Distribution

High-linepack OFOs by both of California’s major transmission/distribution systems (see Transportation Notes) sent price tremors throughout the West Thursday, with nearly all regional points down by as much as about 20 cents. In the East, quotes were mixed fairly closely to either side of flat, although a few Midcontinent pipes fell by as much as a dime or so.

Following much bigger gas cost rate changes in the two previous years, Intermountain Gas, a natural gas distribution company in southern Idaho, has asked state regulators for a $22.1 million, or 10%, boost in rates, effective July 1. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has asked for comments on the annual purchased gas adjustment (PGA) by June 11.

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. in Buffalo, NY, responding to FERC’s request for comments on reporting of natural gas and power prices to index developers, said it would like to see some of the information the Commission has collected in its two surveys of industry sales/purchasing and reporting practices (PL03-3).

Trade groups representing major producers and local distribution companies (LDC) have called on FERC to give industry more time to reach a consensus on the hot-button issues involving the energy content of the domestic gas stream and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), but they did not say how much time would be needed.

Trade groups representing major producers and local distribution companies (LDC) have called on FERC to give industry more time to reach a consensus on the hot-button issues involving the energy content of the domestic gas stream and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), but they did not say how much more time would be needed.

Michael Morris, who came up through the ranks of gas pipeline and distribution companies, will be taking over as president and CEO of American Electric Power (AEP) the first of next year. Morris, 57, currently chairman, president and CEO at Northeast Utilities System, will succeed E. Linn Draper, who announced in April 2003 that he intended to retire in 2004. Morris will also succeed Draper as AEP chairman upon Draper’s retirement from that position on or before April 27, 2004. Morris has served in his current role at Northeast Utilities since 1997. Previously Morris was president and CEO of Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, and president of CMS Marketing, Services and Trading. He also had served as president of Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG) and as executive vice president of marketing, transportation and gas supply for ANR Pipeline. Morris also founded and served as president of ANR Gathering Co., one of the first gas marketing companies in the U.S. Northeast Utilities said that its board of trustees would meet on Tuesday to name interim leadership at the New England-based power company.

Following a request by its staff, the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) has begun an investigation into the sale and distribution of natural gas and electricity in the state by entities that may not be certified.

While supplier choice is catching on across the land, Edinburg,TX, Pop. 29,885, is suing its local distribution company forproviding transportation-only service to large end-users.

The widespread blast of Arctic cold put a strain on natural gas and electricity distribution across the eastern third of the United States last week as consumers cranked up their heat to counteract single-digit temperatures in many locations. Utilities as far south as Florida, where temperatures dipped to the lowest level in more than a decade, warned consumers to take precautions and conserve energy as delivery systems were tested and old records were broken for gas and power sendout.