Gas explosion in Harlem

Explosion, Hazards, Leak, New York, , , , , , , , , , , ,

A huge methane explosion in New York City reminds people of 9/11. And of Spectra’s Durham Woods explosion in Edison, NJ.

Michael J. Feeney, Greg B. Smith, Pete Donohue, Jennifer H. Cunningham, Stephen Rex Brown and Corky Siemaszko for the New York Daily News, today, Underground gas explosion in East Harlem kills 3, injures dozens — up to 10 people feared missing: sources

“It’s a tragedy of the worst kind,’ Mayor de Blasio says Wednesday near Park Ave. and E. 116th St. Up to 10 people were still missing from the two buildings that contained 15 apartments, Absolute Piano and Spanish Christian Church, an NYPD source said. One of the victims was identified by sources as Griselde Camacho, 44, who lived at 1644 Park Ave.”

Nobody knows for sure the cause, but it appears to be gas:

“There was no warning in advance,” said Mayor de Blasio, who added that the cause of the blast that also flattened 1646 Park Ave. appears to be a gas leak.

Ah, maybe there will be a real investigation of this one: Continue reading Gas explosion in Harlem →

Spectra CEO Greg Ebel excuses for lack of methane pipeline delivery

Economy, Florida, Solar, Texas, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How does Spectra’s northern cold snap excuse for fracked gas apply to Florida, the target for the Sabal Trail, Hillabee, and Florida Southeast Connection methane pipelines? And if Spectra CEO Greg Ebel gets his wish to export gas, which T. Boone Pickens already explained will drive up domestic prices, how will higher gas prices help northern cities? Maybe Spectra’s pipelines aren’t for warming up cold houses; maybe they’re for corporate profit at the expense of landowners, taxpayers, ratepayers, and all those “natural” gas bus riders who will be surprised when their fares go up. Maybe we should stop the Sabal Trail pipeline and see if the fracking house of cards falls apart.

Jonathan Fahey wrote for AP 10 March 2014, Natural gas industry struggles to keep promises,

There’s plenty of natural gas in the ground, everyone seems to agree. But the harsh weather this winter shows there are obstacles to producing it, and more pipelines have to be built.

The bitter temperatures boosted demand for natural gas to heat homes and businesses. But wells in some places literally froze, making it difficult for some drillers to keep gas flowing. And the high demand clogged pipelines, so even when there was enough production, the gas couldn’t get where it needed to go.

Shortages cropped up, and prices in some places soared to record levels. Californians and Texans were asked to reduce their power consumption because utilities were running low on gas to run power plants. Montana State University in Billings had to cancel classes for a day because of a natural gas shortage.

Jim Fuquay amplified that chilly northern point for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram 11 March 2014:

Prices in New England briefly spiked to record levels. Californians were asked to reduce their power consumption because utilities were running low on gas to run power plants.

If the problem is cold weather in the north, why does Spectra want to build a pipeline to sunny Florida?

Curiously, the Star-Telegram omitted this point from the AP story; I’ve emphasized the redacted point: Continue reading Spectra CEO Greg Ebel excuses for lack of methane pipeline delivery →

Encourage natural gas –Senator Johnny Isakson (R GA)

Georgia, , , ,

In response to a request by a Georgia citizen for him to help oppose the Sabal Trail methane pipeline, Senator Johnny Isakson didn’t even answer directly, instead he sent a form letter pushing fossil fuels including “natural” gas, although it doesn’t get around to mentioning that until the second paragraph. An old letter, that refers to “last Congress” as when he wrote to “President Bush”. Why won’t a U.S. Senator represent his constituents? -jsq

From: senator@isakson.senate.gov
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2014 4:35 PM

Dear Mrs. Hall:

Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation’s energy dependence. I appreciate hearing from you and appreciate the opportunity to respond.

There are no quick fixes in dealing with our nation’s dependence on foreign energy, but there are things we have done to address it and there are more things we must do. I have voted to explore our own reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) because I believe we can be good stewards of our land while at the same time exploring for resources that increase supply and lessen our dependence on foreign oil, thus reducing prices. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain the 60 votes needed to end the filibuster on this legislation in the last Congress. It is my hope that we will be able to address and pass these needed reforms in this session of Congress. I have voted to make oil-producing and exporting cartels, such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), illegal, and to make any legislation that is introduced in the Senate that would increase gas prices subject to a procedural roadblock. I also have voted in favor of a 35-mile-per-gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard for automobiles. By 2020, all cars sold in the United States must get an average of 35 miles to the gallon, saving 18 billion gallons a year of gas by 2020 and significantly reducing demand and gas prices. Last Congress I also wrote former President Bush to ask that he immediately halt deposits of domestic crude oil into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Temporarily halting deposits to the reserve can provide some relief because the increased supply of oil available for refinement will send the right signal to all markets that the U.S. Government will take measures necessary to address exorbitant crude oil prices that negatively affect the global economy.

As a major consumer of energy, America should be a leader in the development of new sources of energy and the development of renewable resources. Last Congress I joined with Republican and Democratic colleagues to develop national energy policy to implement innovative solutions to increase electric generation and transmission, reduce gas prices, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen our economy. America’s energy infrastructure should encourage using all viable sources, including nuclear, natural gas, Continue reading Encourage natural gas –Senator Johnny Isakson (R GA) →

No Fracked Gas in Mass. allies with SpectraBusters

Agriculture, Economy, Environment, Explosion, Fracking, Leak, Massachusetts, Safety, Solar, Trees, Water, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Another new ally added to the Allies page; today it’s No Fracked Gas in Mass., who bring us excellent tips on getting a resolution your local elected government’s agenda.


“Fighting Kinder Morgan/TGP’s Northeast Expansion across the Berkshires and Northern Massachusetts. Our mission is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to create a comprehensive renewable energy infrastructure.”

They have an excellent post about getting resolutions on your town meeting agenda:

If you are thinking about bringing a non-binding resolution before your town meeting, time is running out. Each town has its own deadline for adding items to town meeting’s agenda and its own requirements for resolutions — in Cummington, we needed to gather just fifteen signatures and submit them to our town clerk for verification. Ask your select board members or your town clerk what the deadline is, and what the requirements are, for your town.

You can download the Cummington resolution to use as a model (here is a .txt version); if you are wondering what the point of a non-binding resolution is, please read this.

In Massachusetts select board members are what many other places call city council members. And many towns in Mass. make it easy for citizens to get resolutions on their agendas. Why should it be more difficult anywhere else? You can contact your Continue reading No Fracked Gas in Mass. allies with SpectraBusters →

Reports of Sabal Trail going on property without permission

FERC, Georgia, , , , , , , ,

According to reliable sources, Sabal Trail is going on people’s property without permission, repeatedly, today. This is in Georgia.

Everyone please be on the lookout.

Anyone willing to take pictures and send them, we can post them anonymously.

If anyone is willing to go on the record, that’s even better.

Pipeline companies should be aware that people take trespassing seriously.

-jsq

Flyer: The Sabal Trail Pipeline

Hazards, Meetings, , , , , , , ,

Here’s a one-sheet flyer suitable for handing out at FERC Scoping Meetings and other events: The Sabal Trail Pipeline, by Michael G. Noll.

PDF

Images of the two sides are below.

See also:

Flyer front side: Continue reading Flyer: The Sabal Trail Pipeline →

Keyspan LNG and Algonquin Pipeline denied by FERC

FERC, Law, Rhode Island, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the denied application that John Peconom gave me:

KeySpan LNG, L.P. and Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC

KeySpan LNG, L.P. Docket Nos. CP04-223-000 and
CP04-293-000
Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC Docket No. CP04-358-000
ORDER DENYING AUTHORIZATION UNDER SECTION 3
AND DISMISSING CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
(Issued July 5, 2005)
  1. In this proceeding, KeySpan LNG, L.P. (KeySpan) requests authority under section3 of the Natural Gas Act to site, construct, and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at its existing LNG storage facility in the City of Providence, Rhode Island.1 In a related application, Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC (Algonquin) requests authority under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate 1.44 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline in order to transport natural gas from KeySpan’s proposed terminal to Algonquin’s existing interstate pipeline system.2
  2. In essence, KeySpan is proposing Continue reading Keyspan LNG and Algonquin Pipeline denied by FERC →

Turtle Bayou Gas Storage Company Denied by FERC

Chambers County, FERC, Law, Liberty County, Texas, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the denied application Kevin Bowman gave me, and that John Peconom also gave me:

Turtle Bayou Gas Storage Company, LLC Docket No. CP10-481-000

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE AUTHORIZATIONS
(Issued June 16, 2011)
1. On August 9, 2010, Turtle Bayou Gas Storage Company, LLC (Turtle Bayou) filed an application in Docket No. CP10-481-000 under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA),1 requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity under Part 157, Subpart A, of the Commission’s regulations2 authorizing the construction and operation of a salt dome natural gas storage facility and associated pipeline facilities in Chambers and Liberty Counties, Texas. In addition, Turtle Bayou seeks a blanket certificate under Part 157, Subpart F, of the Commission’s regulations to engage in certain eligible construction activities3 and a blanket certificate under Part 284, Subpart G, of the regulations to provide open-access transportation services, including storage service.4 Turtle Bayou also requests authority to charge market-based rates for its storage services, and accordingly seeks a waiver of certain filing, accounting, and reporting requirements. As discussed below, the Commission denies Turtle Bayou’s application for the requested certificate authorizations.

1 15 U.S.C. § 717f(c) (2006).

2 18 C.F.R. Part 157 (2011).

3 Id.

4 18 C.F.R. Part 284 (2011).

There’s also this: Continue reading Turtle Bayou Gas Storage Company Denied by FERC →

Orders Denying Certificates

Colquitt County, FERC, Georgia, Law, Lowndes County, Rhode Island, Texas, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Given months to find them, all FERC could come up with for orders denying certificates was for two liquid natural gas (LNG) facilities. Each did have an associated pipeline request, but neither was for a stand-alone pipeline application. I do thank John Peconom and Kevin Bowman for providing these documents. However, really, is this all there is?

I asked John Peconom of FERC for a list of denied pipeline applications at the Moultrie makeup Sabal Trail Open House 27 January 2014, and again after the Valdosta FERC Scoping Meeting 4 March 2014, and each time Peconom said he would get me a list, including the actual orders denying some pipelines. At the Moultrie FERC Scoping Meeting 5 March 2014, I pointed out to the hundred-or-so attendees that I still hadn’t gotten a list.

After the Moultrie meeting, Kevin Bowman of FERC gave me a slip of paper with this written on it:

Turtle Bayou Gas
CP10-481-000
June 2011

See separate post.

Then John Peconom of FERC sent me an email message with these two links in it: Continue reading Orders Denying Certificates →

Spectra CEO expects to export fracked gas

British Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, , , , , , , , , ,

We don’t have to guess that Spectra wants to export from the Gulf; Spectra CEO Greg Ebel says so, and Spectra has already started development on an export pipeline in the other place he named at the same time.

Mike Lee wrote for Bloomberg 17 January 2012, Spectra Expects to Be Involved in North American LNG Exports,

Spectra, based in Houston, owns pipelines that carry gas along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and from fields in British Columbia, two areas where export terminals have been proposed, Ebel said in an interview at Bloomberg headquarters in New York today.

Cheniere Energy Inc. (LNG) is exploring multibillion-dollar projects to convert import terminals in Louisiana and Texas to liquefy and export gas. Apache Corp. (APA), EOG Resources Inc. (EOG) and Encana Corp. have proposed a liquefied natural gas export terminal at Kitimat on Canada’s West Coast.

“Our pipelines go right by all those facilities, really,” Ebel said. “You’ll probably see three to six of those get built. I would expect we’ll have some involvement in all of them.”

And, once again, this has nothing to do with any alleged energy need by Florida; it’s all about Continue reading Spectra CEO expects to export fracked gas →