Competition

After Alaska’s governor balked at a move by BP Amoco to pushconsideration of its ARCO acquisition through the Federal TradeCommission, the company has backed off and pledged to address thestate’s anti-competitive concerns. Discussions between the companyand Alaska were ongoing last week.

One year after opening its entire Ohio territory to retail gassupplier competition, Columbia Gas of Ohio said nearly 500,000customers, or about one-third of those eligible, are buying gasfrom marketers rather than the utility. Columbia serves 1.3 millioncustomers in the state.

One year after opening its entire Ohio territory to retail gassupplier competition, Columbia Gas of Ohio said nearly 500,000customers, or about one-third of those eligible, are buying gasfrom marketers rather than the utility. Columbia serves 1.3 millioncustomers in the state.

The first fruit has fallen from the new Canadian tree ofcompetition among natural gas transporters, as TransCanadaPipeLines prepares to auction spare capacity that is developing onits system.

The first fruit has fallen from the new Canadian tree ofcompetition among natural gas transporters, as TransCanadaPipeLines prepares to auction spare capacity that is developing onits system.

When the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act was signed by Gov. Tom Ridge last week, the foundation was laid for Pennsylvania’s gas customers to have gas supplier choice for the upcoming winter (See related story this issue). The question now is will other northeastern states follow Pennsylvania’s lead.

When the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act was signed byGov. Tom Ridge earlier this week, the foundation was laid forPennsylvania’s gas customers to have gas supplier choice for theupcoming winter. The question now is will other northeastern statesfollow Pennsylvania’s lead.

Senate Bill 7, legislation requiring electricity marketcompetition in Texas as of Jan. 1, 2002, passed the state SenateFriday, leaving the Governor’s signature as the missing piece ofthe puzzle before the bill becomes law. Governor George W. Bush hasnot said when he will sign the Sen. David Sibley (R-Waco)-sponsoredbill, but has voiced his support.

One year into electric deregulation, the benefits promisedconsumers by the California legislature have failed to materialize,making monopoly utilities the primary winners in the state’sderegulation game, according to San Francisco-based TURN, TheUtility Reform Network.