WilliamsEnergyNewsLive.com, Williams’ internet-based live daily energy news report, will sign off the air Dec. 31, a victim of budget cuts.

EnergyNewsLive has been providing hourly news updates on key energy industry events since Oct. 23, 2000 for more than 40,000 viewers, the company announcement said. The departure of the audio/video internet broadcast is part of Williams’ plan to rebuild its finances. The company is continuing to optimize its cash position, reduce debt and focus on core businesses like gas pipelines, natural gas production and midstream services such as gathering and processing.

EnergyNewsLive did not run advertising, nor charge a subscription price, but was available free and regarded as a “branding tool” or advertisement for Williams, a spokesman said. Reports that Williams had tried unsuccessfully to sell the program rather than close it down could not be confirmed.

In announcing the sign-off, ENL itemized some of the events it had covered in the 4,980 live broadcasts over the past two years, including: President Bush’s comprehensive energy plan, the California power crisis, OPEC output decisions, the collapse of Enron, changes within and from the FERC, new power plant air quality standards from the EPA, the emergence of Russia as one of the world’s growing energy producers, the price fluctuations of natural gas, oil, power and NGLs.

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