Subject to Appeal, FERC Approves Cove Point LNG Exports

Duane Nichols — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:14:27 +0000

“Feds Give OK for Exports That Include Ohio Valley Gas”

From an Article by Casey Junkins, Wheeling News-Register, May 8, 2015

Wheeling, WV — Dominion Resources received final federal approval Thursday to export 770 million cubic feet of liquefied natural gas daily from its $3.8 billion Cove Point site in Maryland, pending a last-minute legal appeal from environmental groups.

While citing Energy Information Administration statistics that forecast U.S. natural gas production to reach an average rate of 72.4 billion cubic feet per day this year, the Obama administration’s Department of Energy announced approval of Dominion’s plans Thursday, much to the delight of industry leaders.

“This is a major milestone for a multi-billion-dollar project that has waited years for federal approval,” said Erik Milito, director of Upstream and Industry Operations for the Washington, D.C.-based American Petroleum Institute.

Photo: Dominion Resources’ Cove Point facility in eastern Maryland has received federal approval to export liquefied natural gas from a network that includes the Ohio Valley.
“This facility, and others like it, will allow America to be a net natural gas exporter by 2017, according to EIA. U.S. exports will help to bring energy security to our allies, while supporting jobs and economic growth in American manufacturing, construction, energy development, engineering, and other areas,” he said.

Dominion operates the Blue Racer Natrium complex in Marshall County, as well as other natural gas processing infrastructure in both Ohio and West Virginia, which will now be part of the network used to send material to Cove Point for export so the gas can be shipped throughout the world.

Energy department officials said Thursday they extensively and carefully reviewed Dominion’s project before signing off on it. They said exporting 770 million cubic feet per day from Cove Point for a period of 20 years is “not inconsistent with the public interest.”

“The Cove Point facility has been on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay as an LNG import terminal for nearly 40 years,” Dominion Energy President Diane Leopold said. “While we are making a substantial investment to add export capabilities, we intend to keep unchanged our commitment to being a good neighbor and responsible steward of the environment.”

“The Cove Point Liquefaction project is well under way with nearly 80 percent of engineering complete and construction at the site is on time and on budget,” Dominion Chairman, President and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II, added.

However, officials with the San Francisco-based Earthjustice environmental group continue fighting the Cove Point plan. The group filed a last-minute appeal against the project in the Washington, D.C., federal appellate court Thursday, while blaming the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for not properly evaluating how the plan will affect Calvert County, Md.

“Time and again, FERC has shown a blatant disregard for the health and safety of people and the climate and, we believe, the law. Tragically, FERC’s foot-dragging has allowed Dominion bulldozers to start construction before Calvert County residents had legal recourse to challenge the agency’s decision,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Environmental Groups Call on US EPA to Ban Diesel Fuel in Fracking

Duane Nichols — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:11:59 +0000

: Earthjustice Speaks

Earthjustice reported that national environmental groups are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the use of diesel fuel in fracking fluids, instead of issuing guidance for regulating the practice, following the agency’s release of draft guidance. Diesel fuel is currently used in many fracking chemical mixtures and poses serious risks to drinking water sources. EPA guidance is not enough to protect families from benzene and other toxic chemicals that can contaminate water sources.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 exempted hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in the Halliburton Loophole—except when diesel is used. Recent Congressional investigations revealed diesel use in fracking fluids remains widespread. This EPA action provides guidance for using the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control Program to protect underground sources of drinking water. The EPA announced a 60-day public comment period on the proposal.

Leaders from environmental organizations calling for a ban on diesel used in fracking, released the following statements:

“It’s no secret that diesel is dirty and dangerous, and belongs nowhere near our drinking water. But the natural gas industry has been using this dangerous fuel for fracking, showing once again that they cannot be trusted to police themselves. We urge the EPA to ban diesel fracking and keep Americans’ drinking water clean and safe.” –Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club

“We applaud EPA’s action and urge the Agency to use their authority to ban diesel use and to do whatever is necessary to protect precious underground drinking water sources from chemical contamination.” –Bob Wendelgass, president of Clean Water Action

“Diesel and drinking water don’t mix. Congress recognized the hazards of diesel when they passed the Halliburton loophole to the Safe Drinking Water Act. We welcome EPA’s action; it’s time for the oil and gas industry to clean up their act.” –Jennifer Krill, executive director of Earthworks

“Diesel fuel is not critical to fracking—with the safety threats it poses, there is no sense in allowing it to be used. We need stronger safeguards on the books to protect American health and communities from diesel threats to clean drinking water and other risks associated with fracking.” –Amy Mall, senior policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council

“Nobody wants to drink diesel-infused tap water. That’s why the oil and gas industry needs to stop pumping diesel underground during fracking. The risk to drinking water sources is too high and the oil and gas industry’s track record is too dismal. The EPA can and must ban this reckless practice.” –Jessica Ennis, legislative representative for Earthjustice.

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Chemical use in hydraulic fracturing

The drilling/fracking industry has created a web-site called FracFocus to present information and details on frack fluids, on the specific chemicals and their properties. Consider how many different chemicals are used in fracking: Surfactants, friction reducers, acids, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, iron control agents, crosslinkers, breakers, pH adjustors, scale inhibitors, gelling agents, KCl, and others. Many of the specific chemicals used are listed by FracFocus. And, the opportunity exists for drilling/fracking companies to list specific wells and the names of the chemicals that are being used. However, this is a hit and miss affair. There are very few wells posted. And, the legal status of this information is uncertain and possibly misleading.

Because diesel fuel contains BTEX compounds, i.e. benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and many other complex reactive organic compounds, such material is unusually dangerous. And, it is unlikely to decompose into safe material. So, there is great justification for a total ban on diesel fuel as a fracking agent.

For a detailed FrackCheckWV report on the chemicals used in shale fracking, see here.

Frack Check WV » Earthjustice

Subject to Appeal, FERC Approves Cove Point LNG Exports

Environmental Groups Call on US EPA to Ban Diesel Fuel in Fracking