Challenged

Former Vice President Al Gore last week challenged the nation to produce all of its electricity through renewable resources within 10 years, a goal that he said the next president should embrace. His announcement followed a call by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which urged the next president and Congress to set a strategic long-term energy policy for the United States.

Former Vice President Al Gore Thursday challenged the nation to produce all of its electricity through renewable resources within 10 years, a goal that he said he wanted the next president to embrace.

Although it was challenged by the Illinois attorney general, a revenue decoupling plan instituted by Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas appears to be paying off for consumers, at least for now.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the energy sector are likely to increase this year, but companies may be challenged in securing ready capital, according to a recent survey.

Evoking the interests of the sage grouse, four conservation groups have challenged the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Utah state office over the federal agency’s selection of 57 parcels totaling 83,000 acres for a Feb. 19 oil and gas lease sale. The nonprofit groups allege that 90% of the parcels would hurt wildlife habitat, particularly that of the sage grouse.

A state district court judge in Billings, MT, upheld state water quality standards that had been challenged by coalbed methane (CBM) producers. Conservation groups claimed “a major legal victory” while at least one producer said it was in compliance and no changes to operations would be necessary.

A state district court judge in Billings, MT, upheld state water quality standards that had been challenged by coalbed methane (CBM) producers. Conservation groups claimed “a major legal victory” while at least one producer said it was in compliance and no changes to operations would be necessary.

Challenged by lower energy prices and production, Wall Street wizards had predicted that the oil and natural gas producers would unveil less-than-stellar results in the first three months of 2007. However, ExxonMobil Corp. led by example, stunning the financial prognosticators with yet another record quarter.

Challenged by lower energy prices and production, ExxonMobil Corp. overcame the odds and finessed its way to a surprising 10% gain in 1Q2007 net profit from a year ago.