TransCanada PipeLines subsidiary NOVA Gas Transmission (NGTL)filed its new pricing structure proposal with the Alberta Energyand Utilities Board (AEUB) yesterday. The gas transportation tollson TransCanada’s Alberta system are consistent with the memorandumof understanding (MOU) reached recently with the CanadianAssociation of Petroleum Producers. Announced March 24, the MOUdetails a new distance- and quantity-based pricing structure toreplace the current postage-stamp pricing regime for tolls on theAlberta system. The application also reflects input gathered duringan extensive stakeholder consultation process that began in late1996. The filing replaces an application NGTL put forth to the AEUBin April 1998.

FPL Energy completed the previously announced purchase ofCentral Maine Power’s non-nuclear generating assets. The purchaseincludes hydro, fossil and biomass generating plants with a totalcapacity of 1,185 MW. FPL Energy’s new assets, purchased for$846-million, include 373 MW of hydro, 781 MW of fossil and 31 MWof wood-fired capacity.

Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co. gave Bechtel Power Corp. a$300 million contract to decommission its idled nuclear power plantin Haddam Neck, CT, and examine building a natural gas-fired powerplant on the site. Bechtel is expected to finish thedecommissioning in 2004. Decommissioning and more than 20 years ofspent-fuel storage is expected cost more than $400 million. The 585MW nuclear plant is 49% owned by Northeast Utilities. Seven otherutilities also hold ownership in the plant. It was closed down forsafety reasons in July 1996.

The new Wild Goose Storage Inc. began injecting working gas atits facility in Butte County, CA, just north of Sacramento. WildGoose is owned by an indirect subsidiary of Alberta Energy Co. Ltd.The state’s first merchant storage facility is tied into thePG&E system near the citygate in northern California. “Webelieve adding 14 Bcf of gas storage effectively at the citygate,with many of the key players in California as customers, willsignificantly improve market liquidity,” said a Wild Gooseofficial.

Wisconsin Gas’ GasAdvantage customer choice program gainedapproval from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to continuefor a fourth year. This year the program added the WashingtonCounty municipalities of Slinger, Hartford, and Jackson to WestBend as participants in the program. The commercial portion of thepilot also will be expanded to include the entire ANRPipeline-served portion of the company’s service territory. And thetotal available capacity of the entire program (both commercial andresidential) will be increased from 11,300 Dth to a limit of 22,000Dth of peak day service. Open enrollment for residential andcommercial customers will run from July 1 to Sept. 30, or until thetotal volume capacity is reached, whichever comes first. Marketersmust sign an agreement with Wisconsin Gas before May 1 toparticipate.

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