Departure

It’s too soon to tell whether Dynegy Corp.’s proposed merger with Enron Corp. will be approved by federal regulators, but the most critical problem may not be how big the two companies’ trading power will be, but how much Enron’s shrinks over the next few months, noted analysts on Thursday. If Enron regains and retains the number one position it held just weeks ago, federal approval may be questionable; if Enron’s market share is diluted, the merger may stand a better chance of succeeding.

The departure of Sen. James Jeffords from the Republican Party, declining natural gas prices and the absence of hot weather are beginning to ripple throughout the energy industry, with many of the leading energy stocks dipping lower last week and creating an “increasingly selective” investing environment, said Merrill Lynch analyst Donato J. Eassey Thursday.

The departure of Sen. James Jeffords from the Republican Party, declining natural gas prices and the absence of hot weather are beginning to ripple throughout the energy industry, with many of the leading energy stocks dipping lower last week and creating an “increasingly selective” investing environment, said Merrill Lynch analyst Donato J. Eassey Thursday.

Columbia Energy Group is looking for a new executive to head itsColumbia Energy Services after the departure of CES President PaulFeldman. An announcement Friday said Feldman would be leaving topursue other opportunities. “Our CES operation has grownconsiderably over the last two years under Paul’s leadership,” saidColumbia Energy Group Chairman Oliver G. Richard III. “We thank himfor his contributions and wish him well.”

Cinergy Corp. is reorganizing its power and gas tradingoperations in the wake of former President J. Wayne Leonard’sdeparture to Entergy Corp. Cinergy has named Madeleine W. Ludlow,currently vice president and chief financial officer, to be the newpresident of Cinergy Capital and Trading and announced Michael J.Cyrus, an executive with Electric Clearinghouse, will becomeexecutive vice president, overseeing power trading operations.