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Just back from recess, Democrats in the House of Representatives last week continued to round up support for a discharge petition that would force consideration of energy price-cap legislation on to the House floor. The Democrats now need less than 60 signatures from lawmakers in order to move the price-cap bill sponsored by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA), directly to the House floor.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given another speedy go-ahead to a natural gas pipeline expansion that will serve the capacity-strained California market, as well as southwestern region — a 230 MMcf/d looping of El Paso Natural Gas’ South System that’s expected to be in operation by Aug. 31 of this year.

FERC has given the green light to Trunkline Gas to abandon a720-mile segment of its mainline natural gas transmission line inthe Midwest region to affiliate CMS Trunkline Pipeline HoldingsInc. and partners for conversion to a refined products pipeline.

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL) was given thegreen light last week by FERC to sell its interests in 181 miles ofoffshore laterals to Green Canyon Pipe Line Co., and 40 miles ofoffshore laterals to East Breaks Gathering Co. L.L.C.

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL) has been giventhe green light by FERC to sell its interests in 181 miles ofoffshore laterals to Green Canyon Pipe Line Co., and another 40miles of offshore laterals to East Breaks Gathering Co. LLC.

El Paso Natural Gas “is willing to expand its system” to the California border if “sufficient support” for such a project can be demonstrated through long-term capacity contracts, the pipeline told FERC last week.

FERC has given Southern California Edison until noon today (PST)to pay the California Power Exchange (Cal-PX) for its bulkelectricity purchases, which is the deadline by which the Cal-PXmust pay its creditors.

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved orders forDearborn, MI-based CMS Energy Corp. that authorize securitizationof $469 million in stranded electric utility costs, expand the gascustomer choice program and authorize accounting changes tomitigate future increases in the cost of natural gas.

Chevron Corp.’s proposal to acquire Texaco Inc. for $35.7billion in stock, if given the green light by federal regulators,would put the merged company into the “Super Major League” ofproducers worldwide and domestically. In the United States alone,it would become the third largest natural gas and oil producer.