Exists

A less than 20% chance exists that this winter will be warm enough to cause U.S. natural gas prices to fall significantly below $4.50/Mcf, and more likely a 30% chance that prices will spike even higher than an expected average of $4.50-$6.50/Mcf, Raymond James analysts noted in the latest “Stat of the Week.”

To remedy the financial turmoil that exists for U.S. energy merchants still operating, an analyst with Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) suggested Thursday that they should consider relying more on “trading around their assets” by hedging and other risk-management activities.

To remedy the financial turmoil that exists for U.S. energy merchants still operating, an analyst with Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) suggested Thursday that they should consider relying more on “trading around their assets” by hedging and other risk-management activities.

The Georgia Public Service Commission concluded Atlanta GasLight Co.’s historic rate case, opening its statewide gasdistribution system to marketers. The PSC approved a customereducation program for one year and procedures for Atlanta Gas Lightto follow when sharing information with gas marketers about thecompany’s nearly 1.5 million customers. The PSC also orderedAtlanta Gas Light to cut rates by $6 million. The reduction is inaddition to a $7 million rate cut ordered in June.