FERC denied rehearing of a June order that permits Arizona Public Service Co. to assign its full-requirements (FR) capacity contract on El Paso Natural Gas to affiliate Pinnacle West Energy to serve a new gas-fired generation facility that it is building in Arizona. On the surface, it seemed a clear victory for the companies involved. However, Chairman Pat Wood made it very clear that he has concerns about FR service on El Paso, which entitles customers to unlimited capacity at frozen rates, and that he plans to take up the issue at a later date.
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Senate Pushes Up Agenda on Omnibus Energy Bill
Since the “near-term problems” involving the California power market and added funding for low-income energy assistance seem to have become less pressing, Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) announced last week that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will move up its consideration of comprehensive legislation that will address long-term energy issues.
Senate Pushes Up Agenda on Omnibus Energy Bill
Since the “near-term problems” involving the California power market and increased funding for low-income energy assistance seem to have been resolved or are close to it, Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) announced yesterday the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will move up its consideration of comprehensive legislation that will address long-term energy issues.
Expanding SoCal Supply, Transport on CPUC Agenda
California regulators this week could start to remove some of the uncertainty surrounding the in-state markets in the first of a series of natural gas infrastructure decisions that ultimately could greatly expand the two major utility intrastate transmission/storage systems.
FERC Closes Book on Changes to Order 637
At its final meeting before the August break, FERC last weekcleared its agenda of several major rehearing orders — includingOrder 637-B, which was a rehearing of Order 637-A, which was arehearing of Order 637. This time around the Commission refused tobudge on the majority of the policy calls it made in 637-A thataddressed regulation of the short-term natural gas transportationmarket.
Murkowski Outlines Senate’s Electric Restructuring Agenda
The U.S. Senate is closing in on a set schedule of hearings forall pending federal electric deregulation proposals, Senate EnergyCommittee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) said at a committeehearing last week. The schedule will include a hearing date for theDept. of Energy (DOE) Secretary Bill Richardson’s administrationproposal, allowing interested parties to comment on itscontroversial 7.5% renewable energy mandate.
Murkowski Outlines Senate’s Electric Deregulation Agenda
The U.S. Senate is closing in on a set schedule of hearings forall pending federal electric deregulation proposals, Senate EnergyCommittee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) said at a committeehearing Wednesday. The schedule will include a hearing date for theDept. of Energy Secretary Bill Richardson’s administrationproposal, allowing interested parties to comment on itscontroversial 7.5% renewable energy mandate.
Shell Cleans Up Deep-Water Drilling Agenda
Shell Exploration & Production Co. (SEPCo) outlined a planlast week to develop its strategic Gulf of Mexico (GOM) assetswhile cutting back on other deep-water projects. The plan includescommencing development on Shell’s 17th GOM project, the Brutus oiland gas play, while cutting up to $1.1 billion in E&P costs by2001. Shell’s 17 Gulf projects are the most of any GOM producer.