Establishing

Echoing what many states in the West are establishing as energy and environmental goals, British Columbia Wednesday unveiled a provincial energy plan seeking zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and acquiring at least half of incremental power supplies through conservation programs. “BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership” is designed to make the westernmost Canadian province a leader in developing clean energy.

Establishing itself as one of the largest natural gas storage operators in North America, TransCanada Corp. said late last week that the company and its TC Pipelines partnership have closed on the previously announced US$4.135 billion acquisition of El Paso Corp.’s ANR Pipeline Co., its Michigan storage assets, and its 50% interest in Great Lakes Gas Transmission. El Paso said the sale, which was first announced in late December (see NGI, Dec. 25, 2006), includes the assumption of US$744 million of debt as of Dec. 31, 2006, US$269 million of which has been retired.

Establishing itself as one of the largest natural gas storage operators in North America, TransCanada Corp. said Thursday that the company and its TC Pipelines partnership have closed on the previously announced US$4.135 billion acquisition of El Paso Corp.’s ANR Pipeline Co., its Michigan storage assets, and its 50% interest in Great Lakes Gas Transmission. El Paso said the sale, which was first announced in late December (see Daily GPI, Dec. 26, 2006), includes the assumption of US$744 million of debt as of Dec. 31, 2006, US$269 million of which has been retired.

Establishing a fair return on equity (ROE) formula for interstate pipelines will continue to be a critical natural gas issue for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the months ahead, said new Commissioner Marc Spitzer last Tuesday.

Establishing a fair return on equity (ROE) formula for interstate pipelines will continue to be a critical natural gas issue for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the months ahead, said new Commissioner Marc Spitzer Tuesday.

California regulators Thursday approved a sweeping set of rules for natural gas transmission and storage operations throughout the state, along with establishing a process for resolving the emerging issue of regulating gas quality and heating value from the expected influx of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports into the state. The 5-0 action by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rejected recommendations for delay by an administrative law judge (ALJ).

California’s legislature Thursday put the final exclamation point on the state’s far-reaching move establishing the toughest standards in the nation in an attempt to turn back the clock on greenhouse gas (GHG), or global warming, emissions, passing mandatory reporting and emission limits for electric generation plants, refineries and other major industries (AB 32), along with a ban on adding any new power generation or supply contracts tied to traditional coal-fired power generation (SB 1368).

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is reopening the public comment period on a petition from the City of Fall River, MA, asking for regulations establishing thermal and vapor dispersion exclusion zones for marine spills of liquefied natural gas (LNG), similar to Department of Transportation regulations for such spills on land.

Tidelands Oil & Gas Corp. took another regulatory step in establishing its ambitious gas pipeline, storage and liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in northeastern Mexico. After filing an application for part of its proposed pipeline system with Mexican authorities last month, the company submitted applications for additional pipeline permits on Thursday with the Texas Railroad Commission.