Oil and gas news briefs February 21, 2012

• The Energy Department reports coal demand for power generation is at its lowest level since 1992.
• Environmental groups that once saw the natural gas industry as an ally against coal are now turning against the industry over fracking.
• Proposed rules in New York state would allow drillers three options for handling wastewater from fracking operations.
• Mitsubishi buys a 40 percent stake in an Encana natural gas play in northeastern British Columbia.
• Yemen is diverting more LNG cargoes to Asia to grab higher prices.
• And several more news items of interest.