PIPELINE NEWS
Unicorn Riot: Canadian Oil Giant Enbridge Builds Unauthorized Pipeline Bypass Following 1.3 Million Gallon Spill
Wisconsin Public Radio: FBI leads probe into fire at Enbridge drill site on Line 5 reroute in northern Wisconsin
Santa Barbara News-Press: Santa Barbara County pushes back on potential land seizures over Santa Ynez Pipeline System
News Channel Nebraska: Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners stunned by new CO2 pipeline
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Columbus landowner fights part of 291-mile, $3.2 billion Southern Company gas pipeline
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Why a proposed Southern Natural Gas pipeline faces so much backlash across Georgia
Pipeline & Gas Journal: 111-mile Mississippi natural gas pipeline clears federal permitting
Data Center Dynamics: Woodway to build 22-mile gas pipeline for undisclosed data center in US
Guardian: Activists and leaders reflect on Standing Rock a decade on: ‘I would do it again’
Canadian Press: Ottawa opens up 15% Trans Mountain equity stake to Indigenous groups on pipeline path
Bloomberg: Carney’s 15% Pipeline Stake Offer Get Pushback From Indigenous Groups
Community Impact: Quail Valley North Park closed for pipeline repairs
NBC Los Angeles: East LA community still grapples with oil spill from June [VIDEO]
WASHINGTON UPDATES
Jake Sherman on X: W.H. says permit reform talks have broken down
Politico: Permitting talks on the brink as frustrations grow
Politico: Senators weigh staying in town to vote on data center bill
Politico: White House diesel tensions spill over at Climate Week
Politico: Diesel export fight strains GOP ties with Big Oil
STATE UPDATES
KXNET: 1,500 barrels of produced water spilled south of Dickinson
EXTRACTION
DeSmog: Suncor Helped Lead Climate Denial Group Spreading ‘Uncertainties’
Harvard Media: Federal energy minister says Bill C-39 will transform oilsands approval process
Alberta Native News: Carbon capture conference side panel discusses Indigenous partnership
Hydrogen Insight: Uniper signs ‘one of the largest’ offtake deals for green hydrogen-based aviation fuel
USA Today: Middle East sees growing oil spill threat as Iran war continues
PBS Frontline: Inside the Biggest Oil Spill You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
OPINION
Houston Chronicle: Bad news for Texas: Republicans are now anti-growth
PIPELINE NEWS
Unicorn Riot: Canadian Oil Giant Enbridge Builds Unauthorized Pipeline Bypass Following 1.3 Million Gallon Spill
Devon Cupery, Hannes Brunner, and Scott Russell, 9/22/26
“The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) repeatedly requested Enbridge keep its Line 5 pipeline shut down following the largest oil and gas spill in state history on Aug. 25. Enbridge defied the requests,” Unicorn Riot reports. “Without receiving the required permits, it built a new pipeline to bypass the rupture and restarted Line 5’s operations. Enbridge’s actions raise serious questions about the state’s ability to regulate large, multinational corporations and its willingness to enforce its permits. Bad River Tribal Chair Liz Arbuckle asked DNR officials if the permits meant anything at all: “What are the consequences if they are violated?” Arbuckle told Unicorn Riot the DNR representatives gave evasive responses. They told tribal leaders they are continuing to work with Enbridge in the permitting process… “DNR Sec. Karen Hyun and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have criticized Enbridge’s conduct, but so far they have stopped short of meaningful enforcement action, such as revoking permits or taking legal action… “People living near the pipeline have been unsatisfied with the DNR’s construction oversight. Bad River Tribal Member Joe Bates and others have taken it upon themselves to keep an eye on things and make sure that spills and violations are promptly reported. It is worth noting that Bates’ drone footage of the spill made international headlines.”
Wisconsin Public Radio: FBI leads probe into fire at Enbridge drill site on Line 5 reroute in northern Wisconsin
Danielle Kaeding, 9/23/26
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading a probe into a fire that occurred last week at a drilling site for Enbridge’s reroute of its Line 5 oil and gas pipeline, as well as a fire at the company’s office in Superior,” Wisconsin Public Radio reports. “Last Thursday, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland Fire Department were called to a fire involving an equipment trailer and two boring machines in the Ashland County town of Gingles… “A separate fire occurred Sept. 14 at the company’s Great Lakes office in Superior, which was in the process of being sold to the private school Superior Learning Academy… “These incidents were neither legal nor peaceful,” Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner told WPR. “Illegal and unsafe acts by criminal saboteurs endanger themselves, the local community, first responders and our workers. We take these incidents very seriously and will seek the prosecution of those individuals involved to the fullest extent of the law.” “...The fires come weeks after an Aug. 25 gas leak on Enbridge’s Line 5 in the Iron County town of Saxon… “A DNR spokesperson told WPR the agency continues to evaluate all options in response to unpermitted construction.”
Santa Barbara News-Press: Santa Barbara County pushes back on potential land seizures over Santa Ynez Pipeline System
Tom Schultz and Julianna Lozada, 9/22/26
“Elected officials on Tuesday took aim at a federal proposal to acquire or seize land and wrangle more control over oil pipelines in Santa Barbara County,” the Santa Barbara News-Press reports. “In a 3-1 vote, the county Board of Supervisors opposed language in the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act passed July 22 by the U.S. House of Representatives. An amendment to that $1.15 trillion spending plan by Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) would explicitly allow the U.S. secretary of defense to acquire easements—via land purchase, donation, trade or condemnation—over the route of the Santa Ynez Pipeline System. “The Hunt amendment would set a terrible precedent, by allowing the federal government to seize California public lands through eminent domain,” Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), told the board. “Sable is asking its allies in Congress to rig the system in its favor.” Across town, Santa Barbara environmental groups announced a fresh lawsuit in their fight against Sable Offshore Corp., the Houston-based firm pumping crude from the Santa Barbara Channel since March. The Santa Barbara-based Environmental Defense Center (EDC) filed the new suit on behalf of Get Oil Out!, Santa Barbara County Action Network, Sierra Club and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The lawsuit challenges a permit the U.S. Department of Transportation issued Sable on June 25… “With as many as 50,000 barrels of crude flowing through daily, Sable opponents say the revelation that the pipeline might be fragile—yet operating—is alarming… “To lodge supervisors’ opposition to the Hunt amendment, county officials will send a letter to Senate leadership.”
News Channel Nebraska: Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners stunned by new CO2 pipeline
Brendan Preisman, 9/23/26
“The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners meeting began on Monday morning in a fairly typical way…But after Summit Carbon Solutions’ Matt Bright stepped to the podium to provide information about the company’s latest carbon pipeline plans, the meeting went from routine to downright contentious,” News Channel Nebraska reports. “I’ve got a lot of issues with this,” board chairman Philip Sanders said. “This whole project seems like it’s trying to float under the radar and be done as quietly as possible.” “...It wasn’t coming through until the route got changed.” “...Where have you guys been? Because I have been bombarded with phone calls and people confronting me,” Sanders demanded of Bright. “I don’t have a clue what’s going on.” “ …He responded that he wasn’t sure, but also said “There could be one landowner along the line that doesn’t want it to go through their property.” Terman responded simply “Can you blame them?” “...He also explained that even that route isn’t yet set in stone, and that he would be back “many” times in order to continue keeping the board up to date. Sanders was grateful, but still rather miffed… “He also told Bright that he thought it would be better if Summit Carbon was “up front with people”, to which Bright responded “That’s why I’m here today. We’re trying to get in front of it.” Bright said that he would be back to the board of commissioners with more information after the company settled on a route, which he expects to happen sometime in the next few months.”
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Columbus landowner fights part of 291-mile, $3.2 billion Southern Company gas pipeline
Kala Hunter, 9/24/26
“...At 82 and retired, Peek has battled the past year with Southern Natural Gas over part of a proposed pipeline that would run through 2.5 miles of his land,” the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports. “Peek is one of approximately 650 landowners who are impacted by Kinder Morgan and Southern Company’s proposed SSE4 pipeline (South System Expansion 4), Kinder Morgan vice president of corporate communications Allen Fore, told the L-E… “Peek doesn’t want the burden of the entire line. But SNG said they would offer $300,000 as long as he could get the other three neighbors to get on board with Peek’s concept of following the Dixie Pipeline right-of-way. “That is the craziest damn thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” he told the L-E. “They want me to do their job for them.” Still, Peek entertained the idea and approached Lane, who told Peek it didn’t matter how much money Peek offered; he would not accept the proposed SSE4 pipeline on his property, Peek told the L-E… “Not only is he bearing the burden of more pipeline on his land due to SNG’s impact to their “more landowners” rationale and a potential “exemption,” Peek told the L-E, but the deviation is more expensive — by millions of dollars — so it doesn’t make economic sense for Kinder Morgan or Southern Company.”
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Why a proposed Southern Natural Gas pipeline faces so much backlash across Georgia
Kala Hunter, 9/23/26
“This summer, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a $5.2 billion project to build a 500-mile pipeline across the South,” the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports. “The pipeline would transport methane gas to feed electricity-generating plants. Legal parties, intervenors and residents across Georgia have challenged the project, calling it unnecessary, harmful and burdensome. This challenge, called a rehearing, is their final plea to FERC to reverse the certification of Kinder Morgan’s SSE4 (the South System Expansion 4) and Mississippi Crossing (MSX) gas pipeline… “Not only is it not needed, according to Gibson, but the entire review process has been “truncated” in her experience… “She told L-E FERC “refused to look under the hood at various things, including incomplete studies,” and FERC “didn’t do its job.” So SELC requested a rehearing… “The true cost of this massive, misguided methane expansion won’t just show up on Georgians’ utility bills,” Marqus Cole, organizing director for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, told the L-E. “It will be paid by the rivers and streams that supply our drinking water as this pipeline cuts across six major watersheds. It will be paid by nearby communities forced to breathe pollution from compressor stations. And it will be paid for decades to come as we lock ourselves into fossil fuel infrastructure that drives climate change long after cleaner, more affordable alternatives are available.”
Pipeline & Gas Journal: 111-mile Mississippi natural gas pipeline clears federal permitting
9/23/26
“The Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project has completed federal permitting, clearing a key regulatory milestone for approximately 111 miles of new natural gas pipeline infrastructure in Mississippi,” Pipeline & Gas Journal reports. “ The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council said the project’s environmental review and permitting process was completed Sept. 21. FERC previously authorized the project on Sept. 10, allowing Gulf South Pipeline Co. and Texas Gas Transmission, both subsidiaries of Boardwalk Pipelines, to construct and operate the new facilities. The project includes approximately 110.9 miles of new 36-inch natural gas pipeline and about 700 feet of 20-inch lateral pipeline. Plans also call for two new natural gas-fired compressor stations, modifications to existing compressor facilities and new meter stations. The pipeline will cross nine Mississippi counties… ”Gulf South and Texas Gas previously proposed beginning construction in December 2026, subject to required approvals and clearances, with service targeted for April 28, 2028.”
Data Center Dynamics: Woodway to build 22-mile gas pipeline for undisclosed data center in US
Zachary Skidmore, 9/24/26
“Houston-based natural gas firm Woodway Energy Infrastructure is set to construct a 22-mile (35.4km), 30-inch (76.2cm) natural gas pipeline to serve an undisclosed US data center behind-the-meter,” Data Center Dynamics reports. “The pipeline is expected to enter commercial service in the first half of 2028, subject to customary regulatory reviews and approvals… “According to the company, the pipeline will be built around the data center customers’ specific requirements and will have an option for extension… ”Data centers are increasingly turning to natural gas to power their installations, as interconnection queues stretch into the 2030s.”
Guardian: Activists and leaders reflect on Standing Rock a decade on: ‘I would do it again’
Sophie Sullivan, 9/22/26
“Ten years after major demonstrations against the Dakota Access pipeline, tribal leaders and Native American organizers returned to the Standing Rock Sioux reservation this week to honor the movement and its lasting impacts,” the Guardian reports. “In the rural reservation area of Fort Yates, a four-day encampment that centered on the phrase “mní wičóni” – “water is life” – brought together about 150 tribal members and allies for meals, drum circles, sacred ceremonies and memorials… “In a powerful moment Thursday evening, Manape LaMere – an original headsman from the 2016 council and a member of the Sioux nation – retrieved the original coals and lit the fire as he had 10 years ago… “Reunion attendees, at open mic sessions or around fire pits, reflected on how the often-violent standoffs between protesters and law enforcement in 2016 left many with lingering trauma, like for Candi Brings Plenty, a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux nation. But, Brings Plenty said, while the event left scars, the community formed among camps has created lifelong strength… “Speakers and panelists said that the protests 10 years ago underscored the need for Native reservations to build more sustainable energy systems that align with tribal values… “In support of the People of the Sun event was the actor Shailene Woodley, whose arrest at the protest 10 years ago spurred additional public discourse around the pipeline. “Do your research. Learn about the history, the real history of what happened to this country when our ancestors chose to colonize this land. And not from a place of guilt, not from a place of shame, but from a place of empowerment,” Woodley told the Guardian.”
Canadian Press: Ottawa opens up 15% Trans Mountain equity stake to Indigenous groups on pipeline path
Brett Bundale, 9/22/26
“The Canadian government is offering Indigenous groups a collective 15 per cent ownership stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline through a low-cost loan,” the Canadian Press reports. “In a letter to a First Nation along the pipeline’s path and seen by The Canadian Press, a federal Department of Finance official says the equity investment would be equally distributed among participating groups… “The official says the government will provide the affected Indigenous communities with up to $100,000 to support such expenses as travel, office space rental and equipment through March 2028.”
Bloomberg: Carney’s 15% Pipeline Stake Offer Get Pushback From Indigenous Groups
Robert Tuttle and Laura Dhillon Kane, 9/24/26
“The Canadian government’s plan to offer a 15% stake in the recently expanded Trans Mountain pipeline system to Indigenous communities is garnering criticism from some leaders as inadequate,” Bloomberg reports. “Trans Mountain Corp., the operator of the only oil pipeline running from Alberta to the British Columbia coast, was purchased by the government eight years ago from Kinder Morgan Inc. Soon after, Indigenous groups in western Canada formed to seek ownership stakes in the system… “We’ve come a long way but, you know, the 15% is somewhat a feeble attempt at economic reconciliation,” Stephen Buffalo, president of the Alberta-based Indian Resource Council, told Bloomberg. “They should at least put 50% on the table.” “...Project Reconciliation envisioned full First Nation ownership of the system, with revenue going into a sovereign wealth fund for communities. Steve Mason, the group’s top executive, formulated a plan to finance the purchase with a bond offering underpinned by the tolls collected on the pipeline. First Nations “should own a material piece,” he told Bloomberg. “When we say material, it should be a minimum of 30%.”
Community Impact: Quail Valley North Park closed for pipeline repairs
Aubrey Howell, 9/23/26
“Missouri City’s Quail Valley North Park will be closed for a portion of the fall, officials announced in a Sept. 21 Facebook post,” Community Impact reports. “The 3-acre park, located at 2202 Bermuda Dunes Drive, closed Sept. 21 as Kinder Morgan Crude and Condensate LLC makes repairs to pipelines that run through the park, officials said… “The park is expected to remain closed through Nov. 30, per the post.”
NBC Los Angeles: East LA community still grapples with oil spill from June [VIDEO]
Lolita Lopez, 9/22/26
“One neighbor said the oil leak, in addition to the warehouse fire, has been a burden to the community,” NBC Los Angeles reports.
WASHINGTON UPDATES
Jake Sherman on X: W.H. says permit reform talks have broken down
9/23/26
“W.H. official: “The administration and congressional Republicans agreed to a strong bipartisan offer. The Democrats have since refused to take yes for an answer. If they think that the administration is going to freeze these concessions until the lame duck, they are severely mistaken,” a White House official said. Dems say talks are still ongoing. Not a great sign.....”, according to Jake Sherman on X.
Politico: Permitting talks on the brink as frustrations grow
Josh Siegel, 9/24/26
“Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are still without a permitting reform deal despite agreement on key substantive policy issues and concessions granted on both sides, and the sides are starting to trade blows over who’s to blame for the delay,” Politico reports. “Republicans told Politico that they — in conjunction with the Trump administration — have agreed to core Democratic demands, such as President Donald Trump’s commitment to ease his administration’s blockade on wind projects held up by the Department of Defense. That includes a promise to approve about 30 projects that have a mitigation agreement executed and are just awaiting a countersignature, meaning developers could move forward on the project. “Dems caught the car on permitting and now they’re backpedaling,” one person with knowledge of the negotiations granted anonymity told Politico. “If they say they’re holding out for more, the question is: for what? They’re now trying to drag this past the election to kill it instead of moving on it next week.”
Politico: Senators weigh staying in town to vote on data center bill
Jordain Carney, 9/23/26
“Senate Republicans are discussing whether to stay in town next week to vote on a data center bill being championed by one of their most vulnerable incumbents, to two GOP senators granted anonymity to disclose private talks told Politico. “...Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), who is fending off a competitive challenge from former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, tried last week to clear a House-passed bill aimed at getting tech companies to cover the energy costs associated with data centers — an issue that has overtaken his Senate race. But Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, the top Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, blocked Husted’s effort to pass the bill quickly via a unanimous consent agreement, arguing the measure doesn’t go far enough to protect consumers… “Senate Republicans are also still waiting to see if a long-sought deal to overhaul the energy permitting process comes together. If an agreement can be reached soon, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated that the chamber would stay in town next week to process that bill, giving lawmakers more time to take up the Ratepayer Protection Act as well.”
Politico: White House diesel tensions spill over at Climate Week
Benjamin Storrow, 9/23/26
“...Energy Secretary Chris Wright used a series of appearances at the New York event Wednesday to forcefully argue against a ban on diesel exports — a position that’s potentially at odds with his boss,” Politico reports. “Wright’s comments came as diesel prices have soared to around $6.50 a gallon, leading to a real time debate within the White House about how to confront voter angst over spiraling cost of living expenses. President Donald Trump pledged Tuesday to make a decision “fast, one way or the other” over curtailing diesel exports to other countries. The White House is preparing a plan to halt diesel shipments abroad for 90 days, Politico reported moments ago. “The blunt tool of banning diesel exports definitely doesn’t work,” Wright said in an event hosted by the Economist. The public display of tension showed the mounting political pressure within the administration to alleviate high energy prices ahead of midterm elections that could remove Republicans from power in Congress.”
Politico: Diesel export fight strains GOP ties with Big Oil
Nico Portuondo, Pavan Acharya and Anthony Cruz, 9/24/26
“The marriage between Hill Republicans and the fossil fuel industry is showing signs of fracture, as a potential diesel export ban puts strain on a long-standing alliance,” Politico reports. “Farm-state Republicans and MAGA populists are decrying the greed of “Big Oil” and lining up behind diesel export bans amid skyrocketing prices that the fossil fuel industry argues would make a “difficult situation worse.” Conservatives are hesitant to put the blame on the war in Iran — and by extension, President Donald Trump — leaving the industry to shoulder the blame. That growing fissure between GOP lawmakers and the fossil fuel industry could disrupt a relationship that has delivered policy wins for drillers and big political donations for Republicans for decades. Some analysts warn it could open the door for future Republican regulation of fossil fuels… “[Fossil fuel companies] ought to be trying to do everything they can [to lower prices],” Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) told Politico. “The survivability of our country and the goodness of how we are as people — they hold a big part of that key.”
STATE UPDATES
KXNET: 1,500 barrels of produced water spilled south of Dickinson
Edward Segal, 9/22/26
“About 1,500 barrels (47,250 gallons) of produced water and 10 barrels of crude oil were spilled today south of Dickinson,” KXNET reports. “Armstrong Operating, Inc. notified the North Dakota Oil and Gas Division of the spill, which happened yesterday at the Laurine Engel 1 site. Every barrel has been recovered.”
EXTRACTION
DeSmog: Suncor Helped Lead Climate Denial Group Spreading ‘Uncertainties’
Geoff Dembicki, 9/21/26
“Climate science is filled with “conflicting facts and opinions” and experts are “divided” on whether humans should be blamed for a warmer atmosphere. Those were some of the “quick facts” and “speaking notes” disseminated by the Petroleum Communication Foundation (PCF) on December 15, 1997, just days after nations negotiated the world’s first binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kyoto, Japan,” DeSmog reports. “...Suncor has vociferously denied any effort to spread doubt about the urgency or causes of global warming… “However, internal documents newly obtained by DeSmog reveal that the company, while it may not have denied climate change directly, was represented in the leadership of fossil fuel industry groups such as the PCF that explicitly elevated “uncertainties” about mainstream climate science… “This strategy of fostering doubt was also a key ingredient in the playbook of the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Global Climate Coalition, which operated around the same time period and worked to confuse the public about the emerging scientific consensus to delay action and stifle momentum around the Kyoto Protocol… “Suncor and Exxon have argued in response to the Boulder lawsuit that Colorado courts lack jurisdiction to hear and potentially rule on the case, because whether multinational oil companies can be held liable for climate damages related to their out-of-state emissions is a question that only federal law, and not state law, can decide.”
Harvard Media: Federal energy minister says Bill C-39 will transform oilsands approval process
Jon Tupper, 9/23/26
“The federal government tabled Bill C-39 on Monday, legislation aimed at speeding up major project approvals and making the federal review process more predictable for companies looking to build in Canada,” Harvard Media reports. “The Building Canada Strong Act would set a one-year target for federal reviews and decisions once a proponent submits a complete application, with Ottawa promoting the approach as “one project, one review, one year to decision.” For Alberta’s energy sector, the federal energy minister says the changes would apply to oilsands developments requiring federal approval and could shorten the path from application to decision… “Under a Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding, the two governments are working toward a decision on whether the proposed project should be listed by Oct. 1… “If the project is listed, Ottawa and Alberta have set a target of reaching a decision or conditions document by September 2027. “With a conditions document, that means the proponent is free to build,” he told Harvard. “So I think you could see shovels in the ground potentially as soon as September 2027.”
Alberta Native News: Carbon capture conference side panel discusses Indigenous partnership
Jeremy Appel, 9/23/26
“Besides an opening prayer from O’Chiese First Nation Elder Theresa Strawberry, there was scant Indigenous representation in the main conference hall at this year’s Carbon Capture Canada conference, held in Edmonton from September 15 – 17,” according to Alberta Native News. “In the exhibition hall next door, Enbridge sponsored a panel discussion on Sept. 15 that focused on industry partnering with Indigenous communities to support carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology… “Matt Grant, the director of oil sands business development and low carbon at Enbridge, distinguished between “consultation, which we have to do,” and “building relationships to establish trust.” He portrayed his company’s planned Wabamun carbon hub as a model for partnering with local First Nations communities, citing the involvement “from day one” of then-Enoch Cree Nation chief Billy Morin. First Nations are being offered upwards of 50 per cent ownership when the project is complete, although Grant conceded that “equity isn’t always the way to go,” depending on the community’s preferences… “It’s incumbent upon companies looking to build relationships to know the distinct histories of the First Nations they’re working with, said McCormick, who recommended proactively hiring former chiefs or counsellors as a “powerful tool in building positive relationships.” Grant said Enbridge has set up a “virtual town hall,” in which attendees can attend various rooms conveying information on different technical aspects of CCUS… “But in the United States, where the CCUS industry is more advanced, there have been issues. An infamous CO2 pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi, in 2020 required the evacuation of 200 residents and hospitalization of 45 people in the rural community. McCormick cautioned against pressure to cut regulatory corners in order to get projects built faster.”
Hydrogen Insight: Uniper signs ‘one of the largest’ offtake deals for green hydrogen-based aviation fuel
Polly Martin, 9/23/26
“German energy firm Uniper has agreed to buy 40,000 tonnes a year of green hydrogen-based aviation fuel (e-SAF) for more than ten years from Arcadia eFuels, in what the developer calls “one of the largest announced eSAF offtake agreements to date,” Hydrogen Insight reports.
USA Today: Middle East sees growing oil spill threat as Iran war continues
Dinah Voyles Pulver, 9/22/26
“As hostilities in the Middle East drag on, the trail of damaged or destroyed oil tankers and energy facilities is increasingly raising concerns about the oily mess the conflict is leaving behind,” USA Today reports. “Scientists using satellite images to monitor the region say they see increasing evidence of oil slicks and fear leaking oil could be reaching protected tidal flats, coral reefs and beaches that line the coasts… “More than a dozen tankers have been damaged or destroyed in and around the Strait of Hormuz since Aug. 31, according to a USA TODAY analysis of reports from the United States military, Reuters and maritime organizations. Researchers have documented “a substantial increase in detected oil pollution in the Persian Gulf during the conflict compared with observations from the previous year,” Manoochehr Shirzaei, director of earth observation and innovation at Virginia Tech, told USA Today… “Oil has been reported in locations along the southern coast of Iran and along the eastern coast of Oman, but Shirzaei told USA Today the full extent of contamination and damage to ecosystems and wildlife may not be known for months or even years.”
PBS Frontline: Inside the Biggest Oil Spill You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Patrice Taddonio, 9/22/26
“In Nov. 2002, a Greek-owned oil tanker called the Prestige broke apart 130 miles off of Spain’s northern coast after encountering a storm and sank to the bottom of the freezing Atlantic. The wreck poured 20 million gallons of oil into the sea — almost twice what spilled out of the infamous Exxon Valdez in Alaska,” PBS Frontline reports. “The result was an environmental and economic disaster, with the toxic impact stretching along 350 miles of coastline, killing millions of fish and birds, and prompting the Spanish government to ban fishing, a vital source of income for many, for six months along most areas of the country’s Galician coast. But in the U.S., headlines about the Prestige disaster were overshadowed by the post-9/11 buildup to the Iraq War. Against that backdrop, the 2004 documentary Spain: The Lawless Sea brought the oil spill, its impact, and questions about whether the aging Prestige should have been allowed at sea in the first place into focus for a U.S. audience. “We need an international tribunal to judge everyone, from the oil merchants … to the ship owners, to the government,” Rafael Mouzo, a fisherman and the mayor of a coastal village hard hit by the oil, said in the documentary… “The documentary, which was produced in association with the Center for Investigative Reporting, is now available to stream on FRONTLINE’s YouTube channel for the first time as part of an effort to make the series’ archive of reporting widely accessible.”
OPINION
Houston Chronicle: Bad news for Texas: Republicans are now anti-growth
Michael E. Webber is the Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs, Cockrell Family Chair #16 in Engineering, and engineering academic director of the Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center at the University of Texas at Austin, 9/23/26
“...Critics point to President Joe Biden’s pause on approvals for liquefied natural gas export terminals and reticence to approve the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada as evidence that Democrats do not believe in infrastructure and want to shrink our economy instead of grow it. But today’s GOP is pushing its own anti-growth agenda,” Michael E. Webber writes for the Houston Chronicle. “...But there are plenty of examples of Texas Republicans simply going after anything that smacks of green energy, even if it’s actually pro-petroleum… “Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian is a particularly vibrant example of this kind of anti-growth champion. He bragged about voting against ExxonMobil’s request for a permit to sequester carbon dioxide, which is too bad, as carbon capture and sequestration is a large growth industry for which Texas has unrivaled global leadership.”