Fighting

Like everyone else in the United States, we at Intelligence Press are struggling to make sense of this gigantic catastrophe, which has struck at the very foundation of this nation. Our sympathy and condolences go out to those who have suffered and lost loved ones in New York, Washington and Southwest Pennsylvania. As are many others, we are making a financial contribution to the recovery process. We also offer, in our first editorial in 21 years of publishing, a way that every American can show help to show the world our confidence in and support of this country and the American way of life.

Like everyone else in the United States, we at Intelligence Press are struggling to make sense of this gigantic catastrophe which has struck at the very foundation of this nation. Our sympathy and condolences go out to those who have suffered and lost loved ones in New York, Washington and Southwest Pennsylvania. As are many others, we are making a financial contribution to the recovery process. We also offer this, our first editorial in 21 years of publishing, as support for the bruised and battered spirits of all Americans.

Tulsa-based Williams Cos. Inc. apparently is considering a bid to buy Barrett Resources Corp., the Denver-based independent producer fighting off a takeover bid by Royal Dutch/Shell Group. Williams filed information regarding its interest Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after outside individuals were inadvertently connected to a telephonic conference call of Williams board of directors.

By springtime, the little old ladies and a few congressmen who have been fighting northeastern pipeline construction tooth and nail for the past few years may be screaming “where’s the gas” if prices spike to the levels expected.

While it might think the April Fool’s date is appropriate forNew York to impose a new energy tax, the National Energy MarketersAssociation (NEM) still opposes the plan. “On April 1, 2000, NewYork will impose a new tax on natural gas and electricitytransportation. This new tax will severely limit furtherdevelopment of energy competition,” said NEM President CraigGoodman.

A group of Wisconsin landowners is seeking to join ANR Pipeline in its fight against Wisconsin Gas and its Guardian Pipeline project.

ANR Pipeline has picked up landowner support for its suitagainst the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) that chargesthe PSC unlawfully kept secret filings made by Wisconsin Gas forits competing Guardian Pipeline.

PG&E Gas Transmission Texas (PG&E GT-T), a subsidiary ofPG&E Corp., said it will appeal a judgment handed down lastweek in the 92nd district court in Hildalgo County, TX, regardingfranchise fees, even though the judge reduced the August 1998 juryverdict.

The sale of Ozark Gas Transmission to an Enogex affiliate hasbeen completed, but it remains to be seen whether the FERC willbless Enogex with the rates it seeks for an interstate pipelinecomposed of the combination of Ozark and its currentlynon-jurisdictional NOARK Pipeline.