Divided

Natural gas trade associations are divided over recommendations in a Senate Republican policy paper that call on Congress in the next session to terminate open-access requirements and introduce market pricing for natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, as well as reduce the regulatory confusion between states and the federal government and speed up capital cost recovery of energy investments.

With only two regularly scheduled meetings left before their six-year terms expire, two entrenched and embittered California regulators are not leaving quietly. This Thursday’s meeting is expected to see a continuation of the series of bitterly contested 3-2 splits with their three newer colleagues as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wades through an agenda full of potentially controversial energy items.

Natural gas trade associations are divided over recommendations in a Senate Republican policy paper that call on Congress in the next session to terminate open-access requirements and introduce market pricing for natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, as well as reduce the regulatory confusion between states and the federal government and speed up capital cost recovery of energy investments.

With only two regularly scheduled meetings left before their six-year terms expire, two entrenched and embittered California regulators are not leaving quietly. This Thursday’s meeting is expected to see a continuation of the series of bitterly contested 3-2 splits with their three newer colleagues as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wades through an agenda full of potentially controversial energy items.

Key industry groups are divided over whether FERC should grant “blanket” market-based rate authority to independent storage developers to encourage the growth of more natural gas storage. But they all agree that if the Commission relaxes its market power test for new independent storage facilities, it should require greater accountability from them to shield customers from potential abuses.

Key industry groups are divided over whether FERC should grant “blanket” market-based rate authority to independent storage developers to encourage the growth of more natural gas storage. But they all agree that if the Commission relaxes its market power test for new independent storage facilities, it should require greater accountability from them to shield customers from potential abuses.

Key industry groups are divided over whether FERC should grant “blanket” market-based rate authority to independent storage developers to encourage the growth of more natural gas storage. But they all agree that if the Commission relaxes its market power test for new independent storage facilities, it should require greater accountability from them to shield customers from potential abuses.

The sharply divided California Public Utilities Commission Thursday approved the accounting steps Pacific Gas and Electric Co. needs to put its reorganization plan in effect for its scheduled April 12 exit from three years in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The five-member CPUC’s vote was 3-0 with two dissenting members abstaining.

As on the preceding Friday, price movement divided roughly on geographical lines again Monday. But this time it was western points seeing mostly strength, while the East turned in a mixed performance with only few points varying much more than a nickel up or down from flat.