Adopted

Following more than five months of public comment and deliberation, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) adopted Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s sustainable energy plan. The ICC resolution issued Tuesday largely reflects the proposal the governor submitted to the ICC last February that called for both a renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standard.

FERC last Wednesday adopted a policy statement allowing regulated energy companies, such as interstate natural gas pipelines and public utilities, that are partnerships to reflect actual or potential income tax liability in their cost-of-service rates.

FERC on Wednesday adopted a policy statement allowing regulated energy companies, such as interstate natural gas pipelines and public utilities, that are partnerships to reflect actual or potential income tax liability in their cost-of-service rates.

FERC could and would preempt Georgia regulators if they adopted a plan to permanently assign interstate pipeline capacity assets held by Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) to certificated natural gas marketers who participate in the state’s retail choice program, the Commission said last Wednesday in response to a petition for a declaratory order by the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC).

FERC could and would preempt Georgia regulators if they adopted a plan to permanently assign the interstate pipeline capacity assets held by Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) to certificated natural gas marketers to participate in the state’s retail choice program, the Commission said Wednesday in response to a petition for a declaratory order by the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC).

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) said Thursday that it modified and then adopted a stipulation and recommendation from Columbia Gas of Ohio and a collaborative group of parties that relates to Columbia’s rate, natural gas choice program, gas cost recovery, and long-term forecast report, among other things.

The California Energy Commission earlier this month unanimously adopted a new set of more stringent building standards for homes and commercial buildings, promising to shave the state’s peak demand by up to the equivalent of 150 to 180 MW after their first full year in use at the end of 2006. The new standards are to be effective October 2005.

By a 3-2 vote, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has adopted a “code of conduct” for natural gas utilities, prohibiting them from giving marketing affiliates preference over non-affiliated marketers in issues concerning transportation or curtailment authority. Among other things, the code does not allow the utilities to release confidential customer information without prior authorization.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has adopted emergency rules that would require the state’s licensed marketers to meet more stringent financial qualifications. The rules, approved this week by the Commission and submitted to the Illinois secretary of state, take effect March 1, when the systemwide customer choice program by Nicor Gas is scheduled to begin.