Department

FuelCell Energy Inc. (FCE) was selected by the U.S. Departmentof Energy for a $3.125 million program to support the design of anultra-high efficiency, fuel cell/turbine hybrid power plant basedon the company’s Direct FuelCell (DFC). The system would combinethe FCE’s non-pressurized Direct FuelCell with a non-combustionturbine. The program includes development of a high-utilizationfuel cell and key system components, a sub-scale test of aDFC/turbine hybrid system and the conceptual design of a 40 MWpower plant.

Enron launched EnronCredit.com, a global online creditdepartment to provide live credit prices and enablebusiness-to-business customers to hedge credit exposure instantlyvia the Internet. EnronCredit.com helps businesses evaluate thecredit quality of their customers in real time and, beginning March8, will allow them to transact in bankruptcy swaps via Enron’sglobal Internet-based transaction system, EnronOnline.

If a new study under way by the Department of Energy (DOE) showsmore natural gas pipelines are needed to the Northeast, SecretaryBill Richardson said he will go to Congress to promote the pipes tohelp reduce the region’s historic dependence on higher-pricedheating oil.

A new Department of Energy (DOE) report is expected to show morenatural gas pipelines are needed to the Northeast. Secretary BillRichardson earlier this week pledged to seek Congressional help inthis area in order to reduce the region’s historic dependence onhigher-priced heating oil.

The Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service(MMS) announced a continuation of the Outer Continental Shelfroyalty-in-kind (RIK) pilot program last week and has doubled theamount of gas previously offered. Nearly 500 MMcf/d of productionwill go on sale this spring, the MMS said. Details for the sale arestill being finalized.

The Department of the Interior’s Mineral Management Service(MMS) announced a continuation of the Outer Continental Shelfportion of its royalty-in-kind (RIK) pilot program Tuesday and hasdoubled the amount of gas previously offered. The nearly 500 MMcf/dof production will go on sale this spring, the MMS said. Detailsfor the sale are still being finalized.

Hungry Northeast utility giant Energy East said ConnecticutDepartment of Public Utility Control approved its merger withConnecticut Natural Gas parent CTG Resources yesterday. Thecompanies are awaiting Securities and Exchange Commission approvalunder the Public Utility Holding Company Act, which is expected byJune 2000. CTG shareholders overwhelmingly approved the merger onOct. 18.

The role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the U.S. gas supplymix continues to grow as 1999’s third quarter saw a significantpercentage jump in LNG imports. According to the U.S. Department ofEnergy’s Office of Natural Gas & Petroleum Import and ExportActivities, total gas imports grew by 15% over the third quarter of1998 while LNG imports were up a strong 221% over the same period.A 10% rise in Canadian imports and a 154% rise in Mexican importswere also noted. At the same time, U.S. exports of gas to Mexicogrew by 41%.

The Gas Industry Standards Board (GISB) will facilitate ameeting to be held at the Department of Energy (DOE) Jan. 26 on theneed for an organization to develop retail standards for the gasand electric industries. The meeting, to be held at DOE’s ForrestalBuilding, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, will begin at 8:30 a.m.Robert W. Gee, assistant secretary for fossil energy, will open themeeting. Representatives of companies and trade associations in thegas and electric industries, as well as interested individuals, areinvited.