Rich Nemec

To strengthen its oversight of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) safety performance, California regulators have established an independent safety monitor to help shape daily operations. PG&E is under scrutiny for its potential role in causing several North California wildfires, including the Dixie fire, considered the second largest in state history.  “We welcome the additional…

Oil and natural gas production in North Dakota’s Bakken Shale fell in June from May, as Department of Mineral Resources director Lynn Helms said output was struggling following last year’s pandemic. “The Covid-19 pandemic sort of put the industry to sleep, and it is struggling somewhat to wake up,” Helms said last week during a…

In a major step toward eventual electrification, the California Energy Commission (CEC) on Wednesday proposed limiting the use of natural gas in new and remodeled buildings beginning in 2023. The standards still need approval by the California Building Standards Commission, which is scheduled to take up the issue in December. “The impact of climate change…

The future for Houston-based NRG Energy Inc. includes natural gas and retail consumer services with less coal-fired generation, CEO Mauricio Gutierrez said recently. The integration of Direct Energy, a natural gas retailer, along with a growing integrated consumer services platform, were the major drivers for increased earnings in the second quarter, Gutierrez said during a…

Bismarck, ND-based MDU Resources Group Inc. sees growth in its infrastructure businesses building natural gas pipelines and supplying construction services and materials as the Biden administration’s omnibus infrastructure bill passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday. The Biden administration’s “infrastructure proposals will provide additional multi-year opportunities to some of our core businesses, such as surface transportation improvements,…

Rapid City, SD-based Black Hills Corp. sees renewable natural gas (RNG) as an eventual sustainable driver for continued earnings and customer growth throughout its eight states of utility operations, CEO Linn Evans said earlier this month. Black Hills is “working pretty aggressively” on RNG, Evans told analysts during the second quarter 2021 earnings call. There…

Oregon utility Portland General Electric Co. (PGE) is embracing a move by the state that effectively bans any new or repowered fossil fuel electric generation plants, including those powered by natural gas.  During a recent 2Q2021 earnings conference call, CEO Maria Pope said the energy transition to electrification and increased power demand fits nicely with…

State proposals to transition toward net-zero carbon emissions remain in the “early innings” but there are opportunities for natural gas utilities, according to Xcel Energy Inc.’s incoming CEO. COO Bob Frenzel, who is taking over as CEO for retiring Ben Fowke, discussed the energy transition recently during a 2Q2021 earnings conference call. Frenzel was quizzed…

Robust growth in Texas has led San Diego-based Sempra to crank up its five-year capital expenditures (capex), while the California utility counterparts are doubling down on renewable natural gas (RNG). During a 2Q2021 earnings conference call, senior executives said the utility holding company showed “strong operational and financial results.” Southern California Gas Co. connected to…