Approving

Duke Energy accepted an order from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) approving Duke Energy’s planned merger with Cinergy. Duke and Cinergy planned to close the merger over the weekend (April 1).

Duke Energy on Monday accepted an order from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) approving Duke Energy’s planned merger with Cinergy. Duke and Cinergy plan to close the merger on April 1.

The American Gas Association (AGA) on Wednesday gave high marks to the Senate for approving an additional $1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal year 2006, bringing total funding for the year to nearly $3.2 billion.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox lambasted state regulators Thursday for approving substantial increases in Consumers Energy and Aquila’s utility gas cost recovery mechanisms for the winter heating season. Heating bills this winter for Consumers Energy and Aquila residential ratepayers will rise 38% and 47%, respectively.

FERC on Thursday issued a certificate to Dominion South Pipeline Co. LP., a new subsidiary of Dominion Resources, approving the construction of a small pipeline in Texas that would connect the mainline system of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line with Florida Gas Transmission (FGT).

The U.S. needs to “speak with one voice” when it comes to approving and regulating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals, and that “one voice” is found in the federal government, two gas industry associations told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Wednesday in an amicus brief filed in support of FERC in its jurisdictional battle with the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC).

The U.S. needs to “speak with one voice” when it comes to approving and regulating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals, and that “one voice” is found in the federal government, two gas industry associations told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Wednesday in an amicus brief filed in support of FERC in its jurisdictional battle with the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC).

FERC on Wednesday upheld its November 2003 order approving with one change a $1.7 billion settlement of California’s allegations that an El Paso Corp. pipeline drove up natural gas prices in the state by withholding capacity during the state’s energy crisis, and that it gave preferential treatment to its energy merchant affiliate during bidding on transportation capacity.

FERC last week issued an order approving a bid by Duke Energy Trading and Marketing to transfer certain wholesale power transactions and related books and records to Morgan Stanley Capital Group (MSCG).