Deregulation

Despite exorbitant price spikes in natural gas and deregulation setbacks in various markets around the country, a new study released by the American Gas Association (AGA) revealed that an increasing number of small businesses and other commercial customers are purchasing their natural gas supplies from someone other than the local utility, continuing the evolution of competition in the natural gas industry.

Despite exorbitant price spikes in natural gas and deregulation setbacks in various markets around the country, a new study released by the American Gas Association (AGA) revealed that an increasing number of small businesses and other commercial customers are purchasing their natural gas supplies from someone other than the local utility, continuing the evolution of competition in the natural gas industry.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), on track to begin its pilot deregulation program in 5% of the state June 1, issued a progress report to the Texas Public Utility Commission this week, reporting that it now is finalizing megawatt registrations for generators that will serve the state. Conversion remains on schedule for the pilot, with transition to a fully deregulated market by January 2002.

As it moves closer to statewide deregulation, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) is finalizing permanent rules that will govern retail access to competitive energy services for both the electric and natural gas industries. The SCC is calling for public comment on the proposed rules, which take effect Jan. 1, 2002.

As it moves closer to statewide deregulation, the Virginia StateCorporation Commission (SCC) is finalizing permanent rules thatwill govern retail access to competitive energy services for boththe electric and natural gas industries. The SCC is calling forpublic comment on the proposed rules, which take effect Jan. 1,2002.

As the nation continues to creep warily forward into natural gasand electricity deregulation on all fronts, Cinergy Corp.understands that in order to take advantage of the full potentialof its companies it must change as well. The company announcedyesterday that it is embracing a new organizational structure thatwill increase the autonomy of its subsidiaries and focus on thegrowing importance of non-regulated markets.

As the nation continues to creep warily forward into natural gasand electricity deregulation on all fronts, Cinergy Corp.understands that in order to take advantage of the full potentialof its companies it must change as well. The company announcedyesterday that it is embracing a new organizational structure thatwill increase the autonomy of its subsidiaries and focus on thegrowing importance of non-regulated markets.

With or without deregulation, the impact of rising energy costswill increase the demand for Enron’s growing product base,especially in its services area, offering even more leverage forNorth America’s largest wholesale marketer. Lou Pai, CEO of EnronEnergy Services LLC, provided an overview of his division at theannual investor’s conference last Thursday in Houston, calling theopportunities for growth are tremendous.

The focal point of California’s and various other state energyderegulation plans — nonutility retail energy service providers— has been all but forgotten in the rounds of legal, regulatoryand political battles that have fallen out of skyrocketingwholesale natural gas and electricity prices this year. Althoughthe focal point of the angst has been California, the energyentrepreneurs are feeling the pinch at the retail level elsewhere,too.