The US Department of Energy plans to move carefully as it considers applications to export LNG to countries that do not have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the US, Christopher A. Smith, deputy assistant US energy secretary for oil and gas in DOE’s fossil energy office, said at a meeting of state utility regulators.

US Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alas.) announced a set of policy proposals that she said is designed to begin a national dialogue about energy.

A 12-year partnership between the US Department of Energy and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners is dispelling exaggerated preconceptions about LNG hazards as it identifies possible real problems state policymakers should address.

US Sec. of Energy Steven Chu said he will not serve a second term, but added that he will stay at least until the end of February and possibly longer to help his successor’s transition.

The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed 2013 biofuels quotas representing a more than 1.35 billion gal increase from what it mandated for 2012. Officials from two leading petroleum trade associations immediately called the 16.55 billion gal total representing 9.63% of total projected US motor fuel production unrealistic and unreasonable.

Seven other US Senate Democrats joined Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ) in expressing concern over Atlantic offshore seismic tests planned as part of the Obama administration’s 2012-17 Outer Continental Shelf management program.

The US Bureau of Land Management is beginning a new environmental analysis for the Roan Plateau planning area in northwestern Colorado.

Charles McConnell, who has led the US Department of Energy’s fossil fuels operations for the past year, announced he will resign effective Feb. 1. The US Senate confirmed his appointment as assistant secretary for fossil energy on Apr. 5, 2012.

A Dec. 11, 2012, natural gas pipeline explosion in Sissonville, W.Va., shows that work still needs to be done to inspect older lines, install automatic or remotely operated shutoff valves, and improve control room personnel’s responses, federal regulators told a US Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee field hearing in Charleston.

The American Petroleum Institute is considering taking its legal challenge of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s introduction of gasoline with a 15% ethanol blend into the marketplace to the US Supreme Court, an API official said.

The US Coast Guard has yet to determine how much crude oil was spilled into the lower Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Miss., when two tank barges hit a railroad bridge on Jan. 27, USCG said.