Governing

FERC has set Dec. 3 for a technical conference in Anchorage, AK on its proposed regulations governing the conduct of open seasons for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System. The Commission’s action comes after President Bush signed into law last month a bill that provides for an $18 billion federal loan guarantee for the construction of the remaining 1,600 miles of the project. FERC expects to issue a proposed rule by about Nov. 18. The public would have until Dec. 17 to comment on FERC’s notice of proposed rulemaking. The law requires FERC to complete the regulations by Feb. 10, 2005.

FERC has set Dec. 3 for a technical conference in Anchorage, AK on its proposed regulations governing the conduct of open seasons for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System. The Commission’s action comes after President Bush signed into law last month a bill that provides for an $18 billion federal loan guarantee for the construction of the remaining 1,600 miles of the project. FERC expects to issue a proposed rule by about Nov. 18. The public would have until Dec. 17 to comment on FERC’s notice of proposed rulemaking. The law requires FERC to complete the regulations by Feb. 10, 2005.

FERC on Tuesday said it will issue on Nov. 18 proposed regulations governing the conduct of open seasons for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System. The Commission’s action comes nearly two weeks after President Bush signed into law a bill that provides for an $18 billion federal loan guarantee for the construction of the remaining 1,600 miles of the project. The public would have until Dec. 17 to comment on FERC’s notice of proposed rulemaking, with issuance of a final rule scheduled for Feb. 9. The Commission also plans to hold a technical conference around Dec. 6-10 at a site to be determined in Alaska to receive comment on the proposed open-season regulations.

FERC on Tuesday said it will issue on Nov. 18 proposed regulations governing the conduct of open seasons for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System. The Commission’s action comes nearly two weeks after President Bush signed into law a bill that provides for an $18 billion federal loan guarantee for the construction of the remaining 1,600 miles of the project. The public would have until Dec. 17 to comment on FERC’s notice of proposed rulemaking, with issuance of a final rule scheduled for Feb. 9. The Commission also plans to hold a technical conference around Dec. 6-10 at a site to be determined in Alaska to receive comment on the proposed open-season regulations.

FERC’s standards of conduct governing the relationships between regulated natural gas/electric transmission providers and their affiliates may cause “significant increases” in the rates of Wyoming customers of Questar Gas Co., the state’s chief regulator cautioned.

The state of New Mexico wants to get into the natural gas pipeline business and has its eyes set on Enron’s Transwestern Pipeline, but the bidding rules governing the bankruptcy court-directed auction for Enron’s assets apparently won’t allow the state to participate.

The state of New Mexico wants to get into the natural gas pipeline business, but the bidding rules governing the bankruptcy court-directed auction for Enron’s assets apparently won’t allow it.

U.S. standards governing the interchangeability of conventional gas supplies with regasified natural gas (LNG) “should not be set in a vacuum,” but rather should be agreeable with standards established by other nations, two international gas groups advised FERC.

Challenging the rules governing the elected, five-member New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, one of its charter commissioners is trying to get on the ballot for a third term. Currently the 1998 law forming the commission restricts commissioners to two four-year terms. The state attorney general’s office is conducting an investigation to see if a third term is in the cards for Jerome Block.