T+62: Why AGW Mandates Are Not Benign -- January 7, 2019

Link here. The reason "mandates" are not just "symbols." It's going to be even worse in California.

The Massachusetts attorney general wants the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to delve deeper into whether a small Tennessee Gas Pipeline expansion is needed and how it would impact the state's ability to meet its greenhouse gas emissions goals.

The filing is another sign states are flexing their muscles in the natural gas permitting process in New England, where a sometimes constrained pipeline system coincides with a challenging regulatory climate for projects.

In pressing FERC to examine the need, Healey noted that less than two-thirds of the proposed capacity is subscribed through precedent agreements, primarily with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

She asked FERC to consider improvements already under consideration by Columbia. Healey also waded into the debate over how far FERC should go in considering GHG emissions.

The projects' cumulative GHG impacts should be evaluated to ensure they do not impair the state's ability to meet its emissions mandates under Massachusetts law calling for a 25% reduction from 1990 levels by 2020 and an 80% drop by 2050, the AG said. FERC must fully assess methane emissions from wellhead to burner tip, the AG added, including assessing potential for leaks and blowdowns.

Healey also pressed FERC to ensure its approval is conditioned on full compliance with the state's wetlands and endangered species regulations.

And she urged FERC to address the potential for inappropriate segmentation of its environmental review from other nearby gas projects.

And, I assume, she will ask FERC if they've taken into account the effect an underground pipeline will have on gophers, migratory ducks, sage grouse, and piping clovers.