Allow

Industry Briefs

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a plan that will allow Washington state’s Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project to produce an additional 219,600 MWh of electricity. FERC is suspending part of an interim requirement that allows the licensee to spill water for 16 hours a day during the summer migration of fish. The latest action is in response to a Commission order issued on March 14, which urged all hydroelectric licensees in the 11 states of the Western Systems Coordinating Council to examine their projects and propose any efficiency modifications that may boost generation without causing unnecessary environmental harm. The project is subject to interim spring and summer spill flow requirements to protect fish until a final determination is made by FERC for appropriate flows or other mitigation. Hydropower accounts for 65% of the Northwest’s power generation.

June 5, 2001

ComEd Asks FERC to Relax Rules for Summer Period

Commonwealth Edison Co. has requested waivers and authorizations from FERC to allow a number of its industrial and commercial customers with on-site generation to sell excess power to the utility during summer peak demand periods without first obtaining Commission approval.

May 14, 2001

ComEd Asks FERC to Relax Rules for Summer Period

Commonwealth Edison Co. has requested waivers and authorizations from FERC to allow a number of its industrial and commercial customers with on-site generation to sell excess power to the utility during summer peak demand periods without first obtaining Commission approval.

May 9, 2001

FERC Waivers to Promote QF Power in CA Hit Snag

FERC’s recent waivers to allow qualifying facilities (QFs) in California to sell output that isn’t earmarked for the state’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to third parties have run into a snag in the state, says a Daggett, CA-based solar electric generator.

April 9, 2001

Chevron Expands Australian LNG project

Regulatory approval by the government in Western Australia will allow Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. to move forward with a $1.6 billion expansion of its Australian LNG facilities, the North West Shelf Venture (NWSV) near Karratha, Western Australia. The expansion, which is designed mainly to increase exports to Japan and Pacific Rim countries, also would provide increased LNG shipments to the United States — including a potential new import terminal on the West Coast (see NGI, March 26).

April 9, 2001

FERC Waivers to Promote QF Power Sales in CA Hit Snag

FERC’s recent waivers to allow qualifying facilities (QFs) in California to sell output that isn’t earmarked for the state’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to third parties have run into a snag in the state, says a Daggett, CA-based solar electric generator

April 5, 2001

Chevron Expands Australian LNG project

Regulatory approval by the government in Western Australia will allow Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. to move forward with a $1.6 billion expansion of its Australian LNG facilities, the North West Shelf Venture (NWSV) near Karratha, Western Australia. The expansion, which is designed mainly to increase exports to Japan and Pacific Rim countries, also would provide increased LNG shipments to the United States — including a potential new import terminal on the West Coast (see Daily GPI, March 26; March 20).

April 3, 2001

Initial Legislation in CA Gets Low Marks

California Gov. Gray Davis on Friday signed a short-term measure(AB 7X) to allow the state to get into the bulk power spotpurchasing business immediately. He also ordered the state waterresources department to begin setting up a power auction processanticipating it will be authorized by another new state law thatwill be finalized this week to seek long-term electricitycontracts. Observers and market participants, however, say themeasures probably are inadequate to solve the state’s currentsupply crisis.

January 22, 2001

Noble, Kerr McGee Raise Spending Plans

Independents Noble Affiliates and Kerr McGee Corp. have sharplyincreased their capital investment budgets this year. Kerr-McGee isbudgeting a record $1.24 billion for capital expenditures in 2001,a 60% increase from the company’s 2000 capital expenditures, andNoble’s spending is being increased 40%, with 60% of the $700million being used for developmental projects.

January 10, 2001

Industry Brief

Canadian 88 Energy Corp. said it has opened data rooms to allowpotential acquirers access to confidential information. TheCanadian exploration and production company put itself up for salein October after Duke Energy rescued it by buying a controllingstake. On Oct. 10, the company announced that its board hadestablished a special committee to review strategic alternativesand identify opportunities to enhance shareholder value. The boardsaid strong fundamentals for high quality natural gas assets andprospects are not reflected in current stock price valuations andare more likely to be realized through such a strategic reviewprocess. Canadian 88 stated several reasons for initiating thereview process, including high gas prices, large working interestsin significant company-operated gas fields, an inventory ofexcellent gas exploration prospects, the world class potential ofthe company’s East Coast holdings, imminent expiration of currentgas hedges and tax pools in excess of $400 million.

November 29, 2000