California regulators are scheduled today to take additionalsteps to open up the natural gas business by removing allrestrictions to the core aggregation program and unbundling gasutility billing services so nonutility firms can compete to providethat function. The actions are part of a larger program aimed atmaking a final decision on gas industry restructuring by the end ofthis year.

The intent of the California Public Utilities Commission is toincrease the number of marketers and brokers offering natural gasservices to the mass consumers represented by millions ofresidential and small business customers. The prospect of providingmore than commodity services to these customers is expected toattract additional gas marketers.

In the action expected today, the CPUC will set the finalprocedures for establishing the future natural gas marketstructure, including the possibility of unbundling more servicesand moving transmission and storage out of the utilities. This is acontinuation of a statewide gas strategy proceeding opened inJanuary, under which all of the major industry participants in thestate have submitted ideas for the restructuring.

©Copyright 1998 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press,Inc.