Ahead

In its order (CP99-94) approving the downsized project last week, FERCnoted that FGT had amended its plan and cut facilities for the New SmyrnaBeach Lateral that would have served a trailblazing 514 MW merchant powerplant proposed by Duke Energy and approved by the Florida Public ServiceCommission. The PSC’s certification of the power plant was appealed bythe IOUs in a case that currently is lodged in the state Supreme Court.A Duke spokesman said the company was confident its New Smyrna Beach PowerPlant ultimately would be approved, but it has dropped back from FGT’sPhase IV expansion due to go into service in May, 2001 to its Phase V expansiondue in 2002 (see NGI, Dec. 6).

Sabine Pipe Line Co. last week got the go-ahead from FERC tosell a small segment of its pipeline system in Texas and Louisianaas part of its effort to restructure its business into a limitedliability company.

Sabine Pipe Line Co. has gotten the go-ahead from FERC torestructure its business as a limited liability company to takeadvantage of certain state and franchise tax benefits and gaingreater flexibility to raise capital.

Florida Gas Transmission received the go-ahead for constructionof its Phase IV expansion to serve investor-owned utilities (IOUs)and industrials in Florida, minus capacity that would have servedthe state’s first merchant power plant.

Strong and growing interest in LNG importation spurred ColumbiaLNG Corp. to go ahead and buy the other half of the Cove Point LNGLimited Partnership it did not already own from Potomac ElectricPower Co. unregulated subsidiary Potomac Capital Investment Corp.

Florida Gas Transmission reported completing a maintenance projecton its East White Lake Lateral in southwestern Louisiana well ahead ofschedule and said volumes will be restored to 450,000 MMBtu/d on thelateral’s south end and to 150,000 MMBtu/d on the north end effectivewith the Nov. 24 gas day. The work originally had been expected tolast through Dec. 10 (see Daily GPI, Oct. 19).

Foothills Pipeline CEO Robert L. Pierce said last week it won’tbe long before Alaskan natural gas is absolutely necessary to meetU.S. demand. And he remains convinced that the long-proposed AlaskaNatural Gas Transportation System (ANGTS) from Prudhoe Bay alongthe Alaska Highway and eventually to Alberta is the best way tomake it happen.

Foothills Pipeline CEO Robert L. Pierce said yesterday it won’tbe long before Alaskan natural gas is absolutely necessary to meetU.S. demand. And he remains convinced that the long-proposed AlaskaNatural Gas Transportation System (ANGTS) from Prudhoe Bay alongthe Alaska Highway and eventually to Alberta is the best way tomake it happen.

What are the chances that the U.S. would experience yet anotherwarmer-than-normal winter after just having two in a row?Apparently they’re pretty good right now, according to a new winterweather forecast released last week by the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration. One thing is certain: the La Ninatropical Pacific sea temperature event, which is expected toinfluence this winter’s weather, will throw a monkey wrench inregional weather forecasting models.