Broader

Following approval of broader gas operations changes and unbundling of storage services late last year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) had approved various changes in Southern California Gas Co.’s (SoCalGas) storage services. The first of these changes, including rate caps, took effect last Friday, but the Sempra utility said it may take until late next year for the full array of changes to be made.

Following approval of broader gas operations changes and unbundling of storage services late last year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) had approved various changes in Southern California Gas Co.’s (SoCalGas) storage services. The first of these changes, including rate caps, take effect Friday, but the Sempra utility said it may take until late next year for the full array of changes to be made.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has taken a number of steps to implement its expanded authority over the new broader market for utility mergers and acquisitions, Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher told a congressional committee Thursday, rebutting a critical Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that called for greater efforts to protect consumers.

As part of a broader strategy to emphasize its natural gas business and deemphasize independent power generation, San Diego-based Sempra Energy is considering putting its Port Arthur, TX, liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on hold while expanding its more advanced LNG projects in North Baja California, Mexico and Cameron, LA. The decision marks the third case in a month in which a Gulf Coast LNG project has been shelved or canceled (see NGI, Aug. 28).

As part of a broader strategy to emphasize its natural gas business and deemphasize independent power generation, San Diego-based Sempra Energy is considering putting its Port Arthur, TX, liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on hold while expanding its more advanced LNG projects in North Baja California, Mexico and Cameron, LA.

The Senate last week approved an amendment as part of the broader energy bill that calls for the federal government to conduct a study of the controversial open-rack vaporization (ORV) system for liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals.

A bipartisan amendment is expected to be offered Thursday as part of the broader energy bill (HR 6) to provide $1 billion in coastal impact assistance funds over four years to six offshore producing states.

Calpine Corp. is evaluating the sale of up to eight power plants to capture stronger market valuations under a broader strategic initiative rolled out last Wednesday aimed at dramatically enhancing the company’s financial strength.

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last week signed off on a number of titles as part of broader comprehensive energy legislation, including electricity and coal titles. The panel is set to reconvene this week to consider an oil and gas title.