Sunoco Pipeline plan draws political resistance

 
                                  The Sunoco refinery in Marcus Hook. (April Saul / Philadelphia Inquirer)

An elaborate plan by Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. to transport Marcellus Shale natural gas liquids by pipeline across Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook is running into resistance, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports today.

The company’s subsidiary, Sunoco Pipeline L.P., last month filed an application with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to sidestep local zoning restrictions to build pump and valve control stations in 31 municipalities crossed by the pipeline.

Sunoco Pipeline argues that it is a "public utility corporation," and that
the PUC can exempt the construction of the above-ground structure from local zoning if it determines the buildings are "reasonably necessary for the
convenience or welfare of the public."

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A pumping station slated to be built on a two-acre site at the corner of Boot
Road and Route 202 in West Goshen Township has triggered alarm.

Two suburban Philadelphia state senators on Wednesday wrote to the PUC, contending that the exemptions would conflict with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in December upholding local zoning rights over oil and gas activity.

Read the full story: Sunoco Pipeline plan draws political resistance

Sunoco Pipeline plan draws political resistance Read More »

Will you know if a fracker next door polluted your well?

fracking rig and farm So you’re farming a bucolic little site in Pennsylvania, assuming that the well water you use to grow your crops and nourish your livestock has not been tainted by the operations of the nearby natural gas drilling site.

After all, it there was a problem, the state Department of Environmental Protection would notify you, right?  Wrong.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports today that:

“Even when pollution discharges from shale gas well pads and impoundments contaminate private water supplies, those violations often go unrecorded or publicly reported by state environmental regulators, according to documents filed in the Pennsylvania Superior Court case challenging the constitutionality of the state’s oil and gas law, Act 13.

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“According to a 40-page brief, filed with the court in Harrisburg, it is the "practice" of state Department of Environmental Protection regulators not to issue a violation notice, fines or formal determinations of contamination where shale gas development companies reach private settlements with water well owners. “That DEP "practice," which began during the Rendell administration and continues to the present day, makes it impossible, according to the brief, for the public to know where and when groundwater, wells and springs are contaminated, because there is no publicly accessible record.” Related environmental news stories:
Fracking California’s Coast: Billions of Gallons of Fracking Pollution
State Senator Vincent Hughes Announces Legislation to Tax Natural
Natural gas industry buoyed by advancing technology 
Shale gas drilling could be boost to Allegheny County parks
Citi: Natural Gas Prices Don’t Reflect Risks – Wall Street Journal (blog) 
Pa. Farm Bureau takes on natural gas drilling companies in royalty disputes

Recent Posts:
NJ’s Kimberly Diamond to lead Women of Wind Energy
Happy Birthday to Us–We’re 25 today! 
Capitol Hill Calendar: April 2-4, 2014 
Pennsylvania neighbors bicker over forced gas drilling


Will you know if a fracker next door polluted your well? Read More »

NJ's Kimberly Diamond to lead Women of Wind Energy

Kimberly E. Diamond of Berkeley Heights, NJ has recently been appointed as Chair of the New York/New Jersey Chapter oWomen of Wind Energy (WoWE).
Chapter members include professionals from all areas of the wind industry, including investment bankers, lawyers, consultants, and developers.

Diamond, an attorney with Lowenstein Sandler LLP in the firm’s New York City office, has held a number of influential positions in the NY/NJ WoWE Chapter and in the national WoWE organization for over five years. 
In addition to serving on WoWE’s National Mentoring Steering Committee for several years, she has mentored professionals and graduate students in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and San Diego, CA.  She received the 2011 Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award during the inaugural year of such award.
For more, see: TheAlternativePress.com 

NJ's Kimberly Diamond to lead Women of Wind Energy Read More »

Happy Birthday to Us–We’re 25 today!

Brill Public Affairs celebrates it’s 25th year today. And that’s no April Fool’s joke.

From a single room in the basement of Tom Leach’s office condo on West State Street in Trenton, to more spacious quarters in numerous locations, we’ve been serving a list of lobbying and public relations clients with dedication and pride for—a quarter of a century? Wow, that number is hard to believe.

It’s been fast, fun and rewarding. We’ve scored significant victories over the years but are still innovating and growing with each new client and business opportunity. Five years ago, we started a daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics, to serve businesses, associations, and professionals who need to stay on top of environmental news and legislation.

That worked out so well that we added EnviroPolitics Blog and Enviro-Events Calendar.
More recently, we’ve been tinkering with EnviroPolitics Podcast.

Any success we’ve enjoyed along the way is due to great colleagues, friends and clients.

The latter category has included:

  • 3M – Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
  • Association of New Jersey Recyclers
  • B&B Automotive
  • Browning Ferris Industries
  • Chemsol Superfund Site
  • DeFeo Associates
  • Elizabethtown Water Company
  • Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
  • National Solid Wastes Management Association
  • National Nutritional Foods Association
  • New Jersey Farm Bureau
  • NJ Auto and Metal Recyclers Association
  • NJ Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association
  • Northeast Spa and Pool Association
  • Portable Rechargeable Battery Association
  • Sims Recycling Solutions
  • Woodland Private Study Group

We’ve been in good company. Great stuff lies ahead. We invite you to stay in touch.

Happy Birthday to Us–We’re 25 today! Read More »

Capitol Hill Calendar: April 2-4, 2014

 


Hearings on Energy and Environment Issues and Legislation


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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014

HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Subcommittee on Energy and Power
10:00 a.m. 2123 Rayburn
and Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, joint hearing entitled "The Fiscal Year 2015 EPA Budget", 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
10:30 a.m. 2322 Rayburn
Hearing entitled "Ensuring the Security, Stability, Resilience, and Freedom of the Global Internet", 10:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
10:00 a.m. 2167 Rayburn (202) 226-0727
Hearing entitled "The President’s Fiscal Year 2015 Budget: Administration Priorities for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers", 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
2:00 p.m. 2167 Rayburn (202) 226-0727
Hearing entitled "Examining Issues for Hazardous Materials Reauthorization", 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn.
 
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
2:30 p.m. SD-192
To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2015 for the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior, 2:30 p.m., SD-192.
 
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
3:00 p.m. SD-124
To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2015 for the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army, 3 p.m., SD-124.
 


THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
9:30 a.m. B-308 Rayburn
Hearing on National Park Service FY 2015 Budget, 9:30 a.m., B-308 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
10:00 a.m. 2362-A Rayburn
Hearing on USDA Food Safety FY 2015 Budget, 10 a.m., 2362-A Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
10:00 a.m. 2362-B Rayburn
Hearing on Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration FY 2015 Budget, 10 a.m., 2362-B Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
10:00 a.m. 2358-A Rayburn
Hearing on Oversight of Department of Transportation Modes, 10 a.m., 2358-A Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
1:30 p.m. B-308 Rayburn
Hearing on United States Fish and Wildlife Service FY 2015 Budget, 1:30 p.m., B-308 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
2:00 p.m. 2362-B Rayburn
On FY 2015 Budget, 2 p.m., 2362-B Rayburn.
 
HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
10:00 a.m. 2123 Rayburn
Hearing entitled "Fiscal Year 2015 Department of Energy Budget", 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs 2:00 p.m. 1334 Longworth 202-226-0200 Hearing on the following legislation: H.R. 69, the "Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2013"; H.R. 2646, the "REFI Pacific Act"; and legislation regarding the Pirate Fishing Elimination Act, 2 p.m., 1334 Longworth.
HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs
2:00 p.m. 1324 Longworth 202-225-0691
Hearing entitled "Implementing the Cobell Settlement: Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned"
2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.


SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
10:00 a.m. SD-406 Business meeting to consider S. 491, to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to modify provisions relating to grants, S. 1961, to protect surface water from contamination by chemical storage facilities, S. 224, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a grant program to support the restoration of San Francisco Bay, S. 2080, to conserve fish and aquatic communities in the D338United States through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation, improve the quality of life for the people of the United States, enhance fish and wildlife-dependent recreation, S. 2042, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, S. 1934, to direct the Administrator of General Services to convey the Clifford P. Hansen Federal Courthouse back to Teton County, Wyoming, S. 2055, to allow for the collection of certain user fees by non-Federal entities, Corps Study Resolution: Point Judith, Rhode Island, and GSA Resolutions, 10 a.m., SD-406.


FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014


HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
9:00 a.m. 2359 Rayburn
Hearing on Department of Justice FY 2015 Budget, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
9:30 a.m. B-308 Rayburn

 

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
2:00 p.m. 1334 Longworth 202-226-0200
Hearing on the following legislation: H.R. 69, the "Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2013"; H.R. 2646, the "REFI Pacific Act"; and legislation regarding the Pirate Fishing Elimination Act, 2 p.m., 1334 Longworth.
 
SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
10:00 a.m. SD-406
Business meeting to consider S. 491, to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to modify provisions relating to grants, S. 1961, to protect surface water from contamination by chemical storage facilities, S. 224, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a grant program to support the restoration of San Francisco Bay, S. 2080, to conserve fish and aquatic communities in the D338United States through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation, improve the quality of life for the people of the United States, enhance fish and wildlife-dependent recreation, S. 2042, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, S. 1934, to direct the Administrator of General Services to convey the Clifford P. Hansen Federal Courthouse back to Teton County, Wyoming, S. 2055, to allow for the collection of certain user fees by non-Federal entities, Corps Study Resolution: Point Judith, Rhode Island, and GSA Resolutions, 10 a.m., SD-406.
 
 

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014


HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
9:00 a.m. 2359 Rayburn
Hearing on Department of Justice FY 2015 Budget, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
9:30 a.m. B-308 Rayburn Hearing on Bureau of Land Management FY 2015 Budget, 9:30 a.m., B-308 Rayburn  

Hearing on Bureau of Land Management FY 2015

 

 
 
 

Plan calls for $10B artificial islands to protect NJ coast  New Jersey legislation seeks to plug holes in solar roofs  
Port Authority Chairman David Samson resigns   
Shell closer to decision on ethane cracker plant in Pa 
 

Capitol Hill Calendar: April 2-4, 2014 Read More »

Pennsylvania neighbors bicker over forced gas drilling

fracking - pressconnects photo

An energy company is dusting off an old, unused state law that can force property owners to accept oil and gas drilling under their land, pitting neighbor against neighbor in a Pennsylvania community and raising the possibility that lawmakers will have to take sides, the Associated Press reports.

Houston-based Hilcorp seeks to use a 1961 Pennsylvania law to drill under the property of four holdout landowners in New Bedford, near the Ohio border an hour north of Pittsburgh.

The concept, known as "forced pooling," means that people who don’t sign leases get bundled in with those who do, to make drilling more efficient and compensate all the landowners.

The stakes are high. Property owners can reap royalties totaling hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars from drilling in the Utica Shale formation, which lies below the better-known Marcellus Shale.

Full story at: New Jersey Herald – Neighbors bicker in Pa. over forced gas drilling 

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Recent posts:
Plan calls for $10B artificial islands to protect NJ coast 
New Jersey legislation seeks to plug holes in solar roofs 
Port Authority Chairman David Samson resigns  
Shell closer to decision on ethane cracker plant in Pa 
In New Jersey, playing that ole RGGI song once more    

Pennsylvania neighbors bicker over forced gas drilling Read More »