Cites

Battling on several fronts, El Paso Corp. affiliates last week defended against charges from California interests that it used market power to manipulate the market, claiming opposing testimony was rigged, and its own hedging losses argue against any attempt to withhold pipeline capacity from the market.

PENNSAFE, a division of Pennsylvania’s Dept. of Labor andIndustry, has filed a complaint in district court against EquitableGas Co., citing the failure of the utility to accurately mark itsline which resulted in the death of a McKeesport, PA, woman.

With just over a year to go before the new Alberta-to-Chicagolink, Alliance Pipeline, goes into service, TransCanada PipeLinesand affiliate Nova Gas Transmission already are feeling the impactof the competition.

Controversial arrangements between pipelines and marketers -similar to the one awarding Dynegy Marketing and Trade sole controlof 1.3 Bcf/d of the remaining unsubscribed capacity on El PasoNatural Gas – could proliferate if FERC should uncap prices in theshort-term capacity market without first ensuring that adequatesafeguards are in place for pipeline customers, Californiaregulators warned.

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) confirmed last week that he has sought”some information” from FERC on its natural gas policy optionspaper, saying he was especially concerned that certain proposalscould lead to re-regulation of the gas industry.