EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 9/29/22
PIPELINE NEWS
WDBJ: Withdrawal of energy legislation buoys pipeline opponents
Traverse City Record Eagle: Army Corps of Engineers takes public comment on proposed Line 5 tunnel
Williston Herald: Keystone XL's $15 billion trade suit against the United States is set for takeoff
Reuters: Canada's Enbridge to sell oil pipelines stake to Indigenous groups for C$1.12 bln
Summit-Tribune: Summit clarifies how official cited pipeline easement numbers after pushback
KXNET: Representative Becker proposes a bill to restrict eminent domain on CO2 pipeline in the state
Radio Iowa: Officials in 44 Iowa counties weigh in on carbon pipelines
WQAD: Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines asks Knox County to intervene in state approval process
EnergyNews: Illinois residents in path of CO2 pipeline say company is withholding information
Oelwein Daily Register: Supervisors discuss drainage districts, CO2 pipeline
Newton Daily News: Jasper County selects ISG as carbon pipeline inspector
Press release: Sen. Cramer: DOT Awards $2.6 Million for Pipeline Safety in North Dakota
WASHINGTON UPDATES
E&E News: Manchin's Permitting Overhaul: Not Dead Yet
E&E News: Activists Gird For Round Two In Manchin Permitting Fight.
E&E News: House Panel Rolls Out A Trio Of Methane Tracking Bills
STATE UPDATES
Inforum: Coal Country bets on carbon capture moonshot
Salt Lake Tribune: BLM rescinds approval of 5,750-well Monument Butte oil and gas project
EXTRACTION
Reuters: France's TotalEnergies plans to spin off Canadian oil sands assets
Grist: Ocean oil pollution is growing — and not from oil spills
OPINION
WV Metro News: Manchin’s Miscalculation
PIPELINE NEWS
WDBJ: Withdrawal of energy legislation buoys pipeline opponents
Joe Dashiell, 9/28/22
“Opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline claimed a victory Tuesday evening, when West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin withdrew legislation that would have fast-tracked fossil fuel projects, and cleared the way for the MVP,” WDBJ reports. “For now, opponents are breathing easier and the pipeline company is vowing to keep moving toward completion. “I am so happy to see this taken off the agenda,” said pipeline opponent Red Terry, during a teleconference Wednesday morning. “It’s like I said at the Capitol, we can’t take two steps forward and ten back.” “...I had no doubt. I had no doubt that we had to stop this this week,” said Maury Johnson, a pipeline opponent from Monroe Co., West Virginia. “I thought we might have to do it in the House. I thought yesterday morning, we might actually have a chance to make some changes or delay it in the Senate, but I didn’t think we would kill it on the first day. So that was a pleasant surprise.” At the same time, opponents say they realize their fight isn’t over on Capitol Hill. “We know this isn’t dead yet,” said pipeline opponent Hal Ginsberg, “but we’re going to continue to work with Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the other groups in coalition, continue to make thousands of calls to the senators demanding that they respect the land, respect the people who live there.” A spokesperson for the Mountain Valley Pipeline told WDBJ the company is disappointed the proposal will not receive a vote at this time.”
Traverse City Record Eagle: Army Corps of Engineers takes public comment on proposed Line 5 tunnel
Michael Livingston, 9/28/22
“Hundreds filled a hockey arena this month to share their thoughts on a tunnel project which would contain Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline if approved,” the Traverse City Record Eagle reports. “...The meeting gathered public comment for the Army Corps’ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It’s a document — normally hundreds of pages long — that’s supposed to give a full and fair analysis of potential environmental impacts… “Tribal, agency and public input is extremely important to help define the range of issues and potential alternatives the EIS should address,” said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Brett Boyle in a press release. “Comments should help identify areas for in-depth review, including historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects and other public interest factors. This is a great opportunity to have an impact in the Corps of Engineers scoping process for developing the Draft EIS.” “...The majority of commenters spoke against the pipeline and Enbridge’s activities in general. In 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Enbridge to shut down Line 5 by revoking and ending a 1953 easement. The pipeline is still in operation, which many commenters called illegal. Many cited the catastrophic 2010 Line 6B rupture that sent more than 1 million gallons of crude oil down the Kalamazoo River. The purpose of the event was to advise the Army Corps on where to direct their research for its EIS. Commenters stressed the need for Indigenous voices to be represented since the pipeline runs through some culturally important tribal land. Whitney Gravelle, president of the Bay Mills Indian Community executive council, was there with other members of the community. “In the line of creation men and women were not created last because we are the most important, it’s because we’re the least important,” she said. “We rely on all of those natural resources to be able to live, to be able to support our families and just exist as Anishinaabe people.” All twelve of Michigan’s federally recognized tribes signed a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to allow the state’s efforts to shut down Line 5 play out. Other commenters called for Army Corps’ research to extend beyond the straits to all areas where Line 5 is present from the Upper Peninsula down to Detroit. Groups also called for public comment meetings downstate to hear from additional stakeholders.”
Williston Herald: Keystone XL's $15 billion trade suit against the United States is set for takeoff
Renée Jean, 9/28/22
“Keystone Xl’s $15 billion pipeline claim against the United States is all set to proceed,” the Williston Herald reports. “Prominent French arbitrator Alexis Mourre has been tapped to preside over the international case, brought by Canadian company TC Energy to challenge America’s summary cancellation of the project after President Joe Biden took office. The trade suit is proceeding as a legacy NAFTA case, since that is the trade agreement that was in place at the time. Under Chapter 11, investor-state dispute settlement provisions allow companies to seek compensation for lost investments. “As a public company, TC Energy has a responsibility to shareholders to seek recovery of the losses incurred due to the permit revocation, which resulted in the termination of the project,” the statement said. TC Energy had filed a notice of intent to pursue damages after the cancellation of the Keystone XL’s cross-border permits. The claim accused the United States of breaching free trade obligations.”
Reuters: Canada's Enbridge to sell oil pipelines stake to Indigenous groups for C$1.12 bln
Ankit Kumar and Rod Nickel, 9/28/22
“Canada's Enbridge Inc will sell a C$1.12 billion ($818.83 million) minority stake in seven Alberta oil pipelines to a group of Indigenous communities, in North America's largest energy-related Aboriginal partnership, the company said on Wednesday,” Reuters reports. “Athabasca Indigenous Investments (Aii), a newly formed entity of 23 First Nations and Métis communities, will buy the 11.57% non-operating interest in the pipelines. First Nations in Canada are divided about oil and gas projects that involve traditional lands. Some communities oppose them over environmental concerns while others prize the jobs and revenue they provide. The Canadian government has a legal duty to consult meaningfully with Indigenous groups on major new resource projects. Revenue from the pipelines will help First Nations improve their quality of life through home-building and by addressing a mental health crisis, said Chief Greg Desjarlais of Frog Lake First Nation at a press conference. "Our people should not live in poverty in the land of milk and honey," he said. The deal, expected to close within the next month, involves pipelines in Alberta's Athabasca region, including the Athabasca and Wood Buffalo/Athabasca Twin, and associated tanks, handling 45% of the oil sands' output under contract. "We want to become partners with Indigenous communities across the entire system ... on both sides of the border," said Enbridge Chief Executive Officer Al Monaco. Asked if he was open to selling part of the Mainline oil network, Monaco told Reuters it was too early to say.”
Summit-Tribune: Summit clarifies how official cited pipeline easement numbers after pushback
Rob Hillesland, 9/28/22
“Reporting lag may have contributed to confusion over the latest easement numbers provided recently by a Summit Carbon Solutions official for a proposed carbon pipeline in Hancock County,” the Summit-Tribune reports. “Summit Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Jake Ketzner addressed Hancock County supervisors in person during the public forum at the board’s Sept 26 meeting in Garner. He clarified that the company compiles its figures on landowner voluntary easements in real time, which includes those not yet included in required regulatory filings with the Iowa Utilities Board. According to Ketzner, company-cited easement numbers for the pipeline are more-up-to-date than publicly available information sources as they include internal daily updates of the latest agreements entered into with landowners. “Today, we’re at 54.55 percent with 84 tracks out of 154 (in Hancock County),” Ketzner said. “We have landowners that file daily. The IUB filing is data that is a week or two old. When our folks put together that map, it’s a lot of work to put together. If a landowner signs today, it could take a week or two to be updated.” During a quarterly update to supervisors at the prior weekly meeting, another Summit official had reported that 52% of Hancock County voluntary easement miles for the project were secured by land agents for the project. County officials publicly questioned the numbers after the meeting, noting that the latest numbers on publicly available State of Iowa maps for the project and the county recorder’s easement list indicated lower numbers. Based on the latest available maps, the county’s inspection and project engineer, Snyder and Associates, then estimated approximately 45%. Ketzner cited a seven-day cancellation period as another factor for delay in regulatory reporting. He said the prior filing was made on Sept. 15 and that the company would be filing an update with the IUB within days after Monday’s supervisors meeting. He noted it would likely include most or all of the easements that comprised that reported 52% of easement miles secured in Hancock County… “Representatives AJ Taylor and Angela Nelson of KIOW Radio in Forest City voiced concerns during the meeting about the company's easement information provided to the board. They said it does not allow for fact-checking to ensure truthful and factual information. Taylor said it resulted in unnecessary calls to the station over what was accurate reporting, based on the latest publicly available information, as well as a lot of back-and-forth for reporters.”
KXNET: Representative Becker proposes a bill to restrict eminent domain on CO2 pipeline in the state
Adrienne Oglesby, 9/28/22
“Representative Rick Becker announced proposed legislation to protect landowner rights pertaining to carbon dioxide pipelines in North Dakota,” KXNET reports. “The threat of eminent domain is something no landowner wants to see… “On September 28, both Representative Becker and Senate candidate Jeff Magrum spoke in support of landowners facing eminent domain abuses. “What we have in common is a concern that we honor and respect private property rights. What we have in common is that farmers, ranchers, and landowners need to be treated respectfully and fairly and they should have a say, as to what happens on their property,” said Representative Becker… “With eminent domain as the main focus, Becker pointed out that in the state constitution under Article 1 Section 16, the Summits project outline goes against our state constitution… “Through the proposed bill, those landowners would be granted legislation designed to provide protection to landowners in these circumstances. It would specifically deny eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. Right now, Becker told KX News there are several red flags from the pipeline companies. “I’m concerned about the pipeline company having very deep involvement with global and powerful companies that have ESG policies as their prime director, more specifically I’m talking about summit carbon solutions and their investors… “While at the capitol, KX News spoke with a widowed landowner who prefers to stay anonymous, she says she has been threatened and treated poorly by Summit. She told KX News even after a number of no entry signs, their workers have entered her land without her permission… “Representative Becker also wants to clarify this bill only addresses eminent domain for CO2 pipelines for landowners. It does not address the Williston Basin location, where tons of liquid carbon dioxide will be released underground… “Moments before the show, Jesse Harris, the director of public affairs at Summit Carbon Solutions reached out with the following statement to share their side: …Summit Carbon Solutions has signed agreement with more than 1,900 landowners which equates to over 3,000 easement agreements and more are being signed every day. Here in North Dakota, the company has signed agreements with more than 500 landowners, which includes more than 80% of the area where we have proposed to permanently store CO2. A majority of landowners in a number of North Dakota counties have signed easement agreements with Summit Carbon Solutions on the pipeline portion of the project, including Logan (100%), Mercer (100%), Oliver (70%), Sargent (61%), McIntosh (57%), Morton (52%), and Emmons (51%).”
Radio Iowa: Officials in 44 Iowa counties weigh in on carbon pipelines
O. KAY HENDERSON, 9/28/22
“Officials in 44 Iowa counties have now taken action to express concerns about the three proposed carbon pipelines,” Radio Iowa reports. “In the past week, the Adair and Floyd County Boards of Supervisors have sent letters to state regulators. Floyd County Supervisor Linda Tjaden says the proposed Summit and Navigator pipeline routes pass through Floyd County… “The Floyd County letters express concern about training for emergency crews who’d have to respond to pipeline ruptures, as well as potential construction damage to land and drainage tiles. The letter about the Summit route also mentions it would pass through the Avenue of the Saints Development Park in Charles City and the pipeline could damage electrical, water and sewage utilities in the area… “The letter from the Floyd County supervisors also expresses concern about the use of eminent domain for “a private purpose.” “...The Adair County Board of Supervisors has sent the Iowa Utilities Board a letter, saying the board is not opposed to the purpose or construction of the pipeline, but is opposed to eminent domain being used “as a way of achieving it.”
WQAD: Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines asks Knox County to intervene in state approval process
Jenna Webster, 9/28/22
“Members of the Coalition to Stop CO₂ Pipelines presented their concerns about a proposed 1,300-mile carbon capture pipeline to the Knox County Board Wednesday,” WQAD reports. “...With Navigator filing in July for its certificate of authority from the Illinois Commerce Commission, a petition it needs to get approved before it can start construction, the Coalition to Stop CO₂ Pipelines is asking counties to intervene. The ICC has 11 months to make a decision, reviewing evidence from Navigator's lawyers and lawyers representing those who oppose the pipeline. County governments have the option to participate in the review, create a six-month pause to construction while they finish studying the impact of the pipeline or draft zoning laws to mandate how closely the pipeline can be built next to residential areas. Sangamon and McDonough counties have already decided to intervene. "They also will listen to government talk about the impact of pipelines on three things, your economy, public safety and infrastructure," said Pam Richart of the Coalition to Stop CO₂ Pipelines. "If you intervene, you have the opportunity to share those concerns with the ICC, but only if you intervene." “...Opponents of the pipeline have continually noted concerns about it permanently damaging farmland and threatening the safety of residents living nearby. "What will you sacrifice?" Lan Richart said. "Millions in publicly subsided tax credits, loss of crop productivity, lowered land and property values, damage to drainage tiles, the list goes on and on." “...The Knox County Board gave no indication whether it would intervene in the ICC's approval process, but it did say it would like to hear from supporters of the pipeline at its next meeting.”
EnergyNews: Illinois residents in path of CO2 pipeline say company is withholding information
Kari Lydersen, 9/29/22
“Just before the holidays last December, Kathy Campbell received a two-page letter informing her and her husband that a carbon dioxide pipeline might be built through their land in central Illinois, a lush little “paradise” they created “stone by stone, brick by brick,” with trees planted in memory of her parents,” EnergyNews reports. “...Campbell has since become an expert on carbon dioxide pipelines and a community leader. The citizens group she co-leads is an official intervenor in the company’s case before the Illinois Commerce Commission. But Campbell and other residents, county officials and farmers along the pipeline’s proposed route have struggled to get more information because of what they call evasiveness and a lack of transparency. Navigator CO2 has refused to make public the list of landowners along the half-mile-wide corridor covering 250 miles in Illinois, culminating in a planned carbon sequestration site in Christian County… “ The company has not revealed the exact planned route, and in recent filings before the Illinois Commerce Commission it said the route is still being determined based on surveys, GIS mapping and discussions with landowners. Landowners like Campbell told EnergyNews this leaves them at a distinct and unfair disadvantage, unsure what specific impact the pipeline would have on them and making it much harder for them to connect with and help inform their neighbors… “The Citizens Against Heartland Greenway Pipeline asked the commerce commission to force the company to make its landowner list public, noting that the company compiled the list from publicly available tax records. The company said in filings that it wants to protect citizens’ privacy. But the citizens group thinks they have other motives. “While Navigator candidly admitted at the hearing that one of their motivations in filing the list as proprietary was to avoid criticism for having published landowner information, clearly another result, if not another motivation, is to impede the organization of opposition to the requested route,” says the September 8 filing by citizens group… “Around the same time, retired Marine Corps judicial advocate John Feltham got a call from a Navigator representative asking for permission to survey on his land. Feltham demanded more information in writing, and was not satisfied with what he received. “They must have thought I just fell off the turnip truck,” Feltham, who is a member of the Texas and U.S. bar associations and farms corn and soy in central Illinois, told EnergyNews… “Feltham told EnergyNews the project has encountered a “wave of resistance” in Christian County as well. Even without the landowner list, he and other leaders said public awareness and opposition to the project is quickly growing. On Sept. 23, the powerful Illinois Farm Board filed to intervene in the case, and several more counties and townships have this month officially stated their opposition.”
Oelwein Daily Register: Supervisors discuss drainage districts, CO2 pipeline
MIRA SCHMITT-CASH, 9/28/22
“The Bremer County Board of Supervisors spoke with a private engineer Monday in a discussion-only meeting about application requirements for, and potential changes to, a resolution on the construction of a hazardous liquid pipeline beneath local drainage infrastructure,” the Oelwein Daily Register reports. “...The route — which is more specific than the corridor — has yet to be presented by the pipeline company… “Discussion turned to a one-and-a-half-page draft resolution prepared by the Iowa Drainage District Association and what other counties have done… “The Iowa Drainage District Association statement atop the resolution says the county should seek advice from a drainage attorney, in addition to a drainage engineer… “Zoning setbacks for instance, are not something that would be put in a drainage resolution or vice versa, Klingbeil indicated “from what I’ve seen.” “...One of the most common comments from people who’ve had pipelines going through is they don’t end up growing anything for … years because they lose that topsoil,” Moore said, wondering, “if that’s something we can require here (in the application permit or resolution) or in the ordinance, require them to strip topsoil before they install it and replace it when they’re done.” “...The Dakota Access (pipeline) they just bulldozed it in,” Neil said. “It’s been several years, those guys say they’re still down 45% after several years.”
Newton Daily News: Jasper County selects ISG as carbon pipeline inspector
Christopher Braunschweig, 9/28/22
“Until the Iowa Legislature addresses concerns about eminent domain next year, the construction of the carbon pipeline in Jasper County is effectively on hold,” the Newton Daily News reports. “Still, in preparation for the upcoming project, the board of supervisors earlier this month signed a letter of intent with its inspector who will oversee the work… “Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma told the News although there were some issues the governing body and residents experienced with ISG, he is confident the company has a better plan for the county this time around. Lessons were learned and he expects the process to be much smoother than Dakota Access… “Iowa Code requires county boards of supervisors to have inspections for these lines. If officials wanted to, they could have county engineering staff handle the work. But, historically, staff are already at capacity and probably do not have the experience or expertise to do this kind of work. Which is why many counties hire a third party. Del Val told the News ISG will have a similar process to its inspection as it did for Dakota Access, which means the consultant hires experienced inspectors to review the construction. Del Val told the News ISG is not affiliated with the pipeline and answers directly to counties and landowners.”
Press release: Sen. Cramer: DOT Awards $2.6 Million for Pipeline Safety in North Dakota
9/28/22
“U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) awarded the following five grants totaling $2,600,113: $1,000,000 to North Dakota State University to develop and implement a holistic framework for an AI powered, platform-forward software tool which will accelerate the transition of existing gas pipelines for hydrogen transport; $1,000,000 to North Dakota State University to develop and test the feasibility of an all-in-one, multifunctional, high-performance cured-in-place pipe structural liner which is self-healing and self-sensing; $354,635 to the North Dakota Public Utilities Commission to support pipeline safety programs; $198,708 to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services to design and implement planning and training programs which enhance response to hazardous materials transportation incidents; and $46,770 to the North Dakota Public Service Commission to improve various aspects of North Dakota’s damage prevention programs.”
WASHINGTON UPDATES
E&E News: Manchin's Permitting Overhaul: Not Dead Yet
JEREMY DILLON, NICK SOBCZYK, EMMA DUMAIN, 9/28/22
“Progressive lawmakers, environmentalists and Republicans cheered late Tuesday afternoon when Sen. Joe Manchin waved the white flag on his effort to attach permitting reform to the short-term government funding bill, but the effort still has signs of life,” E&E News reports. “Lawmakers from both parties signaled they’d be willing to work to find common ground on a reform package in the aftermath of the West Virginia Democrats’ decision to punt on legislation that would ease environmental reviews on energy projects. Attention now is turning to bipartisan talks and places where the overhaul bill could land. Options could include the annual National Defense Authorization Act, as one top Republican suggested yesterday. Another landing spot could be a year-end omnibus government spending bill. ‘We’re disappointed. We worked awful hard and had a lot of good people involved,’ Manchin, chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, told reporters. ‘But basically, the thing that I took away from all of this is that some of the people have an interest and understand the critical situation that we’re in, and we need a good piece of legislation that gives us a permitting pathway.’”
E&E News: Activists Gird For Round Two In Manchin Permitting Fight.
NICK SOBCZYK, TIMOTHY CAMA, 9/28/22
“Progressives celebrated when Sen. Joe Manchin’s permitting bill failed this week, but now they’re bracing for the fight’s second round,” E&E News reports. “Lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill are trying to breathe life into permitting talks after the West Virginia Democrat realized Tuesday his proposal would fall short of the 60 Senate votes needed to ride with a short-term government funding measure. Environmental groups are worried. While they took credit for helping block the measure, gathering opposition from a coalition of progressive lawmakers in the House and Senate, they’re wary of a revived legislative push when the political pressure is off during the lame-duck session after the midterms… “John Noël, senior climate campaigner with Greenpeace USA, told E&E Manchin and other permitting reform proponents are mistaken if they think passing the legislation would be easier the next time around. ‘The politics have not changed. The bill will only get worse in this next phase to attract Republican votes, which should make it easier for the Democratic opposition to grow,’ Noël told E&E.”
E&E News: House Panel Rolls Out A Trio Of Methane Tracking Bills
Jeremy Dillon, 9/28/22
“House Science, Space and Technology Committee lawmakers will introduce legislation Wednesday to increase the federal government’s ability to monitor and account for methane emissions from the oil and gas sector,” E&E News reports. “The three bills stem from concerns nations have been undercounting their methane emissions by as much as 70 percent, according to a report from the International Energy Agency earlier this year. Lawmakers have looked to limit how much methane — a greenhouse gas that is nearly 90 times more potent than carbon dioxide — is escaping into the atmosphere as a result of increased domestic oil and gas production. Democrats included a new methane fee as part of their reconciliation package. Inspired by a staff report issued earlier this summer, the committee determined that oil and gas companies are failing to adequately measure and prevent super emitting events. The report determined ‘that oil and gas companies are failing to design, equip, and inform their Methane Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) activities as necessary to achieve rapid and large-scale reductions in methane emissions from their operations.’ The first of the bills, from Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), would direct the EPA to launch a two-year pilot study to measure and quantify methane emissions from specific oil and gas producing regions.”
STATE UPDATES
Inforum: Coal Country bets on carbon capture moonshot
Michael Standaert, 9/27/22
“Nearly 20,000 residents of Coal Country in Mercer, McLean, and Oliver counties sit at the crosshairs of the energy transition,” Inforum reports. “...For communities like Hazen to remain viable, future energy mixes must include coal, many in Coal Country say… “However, a future for coal will require innovation to capture carbon dioxide before it leaves the power plants’ exhaust stacks. The current technology for carbon capture and storage (CCS) is developed but it is also extremely expensive. North Dakota’s potential solution is Project Tundra , an estimated $1.4 billion project that aims to capture and store up to 90% of the carbon emissions at the Milton R. Young Station, a 700-megawatt powerhouse near Center. “I think a lot of people are really excited about carbon capture,” Anna Novak, co-founder of a Facebook group Faces of North Dakota Coal that advocates for Coal Country, told Inforum… “But will it work? And if it does, will other power producers pony up for the billion-dollar retrofits? “There’s never been a commercial-scale carbon capture coal plant, ever, that’s worked,” Scott Skokos, director of the Dakota Resource Council, a nonprofit based in Bismarck, told Inforum. Technology trials at Petra Nova CCS in Texas and Boundary Dam CCS in southern Saskatchewan have not proved effective over long periods… “They’re really looking at this like it's a Hail Mary, an emerging technology that they’ve figured out, and we don’t know that,” Skokos told Inforum. “And that’s what’s troubling is that we’re going all in rather than hedging our bets.”
Salt Lake Tribune: BLM rescinds approval of 5,750-well Monument Butte oil and gas project
Brian Maffly, 9/28/22
“The Bureau of Land Management has officially reversed approval of the proposed 5,750-well expansion to the Uinta Basin’s Monument Butte oil and gas field, putting the project’s future into further doubt after Utah state director Greg Sheehan ordered a more thorough environmental review,” the Salt Lake Tribune reports. “The Monument Butte expansion had already been stalled for years thanks to relentless challenges filed by WildEarth Guardians, and the field’s principal developer Ovintiv USA recently announced it was selling an 85,000-acre stake in the field where it has idled at least 200 wells. This week, the BLM’s Utah state office released its latest decision, this time to conduct additional environmental analysis, examining greenhouse gas emissions associated with the energy the project would produce. “This is a major victory for public lands and our climate,” Jeremy Nichols, WildEarth’s climate and energy program director, told the Tribune. “This proposal opened the door for a costly increase in drilling and fracking at a time when we need to be keeping oil and gas in the ground. We’re pleased the Biden administration has agreed to reconsider this decision.” The group contends full-field development on the 120,000-acre field could unleash up to 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses a year, resulting in a climate impact equivalent to that of 17 coal-fired power plants.”
EXTRACTION
Reuters: France's TotalEnergies plans to spin off Canadian oil sands assets
Nia Williams, 9/28/22
“TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) said on Wednesday it is looking to spin off its Canadian oil sands operations and list the new company on the Toronto Stock Exchange, as the assets do not fit with the French oil major's low-emissions strategy,” Reuters reports. “At an investor presentation in New York, TotalEnergies said the proposal would be subject to a shareholder vote at its next annual general meeting in May 2023. The spin-off would include TotalEnergies' 24.58% stake in Suncor Energy's Fort Hills oil sands mining project in northern Alberta and its 50% stake in the ConocoPhillips-operated Surmont thermal project, as well as midstream and trading-related activities. Canada's oil sands hold some of the world's largest crude reserves but are more carbon-intensive and costly to produce than many conventional oil projects worldwide. "We are not the best shareholder of these assets because as we have a climate strategy, we don't want to invest in these assets," Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said… “TotalEnergies has been retreating from the region for several years and in 2020 took a $9.3 billion impairment on the value of its oil sands assets.”
Grist: Ocean oil pollution is growing — and not from oil spills
Joseph Winters, 9/29/22
“Oil spills may be dramatic and devastating, but they’re not the biggest contributor to ocean oil pollution — not by a long shot,” Grist reports. “A report released Wednesday gives that distinction to fossil fuel runoff from highways, parking lots, and other land-based infrastructure, mostly transportation related. According to the report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, “Oil in the Sea,” these sources are by far the largest and fastest-growing contributor to ocean oil pollution. At some 1.2 million metric tons per year — a very rough estimate, given large data gaps — the amount of oil that gets transferred from land to sea is at least an order of magnitude larger than the amount from any other source. “When you look at this ‘consumption’ number, it overshadows all the others,” Victoria Broje, a principal emergency management specialist for Shell and one of the report’s authors, told reporters at a media event on Wednesday. The report was co-sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, a fossil fuel industry trade group, in addition to federal agencies from the U.S. and Canada… “Ed Levine, a former scientific support coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and vice chair of the committee that wrote the report, clarified that oil spills still pose considerable risks to marine ecosystems, since the oil they release is so much more concentrated than oil from land-based sources. “As with everything,” he told Grist, “dose and concentration is what will kill you or not.” He also highlighted the risks for future spillage from the nation’s extensive and aging fossil fuel infrastructure — especially in the face of more frequent, more intense natural disasters.”
OPINION
WV Metro News: Manchin’s Miscalculation
Hoppy Kercheval, 9/29/22
“Joe Manchin took a chance. He signed off on the partisan Inflation Reduction Act, and even appeared with President Joe Biden at the bill signing ceremony, knowing it would cause heartburn among Republicans and many of his constituents,” Hoppy Kercheval writes for WV Metro News. “However, Manchin had an ace in the hole, or at least he thought he did—a side agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Biden to support significant energy permitting legislation that included completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline… “What could go wrong? But the deal collapsed Tuesday. Manchin, realizing he did not have the necessary 60 votes, pulled the regulatory reform provision from the spending bill. “He thought he was going to pass a bill and get it signed into law,” said Senator John Cornyn (R, Texas). “He miscalculated, is the nicest way I could put it.” Manchin’s miscalculation was that enough Republicans would see the benefits of the regulatory reform—of which there are many—to overcome a few Democratic defections and reach the 60 vote threshold. But most of the Republicans, led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, were more interested in seeing Manchin twist in the wind. McConnell, still fuming over Manchin’s support of the Inflation Reduction Act, personally whipped against the bill. Additionally, Republicans see Manchin as vulnerable if he runs for re-election and they did not want to give him a legislative victory… “The failure is a political setback for Manchin, who has been wielding considerable power as the 50th Democratic vote.”