Demise

Energy infrastructure dominoes that may fall in Texas in the wake of a series of stiffer environmental rules could start with the demise of old natural gas-fired generation plants, according to a report by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released last Wednesday. The study concluded that coal-fired generation in the state is likely to see few, if any, plant retirements from stiffer federal water, air and coal regulations.

Energy infrastructure dominoes that may fall in Texas in the wake of a series of stiffer environmental rules could start with the demise of old natural gas-fired generation plants, according to an ERCOT report released Wednesday. The study concluded that coal-fired generation in the state is likely to see few, if any, plant retirements from stiffer federal water, air and coal regulations.

In the wake of a liquidation bankruptcy filing by Houston-based NorthernStar Natural Gas and the demise of its Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) project along the Columbia River in Oregon, executives at two remaining LNG projects in the state told NGI earlier in May that the free-spending Texas company had a problematic site and took a questionable approach to trying to get it permitted.

In the wake of a liquidation bankruptcy filing by Houston-based NorthernStar Natural Gas and the demise of its Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) project along the Columbia River in Oregon (see Daily GPI, May 12; May 6), executives at two remaining LNG projects in the state told NGI Friday that the free-spending Texas company had a problematic site and took a questionable approach to trying to get it permitted.

After a tumultuous week that saw wide price swings in both directions, significant heat, the coming and going of a tropical storm and the demise of a prominent hedge fund, September natural gas futures on Friday took a much deserved rest, trading within a slim 22-cent range before settling at $7.246, down 4.6 cents on the day and 6.2 cents lower than the previous week’s finish.

To borrow from Mark Twain, rumors of the futures uptrend’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. One day ahead of expiration, November futures reversed course from Monday’s decline on speculation that Thursday morning might see a significantly lower injection than anticipated. The prompt month posted a 51.2-cent jump to settle at $8.402.

To borrow from Mark Twain, rumors of the futures uptrend’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. One day ahead of expiration, November futures reversed course from Monday’s decline on speculation that Thursday morning might see a significantly lower injection than anticipated. The prompt month posted a 51.2-cent jump to settle at $8.402.

Former Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth Lay will not receive his requested mid-September trial date. However, the Houston judge presiding over the case said he will likely decide by early October whether Lay will be tried with his alleged co-conspirators, ex-CEO Jeffrey Skilling and former chief accountant Richard Causey.

“Not with a bang, but a whimper” best describes the Senate demise of possible energy legislation this year. The vote was 94 to one Monday night to refuse to bring to a vote a diluted version of energy legislation passed earlier this year in the House.