In the States
AK –Governor Sean Parnell is considering state ownership of a natural gas liquefaction (LNG) plant, according to Gene Therriault, deputy director of the Alaska Energy Authority. The plant, which would transport gas from the State’s North Slope to Fairbanks, would process natural gas from several oil companies and then sell it to buyers. Natural gas is favored among local and state leaders as it has the potential to offset heating and electricity costs produced by high oil prices. According to Therriault, an “open access” or state-owned LNG plant would serve the needs of Alaskans, as many in the interior of the State are expect to use the plant’s natural gas and propane. Therriault: Parnell considering state ownership of natural gas plant on North Slope – The Fairbanks Daily News – Miner
CA – At a meeting of thousands of green-building entrepreneurs, Governor Jerry Brown urged attendees to advocate for more action on climate change. The Governor reminded his audience that California recently began the nation’s first large-scale cap-and-trade system to limit greenhouse gases. Last week, the cap-and-trade program, which puts a price on carbon dioxide emissions, conducted an auction of greenhouse gas pollution credits. The money generated from the State’s first auction will go to energy efficiency projects, though some have argued that funds should be also be given to the residential and business customers of the major California utilities. "California can only go so far," Governor Brown said, "So it's up to you to galvanize all the other states, and the United States, to get with it." Jerry Brown: Act now on climate change – The San Francisco Chronicle and California’s first carbon-credit auction raises $290 million – The Los Angeles Times
MI – Governor Rick Snyder recently released an energy and environmental policy blueprint, which calls for an increase in the production of natural gas and for the protection of the State’s natural resources. According to the Governor, the State is hoping to tap into its rich gas supplies through the use of fracking, or the process by which the flow of oil and gas is improved by creating rock fissures and fractures through the pumping of pressurized water, sand, and chemicals down well bores. Governor Snyder, however, also stated Michigan will partner with the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan on a two-year study to examine the best practices used in fracking and the technique’s effect on the environment, economy, and job creation. The Governor’s plan additionally calls for improvements to pipeline and transmission grid infrastructure. "We've been doing fracking for over a decade with some of the toughest regulations in the country and it's worked well," the Governor said, "Fracking is something that is very serious, and it needs to be done the right way." Snyder wants more gas drilling – The Detroit News
National News
Congressman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will continue to chair the Energy and Commerce committee during the 113th Congress. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) was recently named vice chair of the full committee while Rep. Terry Lee, a Republican from Nebraska, will chair the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee. Republican Representative Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, whose district contains a vast supply of natural gas, will chair the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which plays a significant role in energy and regulatory issues. Lawmaker from natural-gas district snags House Energy subcommittee gavel – The Hill
The United State Senate this week approved an amendment that would remove a provision in the defense authorization bill prohibiting the military from utilizing alternative fuels if their costs exceeded those of traditional fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The amendment, which was sponsored by Democratic Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, received support from eleven Republican Senator from states such as Iowa and the Dakotas while two Democrats from coal-producing states, Senators Jim Manchin of West Virginia and Jim Webb of Virginia, voted against the amendment. Senate gives green light to Pentagon green energy – Bloomberg
The leadership of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) Strategic Policy Initiative, which includes former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi and former Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, are urging the creation of an interagency council for energy policy in a preliminary report. The BPC, which was founded by four former Senate Majority leaders, actively promotes bipartisanship. The group’s final report, which will be published in January of next year, will outline recommendations and strategies for energy policy coordination and implementation. The report calls for the President to set policy though the council, with the Energy Department Secretary serving as the main point of contact. According to the report, energy policy is uncoordinated and currently made at 20 federal agencies. Ex-senators propose interagency council for energy policy – The Hill