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Newly Released NASA Study Looks to Identify Methane Emissions in Four Corners Region in “Brief Snapshot”

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) today voiced its concern over a newly released study performed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where scientists evaluated the Four Corners region after earlier satellite imagery identified a “methane hotspot” providing both limited and lopsided data.

The study, a skewed “snapshot”, focused specifically on the border between Colorado and New Mexico in the San Juan Basin, and only looked at sites where energy is produced, transported, stored and converted, without evaluating other sources of methane emitters. It also lacked valuable, balanced data during another contentious year for energy development due to low oil and natural gas prices and expanding regulations.

“Like many concerned citizens, we are glad that both the scientific and academic community are looking into sources of methane,” said Andrew Browning, chief operating officer at CEA. “However, we want them to understand the implications of releasing one-sided data that could be to the detriment of families, households, and local businesses in small towns of the New Mexico and Colorado Four Corners area. These communities are already suffering the negative impacts of onerous regulations on the oil and gas industry — a key driver of the economy — and studies like this drive policy and regulations that affect energy development.”

In addition to the stringent air quality standards, developed and upheld by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), emissions and particle pollution within the Four Corners region remain the lowest in the country, according to the American Lung Association’s 2016 State of the Air report, despite NASA’s elusion to inordinate amounts of methane emissions. Durango didn’t even register for the list and Farmington ranked number one in the “Top 25 Cleanest U.S. Cities for Year-Round Particle Pollution,” with San Juan County listed as one of the “Top Cleanest Counties” in the country.

“Even with low levels of emissions, infrastructure updates and a track record of sustainable development since the 1940s, Farmington is suffering the loss of much-needed gross receipt tax revenue that represents 64 percent of what is collected by the local government,” Browning said.

And just recently, the school system underwent a $4 million dollar budget loss and San Juan County lost more than 9,000 jobs, roughly 17 percent of its workforce. With school budget cuts, fewer jobs and less money to put back into the community, San Juan County and especially the city of Farmington are experiencing losses in population and businesses alike.

Audra Winters, President/CEO of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce and a member of CEA’s Northwest New Mexico Advisory Group, also stated that “while it sounds ominous, the people of the Four Corners area and those who would seek to do business here should understand that our air quality is among the cleanest in the country, and that NASA itself released a study in March showing that methane emissions from oil and gas production doesn’t even register on a global scale.”

CEA supports NASA’s attempt to address public concern and increase awareness over environmental impacts, especially air quality, to the region. However, the data must be balanced and comprehensive, as it is clear the livelihoods of these communities are at stake.

It Helps to Realize the Value of the Energy Mix

Andrew Browning discussed the importance of Colorado’s energy production and the CEA Know the Value campaign in the Pueblo Chieftain.

There is a lot that goes into making the kind of first-class beer Colorado is globally renowned for. The most common ingredients include, in no particular order, malt extract, hops, yeast, water, sometimes even rice. And always energy. It’s true. Energy makes the heat that roasts the barley, the electricity that bottles the bottling equipment and the oil and gas that fuel delivery trucks. Various other must-haves — refrigeration, lightning, packaging equipment and compressed air, for instance — all require energy production. A good amount, too.

Read more – Pueblo Chieftain

Energy Alliance Moves to Counter Ferocious Opposition to Gas Pipelines

SNL Financial interviewed CEA’s David Holt on the importance of the recently launched Pipelines for America campaign.

“A lot of these groups that are saying ‘keep it in the ground,’ they don’t have a plan,” Consumer Energy Alliance President David Holt said in an Aug. 11 interview. “‘Keep it in the ground’ is not a plan.”

By blocking gas-transportation infrastructure, Holt said, environmental groups and other infrastructure opponents will end up driving energy prices up and hurting reliability.

Read more – SNL Financial

Pipelines for America Campaign Launches to Educate Consumers About Energy Infrastructure

The Bristol Herald Courier covered the launch of the Pipelines for America campaign.  The Courier quoted both Brydon Ross and CEA Board Chairman Brett Vassey.

“America’s much-needed pipeline development goes hand-in-hand with energy production in contributing to our nation’s economic success, particularly in the U.S. Southeast,” said Brydon Ross, the director of CEA’s Southeast Chapter, in the statement. “Given our critical energy infrastructure needs and concern about the small but vocal minority who back the ‘Keep It in The Ground’ movement that threaten our region’s energy future, CEA is launching this new effort to educate southeastern consumers about the urgent need for pipelines that exist.”

Read more – Bristol Herald Courier

Group Seeks to Link Pipelines With Lower Consumer Costs

David Holt was interviewed for about how consumers are impacted by pipeline development after the recent launch of Pipelines for America by E&E News.

A national advocacy group’s new campaign looks to promote pipeline construction as a pocketbook issue for families and businesses, in hopes of countering what it called the environmental movement’s success in blocking energy infrastructure around the country.

Read more – E&E News

Gibbs and Renacci Talk Energy at Forum

Two steel construction workers welding metal

CEA Midwest recently hosted the Ohio Energy and Manufacturing Forum.  The event provided a unique opportunity for federal, state and local officials to discuss current energy issues and the importance of responsible energy development in the context of jobs, the economy and U.S. competitiveness.

Congressmen Bob Gibbs and Jim Renacci were on friendly turf talking about the need for regulatory and tax reform at the Consumer Energy Alliance Midwest forum Tuesday in Canton.

Read more – The Daily Record

CEA Launches Pipelines for America Public Education Campaign

Penn Energy quoted CEA board member Jennifer Diggins and John Eichberger about the importance of educating the public about the roll of pipelines and the recently launched Pipelines for America campaign.

Jennifer Diggins, CEA’s immediate past chairwoman and Nucor Corp’s public affairs director, said, “Energy is a critical ingredient that powers every American industry—everything from agriculture and automotive to chemicals and steel. As the largest steel producer in the US, we’re pleased that CEA is taking this important step to educate consumers on the important role energy plays in our everyday lives and the pillars that support lower energy costs and job and economic growth.”

Read more – Penn Energy

CEA Launches Campaign to Support Pipeline Construction

Stack of pipelines

CEA Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Mike Butler discussion of the Pipelines for America campaign was covered by the Observer-Reporter.

Consumer Energy Alliance, a national consumer advocacy organization that represents consumers, manufacturers, agriculture, energy, renewables and other industries, launched a push for pipelines in the Keystone State and elsewhere in the United States. The 400,000-member organization launched a campaign this week called “Pipelines for America,” which aims to educate consumers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region about the increasing importance of U.S. energy infrastructure and how more is needed to safeguard the environment and keep energy costs low.

Read more – Observer-Reporter

Campaign Advocates for Increased Pipeline Infrastructure

Brydon Ross was interviewed by WCMU on the importance of pipelines and CEA’s Pipelines for America campaign.

A consumer advocate group has launched a nationwide campaign advocating for increased pipeline infrastructure. The Consumer Energy Alliance started what it calls Pipelines for America. It’s a campaign centered around educating the public about the importance of energy infrastructure.

Read more – WCMU Public Radio News

Advocacy Group Launches National Campaign on Energy Infrastructure

Morning Consult covered the recent launch of Pipelines for America, the Consumer Energy Alliance campaign to increase awareness about the importance of pipelines for the delivery of affordable, reliable energy and economic growth.

The Consumer Energy Alliance on Thursday launched a national campaign focusing on the benefits of pipeline development, highlighting stable energy prices and environmental protection. The campaign comes as the group raises concerns that the U.S. does not have enough pipelines and transmission lines to transport energy to where it’s needed. As a part of today’s launch, CEA debuted a website and said it would roll out consumer education via advertisements, events and grassroots activities. The group said it will begin engaging Americans in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest.

Read more – Morning Consult

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