-The state of Washington adopted a new rule that requires in-state refiners to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Refiners have two options for achieving compliance in that time frame — scoring in the top 50th percentile in energy efficiency among similar-sized facilities or implementing projects that cut emissions by up to 10% of baseline-year emissions.
-American Electric Power (AEP) said it would likely be forced to shut down some of its largest plants if the Obama Administration proposes a 25% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, Bloomberg reports. AEP has reduced emissions by 21% since 2005 by replacing older coal-fired plants with natural gas-fired plants. The EPA is expected to roll out its new proposal on Monday.
-Lifting the U.S. ban on crude oil exports could add more than $1 billion in economic gains to nine different states by 2020, according to a new study. Texas alone could add up to 40,921 jobs and $5.21 billion to its economy in that time. North Dakota could add $4.81 billion in economic activity and 22,215 jobs. U.S. officials have in recent weeks given indications that a removal of the ban is under consideration, but the law is not likely to change this year.
-Alberta’s energy regulator on Thursday said oil sands production would nearly double to 4.1 million barrels per day by 2023. Via Reuters, most of the increase will come from in-situ projects, though mining operations will also expand. It was also reported that natural gas liquids production in Alberta increased by 6% last year.
-Cheniere Energy signed a 20-year agreement to sell LNG from its Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility to Spanish energy firm Iberdrola. Iberdrola agreed to buy 0.4 million tons per year of LNG when the first train at Corpus Christi Liquefaction begins operation. It will buy twice that amount once the second train begins operation. The deal is contingent upon Cheniere receiving federal approval for the project.
