In response to last year’s repeal of the Public Utilities Holding Company Act (PUHCA), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously approved new rules governing private sector utilities and their holding companies. Action by the CPUC had been delayed or postponed for several months, but none of the affected companies objected to the action.
Governing
Articles from Governing
Producers, Marketers Seek FERC Guidance on Capacity-Release Rules
Eight natural gas producers and marketers have called on FERC to clarify its rules and policies governing capacity releases on interstate gas pipelines in light of the “more complex and multifaceted” transactions in the market now.
FERC Proposes More Coordinated Gas, Electric Markets
FERC has issued a proposed rule that seeks to improve the coordination between the natural gas and electric industries by revising the agency’s regulations governing the standards for business practices and electronic communications between the two sectors.
FERC Audits Companies’ Compliance with Gas Price Reporting Rules
FERC has begun auditing several energy companies to determine whether they are complying with the agency regulations governing the reporting of prices on natural gas trades to published indexes.
FERC Audits Companies’ Compliance with Gas Price Reporting Rules
FERC on Tuesday initiated audits of several energy companies to determine whether they are complying with the agency regulations governing the reporting of prices on natural gas trades to published indexes.
FERC Seeks to Broaden Reporting of Pipe Damages
With the advent of the hurricane season, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is seeking to beef up its regulations governing the reporting of damages to interstate natural gas pipelines.
BLM, Forest Service Tweak New Onshore Drilling Rules
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service are jointly proposing further revisions of regulations governing oil and gas activity on public lands, supplementing an earlier proposal published by the two agencies last July and reopening the comment period for 30 days.
Woodside Considers Building West Coast LNG Terminal, Alters Deal with Crystal Energy
Crystal Energy LLC and Australia’s Woodside Petroleum announced that they have redefined their agreement governing the proposed Clearwater Port liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal offshore Oxnard, CA, to include “nonexclusive” discussions for LNG supply to the terminal. In its announcement on the decision, Woodside said that it is considering building its own LNG terminal offshore California.
APGA Lauds Administration Leadership on New Roadless Rule
The American Public Gas Association (APGA) sent a letter to President Bush last week praising the recent introduction of a new roadless rule governing national forest access and management. APGA said the rule could provide access to 11-23 Tcf of natural gas that was previously off limits. However, some experts say it’s premature to expect all the states to suddenly throw open the gates to national forest land for gas drilling.
FERC Acts on Business Standards for Gas Pipelines, Electric Utilities
FERC last Wednesday approved revised standards governing business practices and electronic communications for interstate natural gas pipelines, as well as issued a proposed rule to adopt similar standards for electric utilities for the first time.