-Federal pipeline regulators proposed a record-breaking amount of civil penalties against operators in 2013, Bloomberg reported today. Civil penalties proposed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) totaled $9.78 million last year, including $2.66 million against Exxon Mobil in the wake of its Pegasus pipeline rupture near Mayflower, Ark. Bloomberg notes PHMSA last year doubled its maximum civil penalty amounts for federal violations.
-A House subcommittee today passed a bill that would speed up permits for LNG exports to U.S. allies. Via The Hill, Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), who proposed the bill in light of tensions between Russia and the Ukraine, said not passing it would be like “hanging up on a 911 call.” It remains to be seen whether “emergency” calls from European LNG consumers will be placed on hold due to high call volume from Asian buyers.
-Meanwhile, Senate Energy Committee Chairwoman Mary Landrieu (D-La.) on Tuesday reaffirmed her support of keeping the Jones Act in place. A Reuters report on Landrieu’s statements noted that Louisiana ranks first among all 50 states in maritime jobs and that maritime PACs are among the senator’s biggest campaign contributors. Refining groups are lobbying for elimination of the decades-old law, which mandates use of U.S.-flagged and manufactured vessels for transportation of goods between domestic ports.
-KBR announced Stuart Bradie would become its new president and CEO June 2. Bradie currently serves as group managing director for WorleyParsons’ operations and delivery unit. KBR in December announced the retirement of President and CEO Bill Utt.
