EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 2/26/24

PIPELINE NEWS

• Press release: Indigenous Led Environmental Organization Files Complaint with United Nations About Human Rights Violations from Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)

• Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Summit Carbon’s POET connections ‘not finalized’ as company eyes defunct Navigator routes

• DTN Progressive Farmer: Summit CEO: CO2 Pipeline’s Time is Now

• Bismarck Tribune: Burleigh County to ask PSC to reconsider local ordinance decision; issue tied to Summit’s CO2 pipeline

• Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa lawmakers divided over CO2 pipeline authority

• North Dakota Monitor: Lack of federal support overwhelmed law enforcement during DAPL, officials testify

• North Dakota Monitor: Former Gov. Dalrymple takes witness stand at DAPL damages trial

• Public News Service: Proposed gas pipeline rule could help keep UT communities safe

• Public News Service: Advocates push for swift update of gas pipeline safety rules

WASHINGTON UPDATES

• E&E News: Granholm fleshes out views of LNG pause

• E&E News: Lawmakers pitch rider against Biden gas export pause

• Associated Press: EPA approves year-round sales of higher ethanol blend in 8 Midwest states

• E&E News: A Major EPA Climate Rule Is Stuck In Limbo

• E&E News: Manchin sets hearing on efforts to drill for geologic hydrogen

• U.S. Department of the Interior: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $50 Million from Investing in America Agenda to Clean Up Legacy Pollution on Federal Lands and Waters

STATE UPDATES

• The Detroit News: Some Michigan lawmakers say it’s time to ban political contributions by DTE, Consumers

• NBC Chicago: After recent leaks, residents near Whiting BP oil refinery demand action from state regulators

• Colorado Sun: Mileage goals, pollution fines, drilling pauses: Colorado Democrats unveil ambitious package to cut ozone 

EXTRACTION

• Associated Press: The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have created an 18-mile oil slick and an ‘environmental disaster’ that could only get worse, U.S. military says

• Natural Gas World: The Role of CCUS Must Not be Overlooked

CLIMATE FINANCE

• E&E News: Exxon Asks Court To Keep Anti-Climate Initiative Lawsuit Alive 

OPINION

• Dakota Scout: Ethanol industry will survive without pipeline

• CleanTechnica: ExxonMobil’s CO2 Sequestration Is Just A Tiny Fraction Of Its CO2 Emissions
  

PIPELINE NEWS

Press release: Indigenous Led Environmental Organization Files Complaint with United Nations About Human Rights Violations from Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)
2/22/24

“Today, 7 Directions of Service filed a lengthy communication (see below) with the U.N. Human Rights Commission officials tasked with investigating, reporting on, and recommending to governments and businesses to cure human rights violations related to toxic chemicals, cultural rights, minority rights, human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples… “In the last nine years, five or more indigenous water protectors and land defenders have been arrested for protecting these sacred sites that the MVP is desecrating. The letter, three documents, and a 60-page report from organizations allege that the Mountain Valley Pipeline has violated human rights for nearly a decade. Also, 7 Directions of Service notes that the MVP has violated the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Articles 11, 26, and 29. We, the indigenous peoples of the Monacan, Saponi, and Occaneechi of West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, have the right to preserve and transmit our culture and protect our sacred sites and artifacts. 7 Directions of Service demands, among other remedies, that the Mountain Valley Pipeline polluters be held accountable for violation of human rights, destruction and desecration of sacred sites, mountains, and rivers, and provide clean-up costs for all impacted residents of West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.  This is the first time an Indigenous-led organization has formally requested the United Nations to characterize and intervene with special procedures as a human rights violation under international law. 7 Directions of Service complaint seeks from the Special Rapporteurs a statement confirming violations of indigenous peoples’ and community citizens’ right to clean drinking water, protection from toxic chemicals, a healthy environment, their right to protection from destruction, and their right to an effective remedy… “7 Directions of Service also requests that the Special Rapporteur make specific asks of MVP, FERC, and Virginia DEQ to stop the work order for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) due to repeated and widespread violations and damage to waterbodies, destruction of sacred burial mounds, graves, sacred sites, and private properties.”  

Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Summit Carbon’s POET connections ‘not finalized’ as company eyes defunct Navigator routes
Dominik Dausch, 2/23/24

“For Summit Carbon Solutions, bringing POET, a Sioux Falls-based worldwide leader in biofuel production, onto their ambitious carbon dioxide pipeline network was practically the deal of the year,” the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports. “…Sabrina Zenor, Summit Carbon’s communications director, told the Argus Leader on Wednesday all potential pipeline routes meant to connect to POET’s ethanol facilities “haven’t [been] finalized.” “…Just as well, an Argus Leader inquiry found that Summit Carbon has been performing “constructability reviews” of currently defunct pipeline routes proposed by Navigator CO2 Ventures, a former rival of the Iowa developer that shuttered its own CO2 sequestration project in October… “Summit Carbon said in its Jan. 29 joint press release it will include the South Dakota POET plants in its second permit application… “Whether or not Navigator’s route is being incorporated into our route, I couldn’t tell you,” Zenor told the Argus Leader. “I don’t have those answers. I’m not privy to those conversations.” “…Jessica Mazour, Iowa Sierra Club conservation program coordinator, told the Argus Leader on Wednesday the constructability reviews conducted by Summit Carbon pose a transparency issue. She argued the company is “try[ing] to line things up before the public is notified.” “If they have a better idea of where they’re actually going, even though they might not have a certain route, they have the heads up in a community to try to get buy-in before any local opposition because local opposition is not notified,” Mazour told the Argus Leader. “There’s a lot of newly impacted counties on this Phase 2 route … It creates an unfair advantage.” “…For landowners who signed agreements with Navigator, Mazour told the Argus Leader there’s room for Summit Carbon to take advantage of some legal loopholes. In particular, the provision of the law that covers hazardous liquid pipeline storage facilities requires Summit Carbon to hold public informational meetings “in each county in which real property or property rights will be affected,” Tormey said. But the IUB spokesperson did not elaborate on whether a pipeline company — in this case, Summit Carbon — needs to hold informational meetings for in counties where easements obtained by another exist — potentially, Navigator.”

DTN Progressive Farmer: Summit CEO: CO2 Pipeline’s Time is Now
Todd Neeley, 2/23/24

“Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank was blunt in his assessment of where things stand on the development of the Midwest Carbon Express CO2 pipeline, during the National Ethanol Conference in San Diego on Tuesday,” DTN Progressive Farmer reports. “Although regulatory disputes and opposition from environmental groups recently took down Summit’s competition in Navigator CO2, Blank said his company’s own ongoing battles have stiffened resolve to build the carbon pipeline across Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska… “If you see the project and you support the project, it’s no time to be meek and it’s no time to be mild,” Blank told ethanol producers and farmers during a panel discussion on Tuesday. “Now is the time because we’re right up against these permits. We’re right up against legislation and now is the time that if we want this project to be completed, then we believe it’s really good for the industry. And I think we all know now is the time. This will not happen again. No one will take this on to try and take these hurdles on this again and spend a lot of money, hit these political environments, utility commissions that have made it very, very difficult. Now is the time.” “…There is potential for another wave of economic expansion in rural communities similar to the early days of the Renewable Fuel Standard starting in 2005 if ethanol producers can become part of the SAF expansion. Blank said that opportunity is why Summit continues to press forward. “It really has just hardened our attitude towards accomplishing this project,” he said… “Blank said the company continues to work with officials in various counties and has acquired about 75% of the land needed in South Dakota… “Blank said it was a “very loud minority” of people expressing opposition to the project. The focus of the opposition, he said, keeps evolving as the company addresses concerns raised… “Blank said the Summit executive team held 10 safety meetings in South Dakota where they invited 4,000 residents to attend — only 150 people attended. “We don’t have a safety issue,” he said.

Bismarck Tribune: Burleigh County to ask PSC to reconsider local ordinance decision; issue tied to Summit’s CO2 pipeline
JOEY HARRIS, 2/22/24

“The Burleigh County Commission will petition North Dakota regulators to reconsider a finding that state authority automatically overrides local rules in pipeline siting decisions,” the Bismarck Tribune reports. “Commissioners also will consider taking the matter to court if their request to the state Public Service Commission is rejected… “Burleigh and Emmons counties last year placed restrictions on pipelines carrying hazardous materials within their borders, in response to Summit’s project. The company sought to have the PSC declare these ordinances automatically preempted and superseded by state authority… “State regulators earlier this month ultimately sided with Summit’s arguments, citing changes to state law from 2019 in which the word “may” was removed from the language regarding the PSC’s authority relative to localities in pipeline siting decisions… “Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer voiced her disagreement with the PSC’s legal interpretation to the county commission on Wednesday… “The commission voted unanimously to ask the PSC to reconsider its finding. Lawyer added that Burleigh County could also appeal the decision in court.”

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa lawmakers divided over CO2 pipeline authority
Caleb McCullough, 2/23/24

“As opponents of carbon dioxide capture pipelines continue to lobby lawmakers for restrictions on eminent domain, the prospect of legislative action on the projects this year is unclear,” the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports. “Proposed pipelines to capture CO2 emitted at ethanol plants for underground storage have sparked controversy as environmentalists and landowners opposed to the use of eminent domain have lobbied to block their construction… “ “Opponents say eminent domain should not be used for projects that benefit a private company, and some environmental groups argue they are not an adequate solution for greenhouse gas emissions… “Though HF 2522 passed in the House Judiciary Committee, it has not been taken up for a floor vote and there is no companion bill in the Iowa Senate. The House has passed bills the last two sessions limiting the scope of eminent domain for carbon capture pipeline projects, but they have not received hearings in the Senate… “House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst told the Gazette the responsibility is with the Senate to join the conversation on the issue and take up the bill the House passed last year with majorities of both parties… “Senate Republicans have chosen not to bring this up or address it in any way,” Konfrst told the Gazette. “So it doesn’t matter how many bills we pass out if the Senate Republicans and the governor aren’t engaged in the conversation. It’s just more politics.” Opponents have been making weekly trips to the Capitol to urge lawmakers to enact stricter eminent domain restrictions… “Julie Glade, who owns land in Wright County along Summit Carbon Solutions’ route and has not signed an easement with the company, told the Gazette she wants to see more action from lawmakers.”

North Dakota Monitor: Lack of federal support overwhelmed law enforcement during DAPL, officials testify
MARY STEURER, 2/22/24

“The Dakota Access Pipeline protests would not have mushroomed in size had law enforcement received better support from the federal government, a county sheriff tasked with managing the demonstrations testified,” the North Dakota Monitor reports. “Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said during a federal trial that U.S. agencies ignored multiple requests from North Dakota for assistance during the protests against the pipeline’s construction in 2016 and 2017… “Attorneys representing the United States, meanwhile, have said North Dakota is overstating the cost of the protests and is asking the federal government to be held responsible for events outside its jurisdiction… “The state’s witnesses so far have largely been law enforcement personnel who have described responding to the protests and their experience with federal agencies… “Traynor openly criticized the Corps during Kirchmeier’s testimony. “The Corps of Engineers was playing with the law and they knew it,” the judge interjected… “The FBI was involved in investigating some criminal cases connected to the protests, Perry said. The FBI had five to 10 paid informants within the protest camp, he said… “The United States has not yet had time to call its own witnesses. Former Gov. Jack Dalrymple is expected to take the stand Friday. Gov. Doug Burgum also is expected to testify.”

North Dakota Monitor: Former Gov. Dalrymple takes witness stand at DAPL damages trial
2/25/24

“The public may never get a satisfying explanation as to why federal agencies refused North Dakota additional support during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, former Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Friday,” the North Dakota Monitor reports. “Bureaucracy is a great place to hide,” he said after wrapping up testimony in U.S. District Court in Bismarck. North Dakota is asking a judge to order the U.S. to pay $38 million to reimburse the money it spent policing the DAPL protests — an expense the state claims directly resulted from poor decision making by federal officials. Attorneys for the United States have countered that North Dakota has exaggerated the cost of the demonstrations and that the federal government’s actions did not influence the course of the protests. The U.S. has also said North Dakota is unfairly trying to blame the federal government for events that were not its responsibility… “Dalrymple isn’t the only governor expected to testify in the trial — Gov. Doug Burgum is slated to take the stand Monday. Henderson, an Army Corps of Engineer liaison during the DAPL protests, is also scheduled to appear as a witness early next week.”

Public News Service: Proposed gas pipeline rule could help keep UT communities safe
Alex Gonzalez, 2/26/24

“One Utah public lands advocate is standing behind the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s proposed rule which aims to improve oversight and reduce pollution from the nation’s three million miles of U.S. natural gas pipelines,” Public News Service reports. ”Ashley Korenblat is the managing director for Public Lands Solutions. She told PNS the rule is critical to “move the needle,” in an effort to slow climate change, and contends it would play a significant role in what she called “rural public land communities,” in the Beehive State. “The leaks reduce the amount of gas collected and thus lower royalty payments which many counties depend on,” Korenblat told PNS. “So that is a problem. The leaks also damage air quality near important recreation assets like national parks, bike trails, climbing areas and other public lands that are economic drivers for rural communities.” Korenblat told PNS companies are moving to states like Utah in search of a better quality of life, but adds that poor air quality in oil dependent communities damages their future of economic prosperity.”

Public News Service: Advocates push for swift update of gas pipeline safety rules
Danielle Smith, 2/26/24

“Pennsylvania environmental groups want to see a new rule implemented to improve the detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines,” Public News Service reports. “The Keystone State has over 94,000 miles of pipelines used to transport natural gas. Rachel Meyer – Ohio River Valley field organizer with the group Moms Clean Air Force – told PNS it’s important that the rule be finalized, to improve safety, and reduce climate-harming methane emissions. She added that these pipelines can leak and pose a safety risk to nearby communities. “When it leaks from pipelines, natural gas contributes to the climate crisis by releasing the potent greenhouse gas methane,” Meyer told PNS. “Natural gas is composed primarily of methane. Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the first 20 years it’s in the atmosphere.” “…Meyer lives in Independence Township, a rural part of Beaver County in Southwestern Pennsylvania. She told PNS there are several gas pipelines near her home, and she said she worries about the danger from potential fires and explosions. Meyer told PNS five years ago, the Revolution gas pipeline exploded, just five miles away. It destroyed a family’s home and pets, and caused damage in the community.”

WASHINGTON UPDATES

E&E News: Granholm fleshes out views of LNG pause
Brian Dabbs, 2/22/24

“Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm promised global allies Wednesday that the U.S. will continue to ship liquefied natural gas for years to come, rejecting accusations that the Biden administration is aiming to “ban” LNG exports,” E&E News reports. “The bottom line is: This is not going to impact any relationship that we our allies or their ability to access energy. We would not be doing it if it did,” Granholm said during an event at the National Press Club in Washington. “It’s only a monthslong pause. It’s not a ban. “We will continue to be the largest exporter in the world,” she said, referring to LNG… “Republican attorneys general are threatening legal action, and some Democratic party loyalists are bucking the administration.”

E&E News: Lawmakers pitch rider against Biden gas export pause
Nico Portuondo, 2/23/24

“House lawmakers from both parties are pitching a policy rider for upcoming spending legislation that would effectively eliminate President Joe Biden’s liquefied natural gas export permitting pause,” E&E News reports. “Members of the Energy Export Caucus — led by Rep. Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) — sent a letter Friday asking congressional leaders to include a policy rider in the final fiscal 2024 Energy-Water bill to prohibit funds from being used to modify public interest review standards for liquefied natural gas export approvals. “The Department of Energy has also confirmed that American LNG is up to 30% cleaner than Russian natural gas, and if we do not fulfill the demand for LNG and let other countries like Russia control the markets, emissions will continue to rise,” the lawmakers wrote. “Given these grave concerns, we request that the final Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Act include bill language prohibiting funds from being used to modify, alter, or change the public interest review,” they said. Appropriators are racing to finalize and pass a set of four spending bills — including the Energy title — by March 1 before a partial shutdown… “Democrats have lobbied against what they see as poison-pill riders, but the LNG export pause has attracted significant bipartisan angst. The LNG letter includes Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Mary Peltola of Alaska, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas and Jim Costa of California.”

Associated Press: EPA approves year-round sales of higher ethanol blend in 8 Midwest states
SCOTT MCFETRIDGE, 2/22/24

“Drivers in eight Midwestern states will be able to fuel up with a higher blend of ethanol throughout the year under a final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency,” the Associated Press reports. “The biofuels industry and farming groups, with support of Midwest governors, sought the end of a summertime ban on sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol for years. The higher blend has been prohibited because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather. The move reflects the importance of ethanol to agriculture. The fuel additive consumes roughly 40% of the nation’s corn crop, so higher sales of ethanol could mean greater profits for corn farmers. The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin… “However, environmentalists and others have said increased ethanol production can increase carbon releases because it results in more corn production, leading to increased use of fertilizer and greater releases of nitrate. Synthetic and natural fertilizers also are a leading source of water pollution… “Petroleum refiners have opposed the Midwest-specific rules, saying a special blend in one region would increase costs and could lead to tighter fuel supplies. The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group, told AP a national standard was needed.”

E&E News: A Major EPA Climate Rule Is Stuck In Limbo
Robin Bravender, 2/22/24

“EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi arrived at international climate negotiations in the United Arab Emirates late last year with a big announcement: The Biden team had finalized a major climate rule aimed at slashing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry,” E&E News reports. “But nearly three months later, the rule hasn’t been officially printed by the government. It’s a process that typically takes just a few days. It’s a technicality that’s wonky, but important. It means the clock hasn’t started for the rule to take effect. It’s also stressing out environmental and public health advocates who fear a broader bureaucratic bottleneck as the Biden administration hustles to roll out lengthy and ambitious policies this year with a looming threat of possible rollbacks from a second Trump administration.”

E&E News: Manchin sets hearing on efforts to drill for geologic hydrogen
Christian Robles, 2/26/24

“The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will review efforts to drill for hydrogen and use it as zero-carbon fuel,” E&E News reports. “The full committee — led by Chair Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) — will meet for the hearing titled “Opportunities and Challenges Associated With Developing Geologic Hydrogen in the United States.” The CEO of a startup looking for locations to drill for geologic hydrogen in the U.S. will testify, along with an official from the Energy and Interior departments. Experts say geologic hydrogen could provide the U.S. with an abundant source of cheap and clean energy. However, there are only a handful of startups in the U.S. that have announced plans to drill geologic hydrogen from the ground, and none of them has reached commercial scale.”

U.S. Department of the Interior: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $50 Million from Investing in America Agenda to Clean Up Legacy Pollution on Federal Lands and Waters
2/22/24

“The Department of the Interior today announced a $50.5 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to put people to work plugging, remediating and reclaiming orphaned oil and gas well sites located in national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and on other public lands and waters. Five bureaus within the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture will address 123 high-priority polluting wells that pose threats to human health and safety, the climate, and wildlife… “Today’s allocation is part of a total of $250 million provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up orphaned well sites on federal public lands and is in addition to $4.3 billion to plug orphaned wells on state and private lands. Today’s announcement brings the total allocated to address orphaned wells on federal lands to date to approximately $150 million, which is estimated to fund the plugging of nearly 600 orphaned wells on federal lands and waters, 172 of which have already been addressed. The $50.5 million investment will be distributed across 19 states, covering a diverse array of projects, including plugging, reclamation, methane measurement, and infrastructure removal at various national parks, wildlife refuges, and national forests as well as offshore oilfield locations. 70 percent of selected projects will benefit communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. This program advances the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.”

STATE UPDATES

The Detroit News: Some Michigan lawmakers say it’s time to ban political contributions by DTE, Consumers
Craig Mauger, 2/22/24

“A group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled bills Thursday, aiming to ban Michigan’s influential electric utilities, including DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, from making political contributions,” The Detroit News reports. “The proposals, which could face opposition from legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle, would mark a seismic shift in Michigan government. In the last decade, DTE and Consumers, which benefit from strict government-set limits on competition, have been among the largest political spenders in the state and have scored a series of policy wins. Two politically focused nonprofit organizations tied to DTE and Consumers combined to spend $9.4 million in 2022 alone, according to filings with the Internal Revenue Service. Of that total, the two groups gave $950,000 to a nonprofit connected to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. At a press conference in Lansing, state Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, argued that Michigan had some of the worst energy services and highest rates in the Midwest because of the utilities’ successful efforts to influence lawmakers. “This legislation will force utility companies to focus on improving their services instead of increasing their profits,” said Wegela, the lead sponsor of the bills.

NBC Chicago: After recent leaks, residents near Whiting BP oil refinery demand action from state regulators
Randy Gyllenhaal, 2/22/24

“Fed-up neighbors held protest signs and filled a conference room in Whiting, Ind. Thursday, urging state regulators to take action in the wake of multiple incidents at a nearby oil refinery,” NBC Chicago reports. “Fed-up neighbors held protest signs and filled a conference room in Whiting, Ind. Thursday, urging state regulators to take action in the wake of multiple incidents at a nearby oil refinery. Operated by British Petroleum, the refinery has stood near Lake Michigan for more than a century. But in the past month, the Whiting BP refinery suffered multiple leaks and a shutdown. “I think we just have to open our mouths and not put up with this,” resident Lynn Haynes told NBC as she arrived at the meeting run by Indiana’s Department of Environmental Management. “There’s more days you just smell something. It’s terrible. You can’t even breathe.” “…In January, two separate leaks sent fumes and nasty smells into the air as BP was forced to burn off chemicals. The smell even reached parts of Illinois. In early February, a sudden power outage left the plant shutdown indefinitely. “We need to know immediately when that plant is in trouble to be ready to stay indoors or leave,” Carolyn Marsh, a resident who urged officials to deny BP’s permit, or at least install more monitors and warning systems, told NBC.”

Colorado Sun: Mileage goals, pollution fines, drilling pauses: Colorado Democrats unveil ambitious package to cut ozone 
Michael Booth, 2/22/24

“Democrats and environmental justice advocates Thursday unveiled an ambitious package of ozone-fighting bills that would “pause” oil and gas drilling in summer months, set caps on miles driven in gasoline-powered cars and increase pollution fines for “repeat offenders” like the Suncor refinery,” the Colorado Sun reports. “A bill with some similar ozone-fighting provisions was gutted in the 2023 legislative session, but advocates say an interim legislative committee since then has landed broader buy-in at the Capitol for tough ozone measures. Consent from Gov. Jared Polis’ administration is also key to any air quality bills advancing.  “This is the time,” Rep. Jennifer Bacon said during a spirited Capitol press conference with a wide coalition of sponsoring legislators and community groups. “Colorado is demanding that breathing not be dangerous.” Oil and gas interests immediately signaled a battle, renewing their claims that regulations passed in recent years will make a big dent in ozone components in coming years. Trade groups say environmental advocates want to end all oil and gas activity, which oil and gas officials argue is key to the Colorado economy. A bill was introduced earlier this month that would back a ban on all new oil drilling after 2030, though it has been assigned to an unfriendly committee in the state Senate and is not backed by the same broad environmental coalition. Capitol Republicans also vowed to fight the ozone measures.”

EXTRACTION

Associated Press: The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have created an 18-mile oil slick and an ‘environmental disaster’ that could only get worse, U.S. military says
SAMY MAGDY, 2/24/24

“An attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on a Belize-flagged ship earlier this month caused an 18-mile (29-kilometer) oil slick, the U.S. military said Saturday,” the Associated Press reports. “It also warned of the danger of a spill from the vessel’s cargo of fertilizer. The Rubymar, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo vessel, was attacked on Feb. 18 while sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, U.S. Central Command said. The missile attack forced the crew to abandon the vessel, which had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. It was transporting more than 41,000 tons of fertilizer, CENTCOM said in a statement. The vessel suffered significant damage, which led to the slick, said the CENTCOM statement, warning that the ship’s cargo “could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster.” “…The Associated Press, relying on satellite images from Planet Labs PBC of the stricken vessel, reported Tuesday that the vessel was leaking oil in the Red Sea.”

Natural Gas World: The Role of CCUS Must Not be Overlooked
2/26/24

“CCUS has a vital part to play in the energy transition, but capacity needs to reach the gigatonne scale by the early 2030s,” according to Natural Gas World. “The International Energy Agency (IEA) drew no small amount of ire from the natural gas industry in November, when it issued a report that cautioned against overreliance on carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) as a means of tackling emissions over the coming decades. Emboldened by the conclusions of the report, there has been a chorus of NGOs and media outlets once more attacking the technology, describing it as a dangerous distraction from decarbonisation efforts. CCUS is too expensive and technologically unproven, and locks in fossil fuel use for too long, they say…”

CLIMATE FINANCE

E&E News: Exxon Asks Court To Keep Anti-Climate Initiative Lawsuit Alive 
Lesley Clark, 2/23/24

“Exxon Mobil is urging a federal court to keep its lawsuit against shareholders alive, even after investor groups withdrew their resolutions seeking to force the oil company to reduce planet-warming emissions,” E&E News reports.  “In a Wednesday court filing, Exxon said that its case against shareholder groups Arjuna Capital and Follow This would ‘stop defendants’ cycle of shareholder activism that burdens it each proxy season.’ While the Securities and Exchange Commission traditionally handles disputes over whether companies must take up shareholder proposals, Exxon filed its lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in January. Attorneys for the company say a ‘breakdown of the shareholder proposal process’ has allowed activists ‘to advance their agendas through a flood of proposals.’ Exxon’s most recent filing comes after the judge in the case questioned whether the lawsuit is still viable, given the lack of a pending proposal. The company said that since 2014, it has received 141 shareholder proposals — an average of 14 per year — compared to fewer than three proposals received annually by the average S&P 500 company.”

OPINION

Dakota Scout: Ethanol industry will survive without pipeline
Dennis and Carol Kapperman, Minnehaha County, 2/24/24

“Have the symptoms of carbon dioxide (CO2) exposure already reached the people of South Dakota?,” Dennis and Carol Kapperman write for the Dakota Scout. “…So why the debate on the CO2 pipeline? It all started with the U.S. Department of Energy offering billions of government tax dollars for carbon reduction intended for lowering the CO2 content in the earth’s atmosphere by cleaning up the pollutants from large fossil fuel-burning refineries. The ethanol industry did not create such a scheme. It has always been profitable, and will continue to be profitable, and is the least CO2 producing fuel currently in the business… “Along comes the proponents who work on ways to fleece the government programs with their idealistic offering of immediate riches, only with the intent of fattening their own wallets… “Last but not least, the use of Eminent Domain to consume private property with no regards to South Dakota property owners and local governments, the environment or its natural resources along the projected pipeline path. We sit through meeting after meeting and listened to those pushing for this CO2 pipeline, hearing how their rights are being obstructed. Meanwhile they are taking away our property rights as individuals who oppose eminent domain. Our elected officials say they cannot change rules in the middle of the game. What game? This is individuals’ livelihood we are talking about. Nothing in this project is set in stone, no permits have been filed, no pipe has been placed in the ground and no safety precautions have been put in place. Nothing… “The taking of private property by private companies for private financial gain does not qualify. CO2 is not an energy product. CO2 is not something every individual can use daily, as is water, electricity, highways, oil, parks, schools, etc. We are asking for a level playing field in not allowing the use of eminent domain that takes away our property rights.”

CleanTechnica: ExxonMobil’s CO2 Sequestration Is Just A Tiny Fraction Of Its CO2 Emissions
Michael Barnard, 2/25/24

“ExxonMobil spins great PR hay out of its carbon straw. The company claims to be the global leader in getting rid of CO2. Like almost everything else in the carbon capture and sequestration space (CCS), the claims do not hold up to the slightest scrutiny,” Michael Barnard writes for CleanTechnica. “Its claim came to my attention recently [in 2019], after the numerous assessments of the CCS space I’ve published over the past year or so. I was wondering where the specific number came from. I dug around quickly and found this on its CCS page: With a working interest in approximately one-fifth of the world’s total carbon capture capacity, ExxonMobil is a leader in one of the most important next-generation low-greenhouse gas emissions technologies, capturing about 7 million tonnes per year of CO2. Since 1970, ExxonMobil has cumulatively captured more CO2 than any other company — accounting for more than 40 percent of cumulative CO2 captured. Let’s tear this apart and see if it holds up. First off, though, let’s look at 7 million tons per year of CO2. That sounds awesome, until you realize that the global problem is in the range of 3,200 billion excess tons of CO2 in the atmosphere… “There are a couple of interesting things here related to ExxonMobil’s claim. The first is that only 19 million tons of CO2 are being captured annually by the biggest CCS schemes in the world, so ExxonMobil is claiming 37% of that. Secondly, there are only 4 of 19 sites that aren’t actually enhanced oil recovery (EOR) sites… “That means that ExxonMobil pumps sufficient oil annually to create just under a billion tons of CO2 annually by itself. And it is actually sequestering about a thousandth of that amount of CO2 after you look at EOR… “The company excludes any reference to the scale of the problem that it specifically is creating. And it excludes any reference to the larger scale of the problem, of which it is a small part. And it doesn’t provide context for the CO2 scale compared to the scale of the emissions that it is responsible for. It claims value from taking CO2 out of the ground in one place and shoving it back underground in another place to get more oil. ExxonMobil’s CCS claims are PR nonsense, designed in multiple ways to confuse and dissemble, allowing it the social license to keep on pumping oil and causing global warming. Unsurprisingly.”