Across

With 5,900 MW of new mostly gas-fired generation capacity comingonline this winter across the United States, the North AmericanElectric Reliability Council concluded in its latest WinterAssessment that “electric resources will be adequate” to meetprojected electricity demand.

Flush with profit from surging natural gas prices and a stockrise across the board this year of about 85%, North Americanindependents still appear to be in no rush to secure financing formore exploration and production activities. And unless you’ve gotequity or a strong balance sheet, lenders still may be wary beforejumping into any financing deals.

The cash market fell across the board Friday but was hardly amodel of consistency. Declines ranged from barely 2-3 cents atscattered points to more than 20 cents at a few western points;most were between a nickel and about a dime. Activity was describedas quiet.

Governors from across the United States are expected to convene in Columbus, OH, Sept. 20 at a summit to discuss the high natural gas prices and supply challenges facing consumers this winter. The meeting will also address long-term state and federal gas policy, such as human resource needs in the domestic petroleum industry, tax incentives and access to public lands for gas drilling.

Governors from across the United States are expected to convenein Columbus, OH, Sept. 20 at a summit to discuss the high naturalgas prices and supply challenges facing consumers this winter. Themeeting will also address long-term state and federal gas policy,such as human resource needs in the domestic petroleum industry,tax incentives and access to public lands for gas drilling.

One of the United Kingdom’s leading natural gas suppliers took ahuge step across the Big Pond last week, agreeing to purchase oneof Canada’s largest gas marketers. Centrica Plc will pay $612million in cash and assumed debt for Calgary’s Direct EnergyMarketing Ltd. and its associated marketer, Natural GasWholesalers.

Taking the first step to move across the Canadian border, NSPower Holdings Inc. announced plans to merge with its U.S.neighbor, Maine’s Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.

One of the United Kingdom’s leading natural gas suppliers took ahuge step across the Big Pond yesterday, agreeing to purchase oneof Canada’s largest gas marketers. Centrica Plc will pay $612million in cash and assumed debt for Calgary’s Direct EnergyMarketing Ltd. and its associated marketer, Natural GasWholesalers.

Taking the first step to move across the Canadian border, NSPower Holdings Inc. said Friday it will merge with its U.S.neighbor, Maine’s Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.