Tag: Natural Gas

Enough so, that the Governor has signed an "emergency order" that lifts certain restrictions on propane delivery and transportation of propane only.  Cold winter and reliance on a single pipeline from out of state has put Upper Peninsula residents at risk, and the solution will be 'emergency measures.'

As usual:

"Gov. Rick Snyder today issued Executive Order 2013-11, declaring a State of Energy Emergency in Michigan due to temporary shortages of propane in areas of the Upper Peninsula.

"Michiganders and those visiting the Upper Peninsula who rely on propane for heat and other uses are in our thoughts," said Snyder. "This executive order will help make sure that there is enough supply in the coming days and weeks until problems are resolved."

I have been adding to this all week, and have tried to make it as concise as possible, but as more information became available, editing was required.  Let me know if any clarification is needed.

I wrote at the beginning of the month about the coal fired plant in Marquette being threatened by a new and extremely aggressive set of EPA  rules.  The shutdown of that plant of course would leave in question the future of paper mills, and the electrical needs of yoopers.  At least the future of the cost being at all affordable.  The jobs that would be lost as higher costs come to bear also joined by a literal health care crisis as fewer would be insured, and less money in the pockets of those Michiganders would encourage poorer health choices.

Health, of course is the victim of the 'boogeyman' coal fired power industry.  You've seen the ubiquitous American Lung Association "coughing baby" ads supporting the Obama EPA's push to shut down the coal industry, right?  What might surprise you is that those ads are funded in part by Chesapeake Energy, the country's second-largest natural gas producer.

Coming amidst an impending decision by the EPA on the Utility MACT (maximum achievable control technology)  rule that is expected to lead to job loses, plant shutdowns, and rolling blackouts across the country, this strange partnership raises a question.  What does Chesapeake stand to gain, by pouring money into a seemingly disparate organization with extremely different objectives and priorities? Politico writes:

The ads come as the coal industry is at war with the Obama administration over new rules to curb pollution from coal-fired power plants. The EPA is expected to issue new rules on Friday to curb air toxics from power plants, which are estimated to cost industry about $10.9 billion each year.

Stricter rules for power plants are expected to offer a competitive advantage to the cleaner-burning natural gas industry.

Lisa P. Jackson, "No proven cases."