The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has strenuously resisted considering environmental externalities (think pollution and climate change) when they consider the necessity and convenience of new pipelines. On a couple of occasions, the DC Court of Appeals has insisted that they consider externalities, but they have always interpreted the court’s requirements in the narrowest possible… More FERC v DC Appeals Court
The EPA has issued a rule that narrows the scope of reviews allowed to states when considering whether to grant pipeline permits. States are now limited to water quality issues only – not climate change or any other issues, and must complete their reviews within one year. You can read more about this rule change… More States Lose Veto Rights on Pipelines
In a letter directed to banks that have not pledged to refuse to fund any new oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Gwich’in Steering Committee called on these financial institutions to join those that already have. This letter was directed to Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Truist Bank, PNC Bank,… More SOIL opposes drilling in ANWR
The battle to stop expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline comes down to our efforts here in Illinois. Save Our Illinois Land, the first intervenor in the case, continues the legal battle to stop the doubling of the capacity of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The The Natural Resources Defense Council has blogged about our efforts… More #StillNoDAPL – Fighting Expansion in Illinois
A Federal Appeals Court has decided in favor of the Standing Rock Sioux’s request to strike down federal permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline. Nearly three years after crude oil started to flow, a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full environmental review. The judge found that found… More Judge Rules DAPL EIS Inadequate
The Michigan State Department of Great Lakes, Environment and Energy has asked Enbridge to rewrite its permit application to rebuild an oil and gas pipeline underneath the Straits of Mackinac and include alternative options. The State made clear that it was going to apply environmental standards in evaluating the permit; that the agency intends to… More Line 5 Tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac
A District Court judge in Montana refused to narrow his April ruling that effectively nullified all water crossing permits (referred to as Nationwide Permit 12) for pipelines. This ruling doesn’t directly block construction but prohibits dredging work until further environmental reviews are completed. This ruling represents a welcome, although tenuous, victory.Yet we know that construction… More Keystone XL Decision nullifies water-crossing permit
The Minnesota Department of Commerce, environmental groups and indigenous tribes continue to dispute the decision to proceed with the Line 3 ‘replacement’ pipeline. In 2018 the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved this project, which, rather than replacing, actually reroutes a large segment of the pipeline. On May 15, 2020 the MN Department of Commerce again… More Line 3 Resistance Continues in Minnesota
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa sued Enbridge Energy in July 2019, because easements allowing Enbridge to operate the pipeline have expired. As a result, Enbridge is planning to remove the pipeline from the Bad River reservation and reroute it, constructing 41 miles of new pipeline. Enbridge has asked the Wisconsin Public Service… More MORE on Line 5 – Eminent Domain for Private Gain in northern Wisconsin
by Paul Berland Hello once again fellow Illinois dwellers! If you remember about two years ago (9/17/2018), I wrote a blog here of my reflections of the future that I had while sitting in Festival Park in Elgin here for little children in the face of the oil and gas industry’s continued reckless pursuit in… More The Big Picture Part 2