Companies

If the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality slows downthe permit approval process for companies eager to begin coal bedmethane projects in the state, the largest producers already thereare expected to have no trouble meeting their drilling schedulesthrough at least the first quarter of 2001. Anticipating thehearings, many had already moved proposed drilling projects for2001 through the regulatory process.

Despite warnings to companies that it was slowing the process togrant water discharge permits for coalbed methane projects, theWyoming Department of Environmental Quality has issued four waterdischarge permits for Pennaco Energy Co.’s House Creek Project. Allwere approved following a 30-day public notice period.

If the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality slows downthe permit approval process for companies eager to begin coal bedmethane projects in the state, the largest producers already thereare expected to have no trouble meeting their drilling schedulesthrough at least the first quarter of 2001. Anticipating thehearings, many had already moved proposed drilling projects for2001 through the regulatory process.

The industry-friendly Texas Railroad Commission would do abetter job of determining the fees the energy companies pay intothe state’s Oilfield Cleanup Fund — but it needs to beef up itsrole in regulating pipelines — according to a report by the TexasSunset Advisory Commission. Some of the criticisms noted areexpected to be corrected in pending proposals at TRC.

Carolina Power and Light Energy (CP&L) realized its goallast week of becoming one of the 10 largest energy companies in thenation as its acquisition of Florida Progress Corp. (FPC) receivedthe final regulatory approval it needed from the Securities andExchange Commission.

The industry-friendly Texas Railroad Commission would do abetter job of determining the fees the energy companies pay intothe state’s Oilfield Cleanup Fund — but it needs to beef up itsrole in regulating pipelines — according to a report by the TexasSunset Advisory Commission. Some of the criticisms noted areexpected to be corrected in pending proposals at TRC.

Carolina Power and Light Energy (CP&L) realized its goalMonday of becoming one of the 10 largest energy companies in thenation as its acquisition of Florida Progress Corp. (FPC) receivedthe final approval necessary from the Securities and ExchangeCommission.

Shell Energy will be selling gas to Georgia retail customersthrough Essential.com, according to a partnership the two companiesannounced yesterday. Essential.com already provides a one-stop shopfor a broad range of energy and communications services.

Skipping Stone Inc., based in Houston, has introduced e-Complete,an e-commerce development service for the energy industry that allowscompanies to establish a strategy, design an e-commerce system basedupon the strategy and launch a Web site. CEO Peter Wiegand saide-Complete is available only from Skipping Stone, which is anindependent energy consulting firm. See the Web site atwww.skippingstone.com for more information.