Gray

William M. Gray, 86, emeritus professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University (CSU) and a pioneer of hurricane forecasting, has died. Gray, who headed the Tropical Meteorology Project, issued his first data-driven seasonal forecast at CSU in 1984. Rather than determining a tropical storm’s path or potential landfall, Gray is considered instrumental in using aggregated data to determine atmospheric conditions, water currents and temperatures to predict the number and intensity of storms. He received his bachelor’s degree in geography from George Washington University in 1952 before joining the U.S. Air Force, where he was a weather forecaster, and he earned a master’s degree in meteorology and a doctorate in geophysical sciences from the University of Chicago. Gray joined CSU in 1961 and retired in 2005, but he remained active in weather research. Gray, whose wife died in 2001, is survived by three children. The CSU’s 2016 hurricane forecast, issued earlier this month by Gray’s final graduate student Philip J. Klotzbach, now lead author, calls for an “average” major hurricane season (see Daily GPI,April 15).

On balance cash markets were unchanged Wednesday in spite of a fire and explosion on a pipeline in Gray County, TX. Weather conditions for the most part were mild limiting both electrical generation requirements as well as heating load. Northeast, Gulf, and California points moved little beyond a penny either side of unchanged. At the close of futures trading July had eased 2.5 cents to $2.421 and August weakened 2.2 cents to $2.474. July crude oil gained 73 cents to $85.02/bbl.

Revising their predictions on the eve of the official start to hurricane season, Colorado State University’s William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach said the 2005 hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin is now expected to be “well-above average,” an upgrade from their early April prediction for an “above-average” hurricane season (see NGI, April 4). Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 20.

Revising their predictions on the eve of the official start to hurricane season, Colorado State University’s William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach said the 2005 hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin is now expected to be “well-above average,” an upgrade from their early April prediction for an “above-average” hurricane season. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 20.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis last week called on his state regulators to lower retail power charges statewide by about $1 billion, recognizing that reserves needed by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) to pay off $12 billion in electricity revenue bonds have declined.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis re-appointed Michael Peevey, 64, to the California Public Utilities Commission and appointed his current cabinet secretary, Susan Kennedy, 42, to another spot on the five-member CPUC. Both are appointed to six-year terms and their new positions are subject to state Senate confirmation. Davis also re-appointed John Geesman to the California Energy Resources and Development Commission, which serves as the state’s primary energy policy/planning agency. Geesman, 51, the newest member of the commission was appointed to a full five-year term.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis re-appointed the newest commissioner on the state energy commission, John Geesman, 51, to a full five-year term. Geesman had been appointed last July to fill out a term of a commissioner who retired early.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis Tuesday prepared for the New Year by re-appointing Michael Peevey, 64, to the California Public Utilities Commission and appointing his current cabinet secretary, Susan Kennedy, 42, to another spot on the five-member CPUC. Both are appointed to six-year terms and their new positions are subject to state Senate confirmation.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis signed a slew of energy bills last Tuesday, but only two were significant in their potential impact, and both should help the state’s major private-sector utilities restore their creditworthiness, according to political and industry officials.