Handed

In a take-it-or-leave-it gesture, California consumer advocatesTuesday handed the governor and state legislature an ultimatum torollback electric industry restructuring and insert the state in anexpanded role over the development and operation of power plants.If the elected officials fail to act, the consumer activists planto put another measure on the statewide ballot in 2002.

The New York Independent System Operator (ISO) walked away fromFERC empty-handed last week, as the Commission cited itsdisappointment with the regional power group’s failure to reduceconcentration in the 10-minute non-spinning reserves market.

The New York Independent System Operator (ISO) walked away fromFERC empty handed yesterday, as the Commission cited itsdisappointment with the regional power group’s failure to reduceconcentration in the 10-minute non-spinning reserves market.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week handedload-serving entities (mostly electric utilities) that supply theNew York City power market a present — a targeted rebate of $3.75per kilowatt month.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday handedload-serving entities (mostly electric utilities) that serve theNew York City power market a present — a targeted rebate of $3.75per kilowatt month.

FERC handed the proposed Trans-Union Interstate Pipelinesomething of a doubled-edged sword last week. While it issued acertificate for the 42-mile, 430,000 Dth/d pipeline project, itdenied its request to operate it as a single-use line.

With a little holiday cheer, the American Gas Association handedout an extremely optimistic 1999 gas consumption forecast last weekas a gift to those whose spirits may be down with gas demand thisChristmas season. The association told those attending its year-endreview conference in Washington, D.C. to expect 5% growth inconsumption in 1999, led by a 13% increase in the residentialsector and a 6.8% jump in the commercial sector. This rosy glow,however, would be fueled by normal weather, something that’s beenin short supply over the past year. Given above normal wintertemperatures next year (10% fewer heating degree days) and severalother negative factors such as $10/bbl oil prices, AGA expects an0.4% drop in gas demand.

PG&E Gas Transmission Texas (PG&E GT-T), a subsidiary ofPG&E Corp., said it will appeal a judgment handed down lastweek in the 92nd district court in Hildalgo County, TX, regardingfranchise fees, even though the judge reduced the August 1998 juryverdict.

While the FERC last week handed the Gas Industry Standards Board(GISB) a much-desired extension of the pipeline industry’s move tothe Internet, a heated debate erupted at the standards-settinggroup’s annual board meeting about whether the Commission wasasking it to tackle standardizing subjects that were “out of thescope” of its role.