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Xcel Energy Inc. will be the name of the holding company createdby the merger of Denver-based New Century Energies and NorthernStates Power Co. of Minneapolis.

Avista Corp. is counting on technology businesses for growth andsees its Internet-based bill consolidation business as the frontdoor to a nationwide marketing presence. During press briefingslast week in Houston and Washington, DC, executives outlinedAvista’s continuing evolution.

Ground was broken last week for a $275 million, 540 MW naturalgas-fired power plant in Arizona by San Jose, CA-based CalpineCorp., and close observers of the California electric restructuringare indicating this may be the start of more to come throughout theSouthwest.

Cross Timbers Oil Co. purchased a 50% interest in Spring HoldingCo., a private Tulsa, OK-based oil and gas producer, for $42.5million. The deal is expected to close June 30.

FPL Energy Inc., a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc. plans to build,own and operate a 700 MW gas-fired power plant in Bellingham, MA.FPL Energy signed a purchase agreement with Massachusetts-basedInfrastructure Development Co. (IDC) for the right to build theplant. IDC planned the project, has been working with localcommunities and the state to obtain regulatory approvals and willcontinue to assist FPL Energy with development. Information on theplant’s projected gas consumption was unavailable.

Dallas-based Texas Utilities supports a bill to deregulateTexas’ $19 billion electric industry. The proposal was passed lastweek by the House State Affairs Committee by a vote of 13 to 2 andnow goes to the full House for consideration.

Dallas-based Texas Utilities Co. is changing its name to TXU,which is also the company’s stock symbol. The action bringstogether divisions and subsidiaries, domestic and international,under one name. TU Electric/Lone Star Gas, the company’s largestdomestic operation, will be renamed TXU Electric & Gas.

Dallas-based Texas Utilities said it supports a bill toderegulate Texas’ $19 billion electric industry. The proposal waspassed Wednesday by the House State Affairs Committee by a vote of13 to 2 and now goes to the full House for consideration.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) unanimously approvedthe proposed merger of American Electric Power Co. of Columbus, OH,and Dallas-based Central and South West Corp.