Decidedly

Wisconsin seems caught right in the middle of current economic woes — not as well off as some Upper Midwest states, but decidedly better off than Michigan, its neighbor across the Great Lakes — and Wisconsin Energy Corp. (WEC) sees continuing signs of slow recovery of the industrial sector, according to CEO Gale Klappa.

Decidedly low-tech compared to the real-time electric grid system, natural gas nevertheless is due for a smartness upgrade in its usually mechanically based infrastructure. From increased uses as a transportation fuel to higher-tech approaches to exploration and production (E&P) in the oil/gas patch, the latest natural gas technological push has been boosted by the burgeoning shale gas sector.

Decidedly low-tech compared to the real-time electric grid system, natural gas nevertheless is due for a smartness upgrade in its usually mechanically based infrastructure. From increased uses as a transportation fuel to higher-tech approaches to exploration and production (E&P) in the oil/gas patch, the latest natural gas technological push has been boosted by the burgeoning shale gas sector.

Decidedly low-tech compared to the real-time electric grid system, natural gas nevertheless is due for a smartness upgrade in its usually mechanically based infrastructure. From increased uses as a transportation fuel to higher-tech approaches to exploration and production (E&P) in the oil/gas patch, the latest natural gas technological push has been boosted by the burgeoning shale gas sector.

Many near-flat numbers were involved in a market that was mildly higher in much of the East but decidedly softer in the West Wednesday. Hot weather will remain through Thursday in much of the southern half of the U.S., but cool to mild temperatures will continue to prevail in much of North America.

With global wholesale natural gas prices decidedly volatile but much lower since mid-year, the reaction among a trio of western utilities is just as volatile. Portland, OR-based Northwest Natural Gas Co. has costs going down and retail rates up; Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities has lowered even further a previously filed decrease; and Xcel Energy’s Texas utility is lowering rates only until after the first of the new year.

The National Governors Association (NGA) hit the nation’s capital the last weekend in February with a decidedly green tint to their proceedings, and the western governors’ branch of the national association announced a new push for alternative energy development and more fuel efficiency. NGA’s winter meeting kicked off with its chairman, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, emphasizing an initiative he calls Securing a Clean Energy Future (SCEF).

The National Governors Association (NGA) hit the nation’s capital over the weekend with a decidedly green tint to their proceedings, and the western governors’ branch of the national association announced a new push for alternative energy development and more fuel efficiency. NGA’s winter meeting kicked off with its chairman, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, emphasizing an initiative he calls Securing a Clean Energy Future (SCEF).

It was close to a tie, but losses appeared to slightly outweigh gains in a decidedly mixed cash market Tuesday. There were quite a few flat points also. Moderate eastern weather and bearish storage issues continued to dog the market, while prices got some support from cold and snowy conditions in parts of the West and central U.S. and a nickel rise in February futures on the preceding Friday.