Federal

On the brink of the new millennium the Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission issued Order 2000 to take the bulk power market the nextstep toward a competitive grid with a final rule setting theparameters for independent Regional Transmission Organizations(RTOs). The vote was 4-0 with Commissioner Vicky Bailey recusingherself.

Although the Federal Trade Commission approved the sale of itscustomers to Shell Energy Services last week, Peachtree Natural Gasis not clear of problems yet, as the Georgia Public ServiceCommission (GPSC) is investigating slamming charges against theembattled marketer. GPSC Commissioner Bobby Baker said yesterday aslamming investigation is currently under way and that anywherefrom several hundred to several thousand gas customers could beaffected. There is no timeframe for the conclusion of theinvestigation.

Although the merger of Exxon and Mobil has raised the eyebrowsof at least two states, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) isexpected to vote today to approve the $81 billion deal to createone of the world’s largest energy companies. The deal includes aproposal to sell about 2,400 gas stations nationwide, and at leastConnecticut and New Hampshire are concerned. Although ConnecticutAttorney General Richard Blumenthal opposes the deal, he told theAssociated Press it is unlikely a single state could block themerger and it also is unlikely a coalition of states will form tochallenge the deal.

New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman has asked PresidentClinton to intercede on the state’s behalf to persuade the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission to postpone action on the hotlycontested MarketLink expansion project for at least 60 days.

New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman has asked PresidentClinton to intercede to convince the Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission to postpone action on the hotly contested MarketLinkexpansion project for 60 days.

A coalition of pipeline customers has called on the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission to place greater focus on reformingthe existing ratemaking process, which it contends indulgesinterstate gas pipelines at the expense of their customers. Thepipelines wasted little time in delivering a counterpunch lastMonday.

A coalition of pipeline customers has asked the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission to take steps to reform the existingratemaking process, which it contends indulges interstate gaspipelines at the expense of their customers.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week denied PublicService Co. of Colorado’s bid for a stay of the certificate orderauthorizing KN Wattenberg to construct and acquire facilities forits planned Front Runner pipeline. Some viewed this request byPublic Service, a sponsor of the rival Front Range pipeline, as anattempt to quash pipeline competition in the Front Range section ofColorado.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this week denied PublicService Co. of Colorado’s request to stay an order awarding KNWattenberg authorization to construct and acquire facilities forits planned Front Runner pipeline. Some view the request by PublicService, a sponsor of the rival Front Range pipeline, as an attemptto quash pipeline competition in the Front Range section ofColorado.