here — even for export — they must do something to deal with the GHG that results when it’s used. They’d become very creative and those that couldn’t adapt would quickly go out of business. In Canada that sounds crazy, right? But it’s happening in Europe and we need to ask ourselves why we don’t think that way here. Climate change is a crisis and it’s critical we too reinvent Canada’s energy industry very soon. When we say net-zero, we should truly mean net-zero.”