Closer

New York-based Sithe Energies, a privately held leadingindependent power producer, said it has hired Goldman, Sachs &Co. as an advisor in its previously announced intention to sell thecompany.

CMS Energy moved a step closer to its liquefied natural gas(LNG) goals last week as its energy marketing arm, CMS Marketing,Services and Trading, (CMS-MST) purchased three LNG shipments fromRas Laffin LNG Co. Limited (Rasgas) in Qatar. The three cargoes,carrying a combined 8.1 Bcf, will be delivered in November andDecember of this year and in February of 2000 to CMS’ LNG complexin Lake Charles, LA, then fed into CMS Trunkline’s interstatepipeline system. The overall cost for the shipments was notreleased.

CMS Energy moved a step closer to its liquefied natural gas(LNG) goals yesterday, as its energy marketing arm, CMS Marketing,Services and Trading, (CMS-MST) purchased three LNG shipments fromRas Laffin LNG Co. Limited (Rasgas) in Qatar. The three cargoes,carrying a combined 8.1 Bcf, will be delivered in November andDecember of this year and in February of 2000 to CMS’ LNG complexin Lake Charles, LA, then fed into CMS Trunkline’s interstatepipeline system. The overall cost for the shipments was notreleased.

U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ChairmanFrank Murkowski (R-AK) is planning to take a closer look at thepotential impact on his home state and on the West Coast of theproposed merger of BP Amoco and Atlantic Richfield Co. Thecommittee has scheduled a hearing on June 24 at 9 a.m. to reviewthe merger. BP Amoco-Arco would hold 75% of the Alaska North Slopeoil fields and a similar share of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.It also would have control over 90% of the crude oil delivered tothe West Coast. Its property holdings in Alaska would far exceedthe maximum allowed by state law, although the companies said theyplan to divest some of their leases. The merger would create thelargest oil producer in the U.S. and the world’s second-largestpublicly traded oil firm, with a market capitalization of about$200 billion.

A House Commerce subcommittee hearing last week revealed thatlawmakers aren’t much closer to agreement on the tough,controversial issues associated with restructuring of the powerindustry than they were a year ago.

A House Commerce subcommittee hearing yesterday revealed thatlawmakers aren’t much closer to agreement on the tough,controversial issues associated with restructuring of the powerindustry than they were a year ago.

Texas moved a step closer to a restructured electricitymarketplace last week when the state Senate approved a bill toderegulate electric utilities. The bill is now bound for the StateAffairs Committee of the House of Representatives. Hearings couldbe held as early as March 29. Gov. George W. Bush has voiced hissupport for electric deregulation.

Texas moved a step closer to a restructured electricitymarketplace Wednesday when the state Senate approved a bill toderegulate electric utilities. The bill is now bound for the StateAffairs Committee of the House of Representatives. Hearings couldbe held as early as March 29. Gov. George W. Bush has voiced hissupport for electric deregulation.

Moving one step closer to bringing 1.325 Bcf/d of gas fromWestern Canada to Chicago, Alliance Pipeline last week announcedthe start of construction with the clearing of 410 miles offorested rights-of-way for mainlines and laterals in northwesternAlberta and northeastern British Columbia. The entire system isexpected to be completed and in service by October, 2000. Alliancesaid it already has commitments from 37 shippers for 15-yearcontracts worth a total of $8.2 billion. Agreements have beenreached with 93% of landowners along its 2,320-mile route acrossCanada and the United States, while time to complete the NEBproceedings has been built into the construction schedule.