|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Learn to Hunt Waterfowl
EPA’s Methane Challenge Partners Are Leading the Oil and Gas Industry in Efficiency and Emissions Reductions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published new data showing that in 2017 oil and gas companies that participated in EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program reduced methane emissions equivalent to nearly 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide – all through voluntary actions to reduce emissions from key sources across their operations.
“We greatly appreciate the actions these companies are taking to lead the way in improving efficiency, reducing methane emissions, and improving air quality,â€Â said Anne Idsal, EPA acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. “These companies are showing that pollution prevention and profitability can go hand-in-hand—because less methane in the air means more natural gas product in the pipeline to deliver to customers.â€
The Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program is a voluntary program launched in 2016 by the EPA in collaboration with oil and natural gas companies. It builds on the successes of the Natural Gas STAR program, through which partner companies have achieved cost-effective methane reductions for more than 20 years. The Methane Challenge Program provides partner companies a platform to make a company-wide commitment to cut methane emissions, track and report their actions, and be recognized by EPA for their achievements. More than 60 companies from all segments of the industry—production, gathering and boosting, transmission and storage, and distribution—are now program partners.
The extensive data provided by companies on their voluntary efforts provides important information to the public and serves as a guide for other companies looking to improve efficiencies and reduce emissions. Highlights from the reported data include the following:
- Partners’ 2017 methane reductions kept nearly $6 million worth of natural gas in the pipeline.
- Distribution segment companies reported replacement of more than 1,400 miles of cast iron pipelines and more than 2,000 miles of unprotected steel pipelines. These actions reduced methane emissions from old, leaky pipes by over 230,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
- Transmission segment companies reduced methane emissions from pipeline “blowdowns†during planned pipe replacement/maintenance activities by nearly 650,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
To learn more about our Methane Challenge Partners, their commitments and their achievements to date, see:Â https://www.epa.gov/natural-gas-star-program/methane-challenge-partners
More information the Natural Gas STAR and Methane Challenge Program and how to join can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/natural-gas-star-program.
Lilly General Counsel Among 2 Departing Senior Executives
Additionally, Christi Shaw, senior vice president and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, said she was will be leaving the company at the end of August.
Lilly shares dropped 4.6 percent in early trading, to $109.30 each.
The company said Patrik Jonsson, president and general manager of Lilly Japan, will succeed Shaw. It also said a search is underway for Harrington’s successor.
Harrington joined Lilly in 1991 after working as a litigator at Baker & Daniels in Indianapolis, the predecessor firm to Faegre Baker Daniels. He was promoted to his current position in 2012.
Harrington has been a leader at Lilly on diversity initiatives and is a champion for ensuring the legal field is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds, having served in leadership roles with the Civil Justice Reform Group and as a board member for the National Center for State Courts and the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity.
Indiana Lawyer honored Harrington as a Distinguished Barrister in 2017.
She returned to Lilly in April 2017 to lead the Bio-Medicines division.
“During Christi’s tenure, our Bio-Medicines division launched multiple new medicines globally, such as Olumiant and Emgality, and added key development projects to our early and late-phase portfolio,†Lilly CEO David Ricks said in written remarks. “I value the external perspective and passion for patients that Christi brought to the company.â€
Jonsson joined Lilly in 1990 as a sales representative in Sweden and has held marketing leadership positions for the company throughout Europe. He has been in his current position since 2014.
“Patrik is a patient-focused, inclusive leader who has a long track record of delivering results in numerous markets around the world,†Ricks said. “With a portfolio of newly launched medicines and a robust pipeline in both immunology and pain, he is the right person to lead our Bio-Medicines business.â€
Gov. Holcomb Proposes Nearly $300 Million To Pay Down Debt
Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement regarding the 2019 fiscal year close out report outlined today by Indiana Auditor Tera Klutz, CPA:
“Indiana’s economy is on a roll, and our reserves are healthy because of robust revenue growth. It is of paramount importance that Indiana continue sound fiscal management to further fortify our strong fiscal position.
Therefore, I am recommending we use nearly $300 million of reserves to pay for several one-time capital projects and to finish the free-flow of U.S. Hwy. 31. We have an opportunity to reduce our ongoing costs by paying cash rather than borrowing for several projects approved by the Indiana General Assembly in this year’s legislative session. Paying for capital projects now maintains Indiana’s low debt burden, avoids lease obligations over the next 25 years and leads to taxpayer savings of more than $100 million.
Earlier this week, I discussed these recommendations with House Speaker Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem Bray, including my desire that the state maintain fiscally responsible reserves of nearly $2 billion or 12.2 percent of expenditures after putting aside money for the following capital projects:
- $50 million for the swine barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
- $73 million for the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital
- $60 million for the Ball State University STEM and Health Professions facilities
- $30 million for the Ivy Tech Columbus main building replacement
In 2018, I made the commitment to improve access and safety on U.S. Hwy. 31 from Indianapolis to South Bend by eliminating all traffic signals and rail crossings. Our fiscal position allows us to provide approximately $78 million so the Indiana Department of Transportation can complete this transformational project.
I asked the legislative leaders to strongly consider my proposal when the Indiana General Assembly returns in January 2020. We will work over the next six months to demonstrate how the ongoing savings can be best used for tackling our priorities in the next budget, such as providing meaningful increases in teacher compensation so Indiana is competitive with neighboring Midwestern states.
I am grateful to state agency leaders and employees, legislative leadership and Auditor Klutz who all help maintain our position as the fiscal envy of the nation.â€
“LEFT JAB AND RIGHT JAB†JULY 12, 2019
“LEFT JAB AND RIGHT JABâ€
“Right Jab And Left Jab†was created because we have two commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE†or “Readers Forum†columns concerning National or International issues.
Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan’s comments are mostly about issues of national interest.  The majority of our “IS IT TRUE†columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give Mr. Biden and Mr. Reagan exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and RIGHT JAB† column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB†AND “RIGHT JABâ€Â several times a week.  Oh, “Left Jab†is a liberal view and the “Right Jab is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments of the two gentlemen is free to do so.
FOOTNOTE: Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.
AG Curtis Hill wins civil case to recover funds misappropriated by Lawrenceburg official
Attorney General Curtis Hill this week won a civil case against Ohio Casualty Insurance Company to recover $224,690 misappropriated by former Lawrenceburg Clerk-Treasurer Theresa L. Bruening.
In 2017, the Office of the Attorney General filed a civil complaint against Bruening and Ohio Casualty, the provider of two crime insurance policies to the City of Lawrenceburg in Dearborn County. Bruening had pleaded guilty in federal court for wire fraud relating to unauthorized payroll checks, excess payroll contributions and duplicative payroll payments issued to herself. The State Board of Accounts charged Bruening with misappropriating public funds.
In the civil case, Ohio Casualty claimed that its policies did not cover Bruening’s actions. Further, it claimed that even if its policies were applicable, too much time had elapsed since the misappropriation for it to be held liable. Dearborn Superior Court did not agree with Ohio Casualty and found the policies at issue to cover Bruening’s actions and entered judgment in favor of the state.
“We must always hold accountable those who illegally siphon money for themselves from the public treasury,†Attorney General Hill said. “Our office will continue seeking to recoup taxpayer dollars when public funds have been misappropriated.â€
ADOPT A PET
Mara is a female Beagle who’s approximately 4 years old. She was found running a busy street as a stray & never reclaimed. Mara is heartworm-positive but VHS will treat those at no additional cost to her adopters. Just look at that head tilt! Mara’s adoption fee is $110 and includes her spay, microchip, heartworm treatment, and shots. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!