9-23-13 Alaska Frack Regulations Hearing Today

In coming days, we'll have more for our readers on last week's significant, 9th Annual Alaska Oil and Gas Congress, Co Chaired by North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower (NGP Photo). Ziff Energy's founder, Paul Ziff (NGP Photo), was also a participant in the Congress and his firm's latest North American gas demand study is noted below. -dh

CALGARY, ALBERTA – September 23, 2013 – Ziff Energy, a Division of Solomon Associates, today announced the release of its Growth of North American Natural Gas Demand to 2020. The report provides a brief overview of each gas demand sector (electrical generation, industrial, residential, commercial, and pipeline fuel) and its growth for six U.S. regions and Canada. Canada showed very strong growth, as did the Southwest region of the U.S. The Interior West of the U.S. experienced moderate growth, while the Midwest and Northeast showed minor growth. The Southeast and Pacific Coast were flat.

The Hill: Emissions regulations are central battle in Obama climate agenda

By Julian Hattem and Ben Goad.
If the Obama administration's proposed limits on greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants become law, they would represent the first major victory for the president on his second-term climate plan. But opponents are not ready to roll over.

Today, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will hear testimony on proposed fracking regulations. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. at 333 West 7th Avenue, in Anchorage.

The Commission proposes changes to Title 20, Chapter 25 of the Alaska Administrative Code, with regard to hydraulic fracturing. It proposes to amend 20 AAC 25.990, adding a new section, 20 AAC 25.283, that defines hydraulic fracturing, requires notice to nearby owners and operators prior to commencement of hydraulic fracturing, requires water sampling and analysis, requires disclosure of hydraulic fracturing fluids, increases wellbore integrity and assures containment of hydraulic fracturing fluids.

The Commission will consider requirements that include :

1. notification of landowners, surface owners, and operators within one-half mile of the wellbore trajectory;

2. pre and post hydraulic fracturing water well water sampling and analysis;

3. disclosure ofthe chemical makeup of hydraulic fracturing fluids;

4. wellbore integrity;

5. containment of hydraulic fracturing fluids; and

6. casing and cementing.

Wes Keller, Alaska House of Representatives, Photo by Dave Harbour, Federal Overreach Chaired by Representative Wes Keller (NGP Photo) and moderated by Senator John Coghill (NGP Photo), the Legislature's recent "Federal Overreach Summit" proclaims itself to have been a success.

John Coghill, Alaska State Senate, Majority Leader, Federal Overreach, Photo by Dave Harbour Read the newsletter here and make note of upcoming meetings and federal government comment periods.