NorthWestern Energy said the Montana Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a stipulated agreement with the Montana Consumer Counsel (MCC) to settle the utility’s pending electricity and natural gas rate cases. The agreement resulted in a rate increase of about 2%, which has been in effect on an interim basis since Jan. 1. Last December NorthWestern announced the proposed settlement with the MCC, which included a $10 million annual increase in electric delivery rates, and an increase in natural gas delivery rates of $5 million annually. As part of the agreement, NorthWestern will provide 21 MW of unit-contingent power from Colstrip Unit 4 at $19/MWh below the Mid-C index price for a period of 78 months. NorthWestern will also make capital investments in 2008 and 2009 to improve and upgrade the existing electric transmission and distribution system. The company said it will recover this investment in rates over time but will not earn a rate of return on $38.8 million of the total investment. Under the terms of the agreement, NorthWestern will file another rate case in 2009. NorthWestern provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 650,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.
Counsel
Articles from Counsel
Maryland OPC Seeks Further FERC Review of WGL Leak Case
The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) is seeking review of a FERC order upholding the agency’s prior approval of an expansion of Dominion Cove Point LNG LP’s terminal in Calvert County, MD, and pipeline system. FERC cleared the project despite claims by Washington Gas Light Co. (WGL) that LNG-sourced natural gas from the terminal caused widespread leaks on its distribution system in Prince George’s County, MD, in 2005.
Maryland OPC Seeks Further FERC Review of WGL Leak Case
The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) is seeking review of a FERC order upholding the agency’s prior approval of an expansion of Dominion Cove Point LNG LP’s terminal in Calvert County, MD, and pipeline system. FERC cleared the project despite claims by Washington Gas Light Co. (WGL) that LNG-sourced natural gas from the terminal caused widespread leaks on its distribution system in Prince George’s County, MD, in 2005.
Shell Hires Former Interior Secretary Norton
Royal Dutch Shell said Wednesday that it has hired former U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton as general counsel for Shell Exploration and Production’s unconventional resources division. Norton, who stepped down as Interior secretary in March, will provide and coordinate legal services for Shell starting in mid January, the company said.
Columbia Gas of Ohio Calls OCC Rate Auction Request Premature
Citing the recent “success” of the Dominion East Ohio rate auction in August, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said it has recommended that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) implement a wholesale auction in spring 2007 to achieve lower natural gas rates for customers of Columbia Gas of Ohio. However, Columbia said it is nowhere near sold on the idea.
Columbia Gas of Ohio Calls OCC Rate Auction Request Premature
Citing the recent “success” of the Dominion East Ohio rate auction in August, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said Wednesday it has recommended that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) implement a wholesale auction in spring 2007 to achieve lower natural gas rates for customers of Columbia Gas of Ohio. For its part, Columbia Gas of Ohio said it is nowhere near sold on the idea.
PUCO Approves Dominion East Ohio Auction Results
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) late last month approved the results of the recent Dominion East Ohio auction and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said the winning bid “most likely will benefit consumers over the next 23 months.”
PUCO Approves Dominion East Ohio Auction Results
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on Wednesday approved the results of the Dominion East Ohio auction on Tuesday, and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said the winning bid “most likely will benefit consumers over the next 23 months.”
Lay Expected to Take the Fifth Today
On the advice of counsel, former Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth Lay will exercise his Fifth Amendment right not to testify before a Senate hearing today, his spokeswoman said Sunday. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee subpoenaed Lay last week after he decided not to voluntarily testify before a subcommittee hearing investigating Enron’s bankruptcy.
FERC Enforcement Section Calls for Further Probe of El Paso
In what it even admits is an “unusual” move, the FERC Office of General Counsel’s Market Oversight and Enforcement Section (MOE) has called for a “more complete investigation” into whether El Paso Natural Gas violated the Commission’s open-access regulations by refusing to provide interruptible transportation (IT) service last winter to customers in an attempt to maintain “upward pressure” on prices for natural gas delivered to the Southern California border.
