FERC approves Cove Point LNG export facility

FERC approves Cove Point LNG export facility in Calvert County, Md.,with an
expected capacity of 5.75 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year.

Nicholas Cicale, in the FERC Blog, writes:

"This project application has given life and infamy to the #CovePoint search criteria on Twitter. Energy guru’s to ardent environmentalists have weighed in on the social media platform, whether it is a quick two cents or an admonishment of the FERC proceeding. I am not going to publish or give fame to any tweet in particular, but if you want a few moments of entertainment search “#CovePoint” on Twitter."

Cicale goes on the provide information on the project’s history. Read his full post here Related news stories:
FERC gives final approval to Cove Point LNG project – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
With caution, we support the Dominion Cove Point expansion – So Md News
ICYMI: Cove Point LNG, India Agreement & Radio Star Ernie – Roll Call (blog)
Dominion Resources intends to move fast on Cove Point – Richmond Times-Dispatch

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PADEP hits EQT with $4.5 M impoundment-leak fine

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a $4.5 million fine against EQT Corp.’s production division over a leaking impoundment at a Tioga County well site, Sam Kusic reports today in the Pittsburgh Business Times.
“EQT fails to recognize the ongoing environmental harm from the significant amount of waste released by its leaking 6-million-gallon impoundment,” Acting DEP Secretary Dana Aunkst said in a statement.
“This action was necessary because the company has not been cooperative during our investigation. The department does not tolerate this unacceptable attitude toward compliance and proper protection of Pennsylvania’s environment," Aunkst said.
The department said the exact amount of fluid that leaked is unknown, but is believed to be significant.

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NJ levies extreme fine on Extreme Energy Solution

A New Jersey company that claims to make devices that reduce pollution from cars has been fined $1.1 million on securities violations. The New Jersey Bureau of Securities ordered Extreme Energy Solutions, Inc. (EES), saying it had fraudulently sold unregistered stock and misled investors, Truman Lewis reports in Consumer Affairs. 

“The Bureau of Securities chief found that (company CEO Samuel) Burlum misled investors with a series of lies about his company’s current and future prospects for success,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “This $1.1 million civil penalty will serve as a deterrent and a clear reminder that we are watching, and that investors must also do their homework before investing.”

EES sells and installs a device called the SMART Emissions Reducer, formerly known as the InterCharger, which supposedly reduces automobile emissions and increases motor fuel efficiency.

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Federal grants for NJ fishing businesses hurt by Sandy

NJTV’s Lauren Wenko reports on how New Jerseyans whose fishing businesses were damaged–in some cases devastated–by Hurricane Sandy are now able to apply for federal grants to help them rebuild and restock.

Owners of bait and tackle shops like Brian Stensland (pictured above) can apply to the Department of Environmental Protection for grants of up to $10,000, along with commercial fishermen and dealers, for-hire party and charter boat operators, marinas and those in shell-fishing and aquaculture, like Ship Captain Arthur Ochse, pictured below.

The grant money is provided by NOAA as part of a federal fishery disaster declaration for states impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

Applicants must have a minimum of $5,000 in documented losses from the Superstorm, like lost or damaged fishing gear, replacement or repair of equipment or infrastructure and revenue lost in the months immediately after Sandy.

See Wenko’s video and text story: Grants for NJ Fishing Businesses Damaged by Sandy

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How a small town learned about a fracking pit neighbor

The next time you hear an oil and gas industry attorney talk about what good community neighbors their fracking facilities will be, remember Katherine Payne.

She’s the mayor of the tiny Texas town of Nordheim which is within a mile of where a fracking company plans to build a waste pit almost as large as the town itself.

How did the ‘good neighbor’ fracking company approach the mayor to explain its plans and seek approval? They didn’t. Mayor Payne discovered it in a legal notice in the classified section of her local newspaper.

The Center for Public Integrity produced the video report above. It’s well worth a look.

(If the video isn’t visible, click here)

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Corbett wants Feathers to fly the e-porn coop

Gov. Tom Corbett has called on one of his appointees to the state Board of Probation and Parole to resign, the latest official in his administration to be impacted by a widening pornographic email scandal.
Randy P. Feathers
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
"Mr. Corbett, through a spokesman Friday, called on board member Randy Feathers to resign. Mr. Feathers has served on the board since 2012; the position pays $115,932 annually.
"In a letter to the governor, Mr. Feathers requested the opportunity to have an independent forensics expert review the information released by the state Office of Attorney General Kathleen Kane.
"Mr. Feathers said he will consider resigning at the conclusion of the review if it is determined that he did not “uphold my professional responsibilities.”
"A board member can be removed “for cause” by the governor and with a two-thirds majority vote of the state Senate. A spokeswoman for the Board of Probation and Parole had no comment on the matter Friday evening. Senators return to Harrisburg on Monday. A spokesman for the Republican majority caucus said he “would anticipate strong bipartisan support if a vote is needed” on the matter."
On Thursday, the governor’s office announced the resignation of Christopher Abruzzo, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Glenn Parno, DEP deputy chief counsel.

In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Feathers said that Attorney General Kane "doesn’t have he best credibility with me." He asserted that he initiated none of the emails Kane has released, adding: I’m not gong to resign from a position because she says I did something. This is politics and I’m caught in the middle of it."

Feathers noted Kane’s past inquiry and criticism of how he and others handled the Sandusky case, a review he said was also politically motivated. "If this is the cost of putting Jerry Sandusky away for life, I’m willing to go through this," he said. "I’m a cop. That’s what I do. I’m not a p;politician."

Related news stories: 

Pennsylvania Capitol’s Porn Email Scandal: Appointee Won’t Quit 
Documents show sexual emails seemed funny to Attorney General’s staff 
Pa Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery sent explicit emails

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