EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 8/20/26

PIPELINE NEWS

• E&E News: Court allows Sable Offshore to keep carrying oil

• CBC: Keystone XL: What Trump’s focus on an oil pipeline says about Canada-U.S. trade

• Financial Times: Donald Trump proposed reviving the Keystone XL pipeline. Does Canada still want it?

• Bloomberg: South Bow Shares Rally After Trump Talks Keystone XL Revival

• CBC: Key dates in Keystone XL pipeline as Trump claims contentious project being revived

• The Center Square: Bad River Band, others to argue against Line 5 reroute permit

• BBC: Zoo boss calls pipeline plan on site ‘unacceptable’

• Pipeline & Gas Journal: API strengthens pipeline integrity management standard

• WDVM: SUV crashes into gas pipeline on Ox Road in Fairfax County; nearby school, shopping center evacuated

WASHINGTON UPDATES

• Heatmap: 75% of Americans Now Oppose Local Data Center Development

• South Dakota Searchlight: Thune calls energy development permitting reform a rare opportunity for bipartisan action

• E&E News: A Supreme Court case may be slowing Trump’s next climate rollback

• Vox: How the Supreme Court could use Trump’s ballroom to gut environmental law

STATE UPDATES

• KRQE: New Mexico Environment Department proposing rule aimed at finding large methane leaks

EXTRACTION

• New Scientist: World may warm by 25 per cent more than current projections suggest

• Heated: We need to press Big Tech on their AI partnerships with Big Oil

• Reuters: About half of Venezuela oil output now goes to US, Under Secretary Haustveit says

• Bloomberg: Data center gas plants to boost US power emissions by 20 percent

• Minichart: Sunshine Oilsands Regulatory Appeal Denied by Alberta Energy Regulator; Company to Challenge in Court and Seek Stay

OPINION

• The Iowa Standard: Republicans should never be afraid to stand for private property rights

• Toronto Sun: Resurrecting Keystone XL pipeline would be win for Canada

• Los Angeles Times: Politicians defy the people when they take away protections from public lands
  

PIPELINE NEWS

E&E News: Court allows Sable Offshore to keep carrying oil
Niina H. Farah, 8/19/26

“A federal judge in California is allowing oil to keep flowing through Sable Offshore’s contentious onshore pipeline, dealing a blow to California regulators and environmental groups who have sought to reverse the Trump administration’s resurrection of the conduit,” E&E News reports. “...Under the new terms, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a federal agency part of the Department of Transportation, will take over management of the consent decree from California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). The order effectively ends the state agency’s veto power over the operation of the pipeline. “In the view of this Court, though the solution that a federal agency functionally enforces standards set by a state legislature is unusual, it is necessary tailoring to consider both major public interest factors here—protecting energy security and the ecology of California’s coast—while honoring the original expectations of the parties about what substantive rules would apply to the owner of the pipeline,” Wilson wrote in his ruling.”

CBC: Keystone XL: What Trump’s focus on an oil pipeline says about Canada-U.S. trade
Jeff Lagerquist, 8/19/26

“U.S. President Donald Trump says a Canada-U.S. oil pipeline project cancelled by two of his predecessors “may be awoken from the grave” under a new bilateral trade agreement between the neighbouring nations,” the CBC reports. “But a former executive involved with Keystone XL and other industry experts suggest the remark may have more to do with politics than petroleum… “The fact that Trump has signalled that is something that he sees in the deal, I think is helpful to Carney [and] the trade-offs he’s going to have to make over the next 72 hours,” Dennis McConaghy, former executive vice-president of corporate development at TransCanada Corporation, now called TC Energy, told CBC… “Will it be done by the end of his term? Because we potentially have Democrats ... in the offing, which is going to make this extremely difficult,” Carlo Dade, director of international policy at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, told CBC… “Even if Trump says, ‘Oh, Keystone XL is back on track,’ who is going to want to invest when we know in 2028, the next president can be a Democrat?”, Valérie Beaudoin, a member of the federal government’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations, told CBC… “[It] would be completely out of the blue, and make little immediate sense, to literally reanimate KXL given the work done on the other projects thus far. [It’s] also a much different market from when KXL was initially proposed,” Commodity Context founder Rory Johnston told CBC.”

Financial Times: Donald Trump proposed reviving the Keystone XL pipeline. Does Canada still want it?
Ilya Gridneff, Myles McCormick, Jamie Smyth, 8/19/26

“Donald Trump has triggered excitement in Canada’s oil heartlands over the country’s potential to become an energy superpower by floating the revival of the ill-fated Keystone XL pipeline,” the Financial Times reports. “...But it comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to break Canada’s dependence on the US after Trump launched devastating tariffs on vital sectors such as cars, steel and lumber. In May Ottawa and Alberta signed an agreement to develop a new pipeline to the west coast to send 1mn oil barrels per day to Asian markets… “Alberta wants to build new pipelines west, east, north and south, and we are always in discussions with industry to support these opportunities,” Alberta’s premier Danielle Smith told FT. Analysts and investors told FT a Keystone revival had the potential to benefit the US and Canada, tying the two North American economies closer together at a time of global upheaval… “But building two new pipelines would require expanding Canada’s oil sands patch, which will require huge investment in the range of $100bn, analysts told FT. Eric Nuttall, a partner at Toronto-based Ninepoint Partners, told FT: “We have the resource depth to allow, but investors continue to want some return of capital which reduces growth capex…Alberta needs to incentivise this to persuade investors, the owners of the businesses, to allow it.”

Bloomberg: South Bow Shares Rally After Trump Talks Keystone XL Revival
Robert Tuttle, 8/19/26

“South Bow Corp. shares rose the most in more than a month after US President Donald Trump suggested the controversial cross-border Keystone XL pipeline project, a version of which the company has proposed, would be revived,” Bloomberg reports. “...South Bow’s shares on Wednesday gained as much as 3.15%, the most since July 7. The share price was trading in the morning above C$53 ($38) in Toronto. Trading volume rose to almost five times the 20-day average for this time of day. Shares of other Canadian pipeline companies including Enbridge Inc., TC Energy Corp. and Pembina Pipeline Corp. were down on Wednesday… “South Bow and Bridger’s proposed new line, which would be smaller than the original Keystone XL project, would carry Canadian crude from Alberta to Wyoming. Trump signed a presidential permit in April authorizing the Bridger portion of the project. South Bow said in their second quarter earnings call recently that a final investment decision is expected next year.”

CBC: Key dates in Keystone XL pipeline as Trump claims contentious project being revived
Jillian Kestler-D’Amours, 8/19/26

“U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a contentious oil pipeline project is being revived as Canada and the United States continue negotiations aimed at staving off a new batch of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods,” the CBC reports. “...Canada has not commented publicly on Trump’s claim that the project is being revived as part of ongoing trade talks… “South Bow, the Canadian company behind Keystone XL, is partnering with U.S. company Bridger Pipeline on the proposed project… “Jan. 20, 2021: Biden signs an executive order on his first day in office revoking the 2019 permit Trump issued for Keystone XL, which he says is not in the U.S. national interest… “July 2021: TC Energy announces plans to file a claim under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to recoup $15 billion US in damages it says were caused by the cancellation of the project. The company argues Washington breached its obligations under CUSMA’s predecessor, NAFTA… “July 2024: The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, an international tribunal, throws out TC Energy’s claim for $15 billion US in damages against the U.S. government, citing a jurisdictional issue… “October 2025: Prime Minister Mark Carney tells Trump during a meeting at the White House that there’s renewed national interest from Canada in the Keystone XL pipeline, a source with knowledge of the discussions tells CBC… “Aug. 18, 2026: Trump says the Keystone XL project “may be awoken from the grave!” as he agrees to postpone new 50 per cent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods by three days. In his own statement about the postponed U.S. tariffs, Carney does not mention Keystone XL.”

The Center Square: Bad River Band, others to argue against Line 5 reroute permit
Jon Styf, 8/29/26

“Attorneys for the Bad River Band and environmental groups will give oral arguments Thursday morning challenging permits for Enbridge’s 41-mile reroute of Line 5 in northern Wisconsin,” The Center Square reports. “The hearing is part of the groups’ continued challenge of the projects. They are also separately challenging permits for the project from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The groups continue to argue that the reroute is not environmentally sound and could permanently damage wetlands and resources in the region. The groups are pointed to a spill of more than 1,600 gallons of drilling fluid in wetlands in Iron County during construction of the reroute, which began in February after a judge approved the initial permits… “The new pipeline will surround the Band’s reservation on three sides, causing significant long-term harm to Tribal waterways, violating the Band’s water quality standards, and limiting tribal members’ ability to exercise their treaty rights,” the groups said.”

BBC: Zoo boss calls pipeline plan on site ‘unacceptable’
Georgie DockerandMairead Smyth, 8/19/26

“Chester Zoo’s chief executive has said plans to build an underground pipeline that will cut through wildlife and habitats on the site are “unacceptable”, the BBC reports. “...Zoo boss James Christon told the BBC conservation efforts were under threat from the Peak Cluster Project - a plan for a pipeline through the North West to transport carbon emissions to the coastline. He told BBC the current route “would rip through our fields and jeopardise environmentally sensitive habitats” - including “irreplaceable wetland habitats that support wildlife and store carbon”... “Christon told the BBC Chester Zoo bosses first wrote to Peak Cluster in March voicing their concerns about the route and met with project bosses in May to ask them to relook at the proposal. Since then, Christon claims he has had no contact with Peak Cluster, leading him to believe there will be no changes made to the proposed route… “We’re calling on Peak Cluster to come to the table and engage with us, with our neighbours on the Wirral, and with others working to protect wildlife across the region.”

Pipeline & Gas Journal: API strengthens pipeline integrity management standard
8/19/26

“The American Petroleum Institute (API) has published the second edition of API Recommended Practice 1176 (API RP 1176), Assessment and Management of Cracking in Pipelines,” Pipeline & Gas Journal reports. “...The recommended practice equips operators to better characterize cracks, integrate inspection and operating data, prioritize repairs, and establish reassessment schedules. This helps operators focus resources on the conditions that pose the greatest risk to pipeline integrity… “Key updates include: Enhanced crack classification guidance to help operators distinguish crack-like features as either likely active cracks or stable anomalies; More detailed coverage of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) causes and conditions, and circumferential crack threat management; Expanded use of risk-informed decision making based on crack growth assessment and remaining life calculations to support prioritization of inspections, repairs and reassessment schedules; Improved integration of multiple data sources, including in-line inspection data, hydrotest results, operating history, coating condition, cathodic protection data and findings from metallurgical studies; Expanded discussion of modern in-line inspection and nondestructive examination technologies and their capabilities for crack detection and condition assessment Improved guidance on preventive and mitigative measures, including operational pressure management, pressure cycling reduction, recoating and cathodic protection practicesMore detailed discussion of manufacturing-related threats, including electric resistance welding (ERW) seam issues, hook cracks, lack of fusion and hard spots.”

WDVM: SUV crashes into gas pipeline on Ox Road in Fairfax County; nearby school, shopping center evacuated
Jenny Gable, 8/19/26

“An SUV crashed into a gas pipeline on Ox Road in Fairfax Station on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a gas leak and evacuations of a nearby school and shopping center,” WDVM reports. “...Fire officials said the SUV struck a 12-inch gas line, creating a strong smell of gas in the area. As a result, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said the nearby Fairview Elementary School and Burke Center Shopping Center were evacuated… “At this time, the cause of the crash remains unclear.”

WASHINGTON UPDATESHeatmap: 75% of Americans Now Oppose Local Data Center Development
Robinson Meyer, 8/19/26

“...Three-quarters of Americans now say that they would oppose a new data center being built near where they live, according to a new Heatmap Pro poll conducted by Embold Research, and more than six in 10 Americans say they would strongly oppose such a proposal,” Heatmap reports. “If you can think of a cohort of Americans, there’s a good chance they wouldn’t welcome a data center in their area. The shift against the facilities is represented across age, gender, income, partisan ID, and the rural-urban divide… “Notably, local data centers are 63 points underwater with rural voters, a group that has skewed more Republican over the past decade… “What’s most remarkable is the pace of change: We’ve polled this same question four times in the past 12 months and haven’t changed its wording once — yet Americans have swung a remarkable 33 points against data centers in the intervening time… “We first asked the question last August. Back then, Americans were about evenly split on whether they would support or oppose a data center being built near their home, with roughly 43% in support and 42% opposed. Attitudes had changed by February of this year, when we asked the question a second time. That time, a bare majority — 51% of Americans — said they would oppose a data center. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they would support it or weren’t sure. The shock came in May, though, when seven in 10 Americans were opposed and 55% were “strongly” opposed. Yet since then, Americans have moved even further against the facilities. Now, just 4% of Americans say they would “strongly support” a data center proposed in their area. That figure stood at 13% last August.”

South Dakota Searchlight: Thune calls energy development permitting reform a rare opportunity for bipartisan action
Joshua Haiar, 8/19/26

“U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said this week that permitting reform could offer a rare opportunity for bipartisan action in Congress,” the South Dakota Searchlight reports. “...Thune told attendees lawmakers are considering shorter federal reviews for energy projects and time limits on legal challenges from project opponents… “Congress should put permitting reform into federal law rather than rely on regulations that can change from one presidential administration to another, Thune said. He said different administrations will continue to treat fossil fuels and renewables differently. Thune, for his part, said he favors an “all of the above” energy strategy. A permitting “shot clock” to establish deadlines for the review process is one possibility, he said. He also wants Congress to address litigation after permits are issued, including how quickly courts deal with litigation and who can file legal challenges.”

E&E News: A Supreme Court case may be slowing Trump’s next climate rollback
Jean Chemnick, 8/20/26

“...EPA’s planned repeal of Biden-era power plant carbon standards has been under Office of Management and Budget review since May, an unusually long pause for an administration that trampled procedural norms last year in its haste to get out of the business of regulating climate emissions,” E&E News reports. “The slowdown might be strategic. Releasing the power plant rule before Oct. 5 could complicate the Justice Department’s upcoming argument in a blockbuster Supreme Court climate case that the Clean Air Act deems EPA — not states and cities — the nation’s primary regulator of greenhouse gas emissions. DOJ’s position in the case doesn’t square with the message the Trump administration is sending through its regulations — that the Clean Air Act gives EPA no role in controlling planet-warming emissions at all. That was the crux of EPA’s February repeal of the so-called endangerment finding that allowed the agency to regulate climate pollution from motor vehicles. EPA is widely expected to import the same rationale in its upcoming repeal of all power plant climate rules… “But environmental attorneys told E&E the administration couldn’t have it both ways… The law is clear, and EPA should focus on doing its job to protect public health rather than wasting everyone’s time with tortured arguments to avoid its responsibility,” Meredith Hankins, legal director for federal climate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told E&E.”

Vox: How the Supreme Court could use Trump’s ballroom to gut environmental law
Ian Millhiser, 8/18/26

“The question of whether President Donald Trump may, without seeking permission from Congress, demolish much of the White House and replace it with his own projects is now before the Supreme Court,” Vox reports. “...A conservationist organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, soon sued to stop the construction on the ballroom in a case that is still ongoing. Lower courts have thus far agreed with this plaintiff that the ballroom is illegal… “That said, the Court could potentially hand Trump a victory by prohibiting anyone from bringing a lawsuit against his ballroom to begin with. Should this argument succeed, it could have major ramifications for a wide range of laws that seek to conserve environmental resources or preserve sacred or historical sites… “More broadly, the Court has long held that plaintiffs who wish to observe something beautiful may often sue to enforce environmental statutes that seek to preserve that beauty… “Trump’s brief, however, rejects this longstanding rule. Without it, numerous environmental, conservationist, and historical preservation laws could effectively cease to function, because no one would be able to file a lawsuit enforcing them.”

STATE UPDATES

KRQE: New Mexico Environment Department proposing rule aimed at finding large methane leaks
Jordan Honeycutt, 8/14/26

“The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed a new rule aimed at cutting down on pollution from natural gas,” KRQE reports. “...It would allow environment officials to work with companies that use satellites, aircraft, and other technology to spot leaks. An operator would be on the hook for repairing and reporting leaks. The Environment Department said the rule would not only cut down on methane emissions, but it would help operators from losing natural gas that they could capture and sell, and protect state revenue tied to the industry.”

EXTRACTION

New Scientist: World may warm by 25 per cent more than current projections suggest
Michael Le Page, 8/19/26

“Climate models projecting higher warming for a given level of carbon dioxide have been discounted as unrealistic, but a new way of assessing models suggests they are accurate,” New Scientist reports. “For a given emission trajectory, we expect warming to be 25 per cent higher,” Gergana Gyuleva at ETH Zurich in Switzerland told NS. The conclusion has enormous implications. For instance, a project called the Climate Action Tracker currently projects that average global surface temperatures will rise by 2.6°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 if countries implement existing policies. Gyuleva team’s results suggest we are instead heading for 3.25°C.”

Heated: We need to press Big Tech on their AI partnerships with Big Oil
Emily Atkin, 8/19/26

“Lots of people—way more than usual!—are reading and sharing last week’s article about a new study finding that Big Oil’s use of AI to increase production could trigger 3.3 to 13.3 times more climate pollution than the emissions from AI data centers,” Heated reports. “Why are these huge technology companies making custom AI tools to help the fossil fuel industry produce more oil and gas in the first place? Microsoft, Google and Amazon have all promised both to fight climate change and to develop AI responsibly… “And yet, Microsoft, Google and Amazon have all created custom AI or machine-learning tools for fossil fuel companies to help them increase production. So how are these companies going to respond to research suggesting their actions are achieving the exact opposite of what they promise?... “One thing I expect to hear from these companies is that their AI technology is actually helping oil companies reduce the emissions intensity of their operations. But emissions intensity is not the same thing as overall emissions. AI may help an oil company emit less pollution per barrel of oil. But if the company is producing more barrels than it otherwise would have, total emissions can still rise.”

Reuters: About half of Venezuela oil output now goes to US, Under Secretary Haustveit says
Marianna Parraga, 8/18/26

“U.S. Energy Under Secretary Kyle Haustveit said on Tuesday that about half of Venezuela’s oil output is now being exported to the U.S.,” Reuters reports. ““In the last couple of months, we’re seeing north of 500,000 barrels of approximately half of the production coming out of Venezuela is coming to the United States to the refineries that were built specifically for that crude,” he said at an event in Houston, adding that the country is currently producing around 1.25 million barrels a day… “He said the country needs diluents for heavier grades that should be developed in Venezuela. Martinez also said that the country’s refineries should be improved, modernized and expanded; he said that Venezuela’s fuel output has increased 12.9% so far this year, supplying 5.4% more fuel domestically.”

Bloomberg: Data center gas plants to boost US power emissions by 20 percent
8/19/26

“Data center developers are turning to bespoke natural-gas power plants, a development that promises to dramatically increase carbon emissions and make it harder for U.S. technology companies to meet their lofty climate goals,” Bloomberg reports. “...That fossil fuel infrastructure threatens to push Big Tech’s climate goals out of reach. Both Amazon and Microsoft are big backers of clean energy projects and have said they aim to zero out their contribution to the carbon emissions responsible for a warming planet. Those pledges were made before the artificial intelligence boom, at a time when technology companies were under pressure from employees and outside activists to do more to cut their emissions. Spokespeople for Amazon and Microsoft say their climate goals haven’t changed. Amazon is exploring its options for solar power and battery storage at the west Texas site.”

Minichart: Sunshine Oilsands Regulatory Appeal Denied by Alberta Energy Regulator; Company to Challenge in Court and Seek Stay
8/20/26

“Investors in Sunshine Oilsands Ltd. are facing a fresh wave of regulatory uncertainty after the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) upheld a previously issued enforcement order against the company,” Minichart reports. “The decision, which was received on August 18, 2026 (Calgary time), marks a significant setback in the company’s ongoing efforts to resolve its regulatory compliance issues. The company has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Court of King’s Bench and apply for a stay of the order, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle… “This legal challenge prolongs the uncertainty surrounding the company’s ability to operate its West Ells project without the shadow of the regulator’s order… “Depending on the nature and terms of the Order, which have not been fully detailed in this announcement, the company could face financial penalties, operational restrictions, or mandated remediation costs.”

OPINION

The Iowa Standard: Republicans should never be afraid to stand for private property rights
State Sen. Kevin Alons, 8/19/26

“...They reflect the priorities Republican candidates campaign on and the principles contained in the Republican Party of Iowa platform, but there remains one issue on which the Iowa Senate continues to deny Iowans the vote they deserve: property rights,” State Sen. Kevin Alons writes for The Iowa Standard. “After months of advocacy from landowners and legislators, Senate leadership chose to adjourn without allowing a vote on my amendment, Senate Amendment 5190. That amendment, co-sponsored by ten Republican senators, would have prohibited the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines while still allowing companies such as Summit Carbon Solutions to pursue their projects through voluntary agreements with willing landowners. That is not radical. It is not anti-business. It is not anti-development. It is a balanced, reasonable solution that recognizes economic opportunity while defending one of the most fundamental rights we possess as Americans: the right to own property without fear that government will seize it for the benefit of a private company. Republicans should never be afraid to stand for that principle… “When voters repeatedly ask their elected officials for action and those officials repeatedly refuse even to allow a vote, we should not be surprised when voters become frustrated… “If Republicans lose, it cannot be blamed on those protecting our fundamental rights; it must be placed on those fighting for private interests.”

Toronto Sun: Resurrecting Keystone XL pipeline would be win for Canada
Lorrie Goldstein, 8/19/26

“If the new U.S.-Canada trade deal — details to come — revives the Keystone XL pipeline project, as U.S. President Donald Trump hinted in announcing the trade agreement had been reached, it would be a good deal for Canada,” Lorrie Goldstein writes for the Toronto Sun. “...Given Trumps propensity for bombast, whether it actually happens — and there is no word yet from the Carney government on Trump’s reference to the Keystone XL — is anyone’s guess. But if it did, it would benefit Canada. Had the Keystone XL been approved, it would have generated an estimated $30 billion in tax and royalty revenues for Canada, with a $2.4 billion boost to Canada’s GDP… “That said, building the original pipeline today would face numerous regulatory hurdles as well as protests by environmental organizations and citizens’ groups in both the U.S. and Canada, that have opposed the Keystone XL from the start. The original corporate backer of the project, TC Energy, withdrew in 2021 after Biden vetoed it, costing the Alberta government $1.3 billion it had spent supporting the project.”

Los Angeles Times: Politicians defy the people when they take away protections from public lands
Stephen Trimble, 8/19/26

“The Utah congressional delegation stood behind the Resolute Desk, an offensive line protecting their quarterback. They nodded along as President Trump issued executive orders last month that virtually abolished Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments, reducing their protected acres by 90% and opening up more than 3 million acres of public land to mining claims, oil and gas leasing, and destructive development. But the opposing team consists of most everyone else. A stunning 91% of Western voters say national monuments should retain existing boundaries,” Stephen Trimble writes for the Los Angeles Times. “...The Utah delegates (and donors to those politicians) are obsessed with boundary reduction because they want maximum access for corporate profit. But they remain ensnared by a 19th century dream. Even though the claims have already begun, mining in these far-flung canyons has mostly proven impractical or uneconomical. Even so, losing protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase will lead to more roads that disrupt biodiversity, locked gates on corporate access roads that truly ‘lock up’ the land, less staff to prevent cultural vandalism and less support for scientific discovery.”