The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said it was pleased with the way Entergy employees handled a shutdown of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station during a blizzard in January, but it is continuing a review of the incident.

“We hope there are lessons learned that get incorporated for all future significant storms, because this has been twice in recent years where severe winter weather has resulted in a loss of offsite power and the plant having to shut down,” NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said.

Equipment issues caused the plant to remain shut down for 12 days following January’s blizzard. The NRC plans to release a final report of its review 45 days after it completes an inspection.

More: CapeCod.com

Chairman Says NRC Will Complete Yucca Review

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will take over the environmental review of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository because the Department of Energy won’t, according to Chairman Stephen Burns.

The NRC has found that the project could be built and operated safely, but construction can’t begin until the environmental review is complete. Burns said the agency has funds available to cover the costs of preparing a supplemental environmental impact statement.

More: E&E Publishing

Opponents Gathering for FERC Hearings on PennEast Pipeline

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is holding two public hearings this week in New Jersey on the proposed $1.2 billion PennEast natural gas line. The 114-mile pipeline would run from Northeastern Pennsylvania across the Delaware River to New Jersey and would deliver gas from the Marcellus Shale region to East Coast markets.

Opposition has grown since the pipeline was announced in October. “There is a concern that one new pipeline can become a pipeline corridor,” said Paul Pogorzelski, Hopewell Township Administrator. The township has filed letters of opposition with FERC.

One hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Ewing, N.J., and another Thursday in Hunterdon County.

More: NJ.com

FERC OKs Environmental Study for Puerto Rico LNG Terminal

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Aguirre Offshore GasPort Project in Puerto Rico. The floating plant would convert liquefied natural gas that arrives by ships into usable gas for Puerto Rican customers.

FERC concluded that the project would result in minimal environmental impact, mostly during construction, and that the completed LNG terminal would help improve the environment through decreased barge traffic in the area.

The environmental review took three years. Excelerate Energy is developing the project in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

More: Green Tech Media

IG Report: DOE Conferences Spent $21M on Golf, Dinner Cruises

A Department of Energy inspector general’s report shows that the department spent $21 million over 16 months on social events at conferences. The report shows that the expenses were racked up during 300 conferences between April 2013 and September 2014.

“We found that attendance at some conferences included associated social events,” according to the report. “For example, [Energy Department documents] showed department-sponsored conferences that included a casino night, Super Bowl party, golf tournament, banquet on a dinner cruise boat, dinner at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a tour and dinner at an aquarium.”

More: Washington Times

BOEM to Hold Meeting in NJ Before Offshore Drilling Starts

Three New Jersey lawmakers obtained a promise from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to hold a public meeting before the Obama administration opens up parts of the Atlantic Ocean to oil and gas drilling.

Though the areas that the agency has proposed for oil exploration are located hundreds of miles south of New Jersey, Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker and Rep. Frank Pallone sent a letter to the White House expressing their concerns with potential spills on New Jersey’s shore. They asked for a public comment session to be held before any final permits were granted.

BOEM last week promised to hold a public meeting. Booker called it an “important first step in helping the Obama administration understand the severity of the environmental and economic risks to New Jersey if oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean’s fragile ecosystem is permitted.”

More: Press of Atlantic City

Compiled by Ted Caddell