2004

Power generation and natural gas production operations were the big earners during the third quarter of 2004, while financial and performance results from four other major energy industry segments, including natural gas transportation, gas distribution, power distribution and gas and power marketing were down substantially compared to the same quarter a year earlier, according to a comprehensive analysis by Maryland-based Energy Performance Review (EPR).

The leaders of three citizens organizations have called for a face-to-face meeting with FERC Chairman Pat Wood to air their opposition to the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Fall River, MA, and Providence, RI, according to a published report.

The trial date for one of five former natural gas traders who were indicted in late November on charges of reporting false trades has been pushed back to August from February, according to a published report. The trials of four other ex-traders also may be rescheduled.

In announcing Exelon’s proposed $12.5 billion merger with NJ-based Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) last week, Chairman John Rowe said market power concerns probably will force the combination to divest several thousand megawatts of fossil-fuel and nuclear generation because of its dominance on the PJM grid.

Terrorist assaults on tankers transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) into U.S. ports would likely produce thermal hazards for people who are located a mile away from the site, along with extensive injuries and structural damage from the scorching heat, a new study by government scientists reported last week.

FERC’s proposed regulations governing the conduct of open seasons on an Alaska natural gas pipeline flout the directive of Congress because they favor the three dominant producers in the state — BP, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, contend competing producers.

Exelon Chairman John Rowe expects a few market power questions in the regulatory review of Exelon’s proposed $12.5 billion stock-for-stock merger with Newark, NJ-based Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), which was announced on Monday. He said the new company, Exelon Electric & Gas, which will be the largest U.S. combination utility, may have to divest some fossil-fuel and nuclear generation capacity on the PJM grid where it will have a dominant market presence.

FERC’s proposed regulations governing the conduct of open seasons on an Alaska natural gas pipeline flout the directive of Congress because they favor the three dominant producers in the state — BP, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, contend competing producers.

FERC staff said Friday that an incorrect e-mail attachment sent by a “clerk” at Dominion Transmission to weekly storage surveyors at the Energy Information Administration (EIA) led to the erroneous storage report last month and subsequent jump in futures prices. FERC staff estimates the error and price run-up cost U.S. consumers $200 million to $1 billion in their December cost of gas.