Generally

WSI Corp. released a winter weather forecast on Monday that is bearish for natural gas prices in December when warmer temperatures are expected across most of the nation except for the North Central region.

WSI Corp. released a winter weather forecast on Monday that is bearish for natural gas prices in December when warmer temperatures are expected across most of the nation except for the North Central region.

The cash market rebounded by generally moderate amounts at most points Monday. The gains were attributed to heating load in northern market areas, the return of industrial demand from its usual weekend slump, and to some degree on working off imbalances accrued over the weekend.

The cash market rebounded by generally moderate amounts at most points Monday. The gains were attributed to heating load in northern market areas, the return of industrial demand from its usual weekend slump, and to some degree on working off imbalances accrued over the weekend.

While the energy industry generally applauded the re-election of President Bush, seeing it as favorable for energy projects, large and small, others focused more on Capitol Hill, pointing to the increased majorities racked up for Republicans in both the Senate and House of Representatives, bolstering the chances that comprehensive energy legislation will get through Congress next year.

Although heating load was growing a bit Tuesday as colder temperatures spread farther south in the West and farther east into the Midwest and Midcontinent, prices were unable to sustain Monday’s big gains. Instead, the market fell at nearly all points Tuesday by mostly moderate amounts ranging from a couple of pennies to nearly 30 cents.

Although heating load was growing a bit Tuesday as colder temperatures spread farther south in the West and farther east into the Midwest and Midcontinent, prices were unable to sustain Monday’s big gains. Instead, the market fell at nearly all points Tuesday by mostly moderate amounts ranging from a couple of pennies to nearly 30 cents.

Average peak load in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) control area is generally averaging 6% higher in 2004 than in 2003, Energy Security Analysis Inc. (ESAI) said in the latest edition of the WECC [Western Electricity Coordinating Council] Energy Watch.

As anticipated, the combination of generally mild weather forecasts, lower load over a weekend and the previous day’s weakness in energy futures caused prices to range from flat to less than a dime lower at a majority of points Friday. However, decreases of more than a dime were clustered in the West, where a heat wave earlier in the week continued to abate.