Columbia

In an unusual move Thursday, FERC issued a lengthy press release laying out in exceptionally extensive detail all of its actions, investigations and consultations in its preparation of draft environmental impact statements (DEIS) issued for Columbia Pipeline Group’s Leach XPress and Rayne XPress expansion projects.

In an unusual move Thursday, FERC issued a lengthy press release laying out in exceptionally extensive detail all of its actions, investigations and consultations in its preparation of draft environmental impact statements (DEIS) issued for Columbia Pipeline Group’s Leach XPress and Rayne XPress expansion projects.

NiSource Inc. subsidiary Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania has filed another request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for an annual revenue increase of $55 million to fund continuing upgrades of its underground distribution infrastructure and training for pipeline safety and regulatory compliance.

Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. late Thursday said it agreed to pay $13 billion to buy Columbia Pipeline Group Inc. (CPG) in a deal that would connect some of the most prolific natural gas supply basins in North America.

Calgary, Alberta-based TransCanada Corp. said Thursday it was in discussions with a third party on a “potential transaction” but no agreement has been reached, reacting to reports in financial news media that it is eyeing a deal with Houston-based Columbia Pipeline Group Inc. Some reports on Thursday speculated that talks had hit a standstill.

FERC has approved construction of Columbia Gas Transmission LLC’s Utica Access Project for in-service during the fourth quarter. And separately, Columbia Gas has applied at the Commission to construct its WB XPress Project in West Virginia and Virginia.

The state of Alaska extended its cooperation agreement with Japan-based consortium Resources Energy Inc. (REI) to develop Cook Inlet natural gas (see Daily GPI,Dec. 29, 2014). The agreement extension comes three months after Gov. Bill Walker met with more than 25 companies and government agencies, including the prefectures of Kyoto and Hyogo, during an international liquefied natural gas (LNG) conference in Tokyo, where he told more than a thousand attendees of the Alaskan LNG opportunity (see Daily GPI,Sept. 23). The agreement, which was extended two years to Dec. 14, 2017, encourages the development of Cook Inlet natural gas to provide Alaskans low-cost energy while also supplying Japanese consumers. “The world market will certainly benefit from Alaska’s rich natural gas reserves, but my No. 1 priority is ensuring that we work toward affordable energy for Alaskan families and businesses.” Walker said. “Extending this agreement with REI shows Japanese consumers that Alaska is committed to exporting liquefied natural gas.”

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved a settlement that cuts Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania’s annual revenue increase request by 39%, leaving part of its infrastructure and safety upgrade plans to be decided in separate proceedings.

FERC staff will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Columbia Pipeline Group Inc.’s proposed Mountaineer XPress natural gas pipeline project.