Adjust

Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities last Thursday filed separate requests with the regulators in Washington and Oregon to adjust its natural gas and electric utility rates in those states. The utility said the changes are driven by increasing costs associated with meeting what it called “growing electric and natural gas demands of customers.”

Nicor Inc. said Monday that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted a motion last week filed by its gas distribution company, Nicor Gas, to adjust its base rates to recover $54.2 million, compared to the $48.8 million allowed under tariffs previously filed on Oct. 4. Because the order shifted certain revenues and credits between base rates and the purchase gas adjustment rider, the company estimates that the actual annual net revenue increase will be about $34.7 million under the newly revised tariffs, compared to $29.3 million under the previously filed tariffs.

Enbridge Gas Distribution announced last Wednesday it has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to adjust its prices Jan.1, resulting in a C$70 annual increase for the typical residential customer buying gas from the distributor, excluding a gas cost adjustment refund, and a C$6 annual decrease for a typical residential buying gas from a marketer.

Enbridge Gas Distribution announced Wednesday it has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to adjust its prices Jan.1, resulting in a C$70 annual increase for the typical residential customer buying gas from Enbridge, excluding a gas cost adjustment refund, and a C$6 annual decrease for a typical residential buying gas from a marketer.

The horror stories told by commercial and industrial companies this Halloween involved high natural gas prices rather than ghouls and goblins. Gas consumers are struggling to adapt to $7-9/MMBtu natural gas and to the dramatic changes that have taken place in the market over the last four years, according to energy service providers.

Despite the 78-cent near-month futures price collapse on Wednesday, the market for January delivery still stands at $9.435/MMBtu and there are probably plenty more horror stories than success stories from gas buyers prior to the Halloween weekend. Success is relative in this market and gas consumers need to adapt to the changes that have taken place over the last four years in order to find it, according to energy service providers.

Despite the 78-cent near-month futures price collapse on Wednesday, the market for January delivery still stands at $9.435/MMBtu and there are probably plenty more horror stories than success stories from gas buyers prior to the Halloween weekend. Success is relative in this market and gas consumers need to adapt to the changes that have taken place over the last four years in order to find it, according to energy service providers.

As private and public sector utilities scrambled to adjust power flows around transmission corridors threatened by a series of brush fires in Southern California last week, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) reported a peak demand record for the third straight day on Wednesday, hitting 44,360 MW.

Toronto-based Enbridge Gas Distribution has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to adjust the gas supply cost portion of its rates effective Thursday (July 1). The regulated gas utility said the impact of the charges would vary based on the amount of gas used and whether customers buy their natural gas from the utility or a gas marketer. Enbridge delivers gas to about 1.7 million customers in its franchise area. Of those customers, about 60% buy their gas supply from the utility, and the other 40% buy their gas supply directly from marketers. The utility’s gas supply charge, the actual cost of the gas without mark-up, will increase 16%. The new residential gas supply price will be C28.6 cents per cubic meter, up from C24.07 cents. For a typical residential customer who buys gas from the utility, this represents an annual increase of C$122, Enbridge said. Customers who buy their gas from a marketer will continue to pay the price specified in their contract with that marketer. Enbridge said its delivery charge for all customers — whether they buy from the utility or a marketer — also will increase “slightly,” attributable to higher costs for natural gas storage, which are included in the delivery charge. For a typical residential customer, the annual increase to the delivery charge will be approximately C$4.