Legislation has been introduced in the Virginia General Assemblythat would establish a framework for gas restructuring in thestate, authorizing, but not mandating, utilities to implementstatewide customer choice programs.
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Gas Restructuring Legislation on Front Burner in Virginia
Legislation has been introduced in the Virginia General Assemblythat would establish a framework for gas restructuring in thestate. Columbia Gas of Virginia, the first LDC in the state toimplement a gas supply choice program, is a main proponent of thebill, SB1105, which is being sponsored by State Sen. Charles Colgan(D-Manassas). A companion bill is being sponsored by Del. EricCantor (R-Henrico) in the House.
Eastern Markets Level Off While West Keeps Falling
An Arctic cold front spreading through the nation’s midsectionwas enough to arrest a late December slide in cash prices Tuesday,at least in Eastern markets, which tended to be flat to slightlyhigher. But except for essential flatness at Waha and the PermianBasin, most of the West fell by about a dime or more, topped by adrop of almost 30 cents at Stanfield.
Futures Slip Lower Despite Winter Weather
For the third day in a row Wednesday, natural gas futures werelower as traders continued to discount the arctic cold front andfocus on the larger fundamental picture. Even as a wintry mix ofprecipitation spread from Texas to Washington, D.C. yesterday,sources continued to point to the large storage overhang andforecasts calling for warming temperatures by early next week. Theprompt January contract finished 1.9 cents lower at $1.906.
Hebert Steps Out in Front on Gas Issues
While FERC’s regulatory gas options paper so far has been kepttightly under wraps, Commissioner Curt L. Hebert Jr. clearly is nothiding his views on some of the most important issues theCommission will face over the next few years. In an articlepublished in the Energy Law Journal, Hebert begins to tackle thequestion of how the Commission can “develop incentives that willspur the industry to act more competitively.”
Richardson Reported as Front-Runner for DOE Head
Reports swirled around Washington last week that the White Houseplans to tap Bill Richardson, U.S. Ambassador to the UnitedNations, as the next secretary of the Department of Energy, butthere was no official confirmation. If true, this would mark thesecond time Deputy Energy Secretary Elizabeth Moler, who mostconcede is best qualified for the job, has been edged out of thetop energy post.
Breathitt Sees More Competitive Short-Term Market
Standardization of short-term transportation services andmarket-based pricing for those services are front-burner issues atthe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, new Commissioner Linda K.Breathitt told Washington attorneys Thursday.