Hard

While there are no hard estimates, an early analysis presented to state energy policymakers last Tuesday indicates the costs to California’s retail energy utility customers will increase up to 30% to pay for stepped up renewable and energy efficiency programs enabling the state to meet its highly touted goal of reducing its overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2010.

While there are no hard estimates, an early analysis presented to state energy policymakers Tuesday indicates the costs to California’s retail energy utility customers will increase up to 30% to pay for stepped up renewable and energy efficiency programs enabling the state to meet its now highly touted goal of reducing its overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2010.

The natural gas futures market was at an impasse Tuesday as traction in either direction appeared hard to come by. After trading a slim $6.810 to $6.950 range, the November contract finished Tuesday’s regular session at $6.863, up 1.7 cents from Monday’s close.

In the wake of the Sept. 16 fire at the Cheyenne Plains Compressor Station, Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline said it has found itself between a rock and a hard place as it attempts to “satisfy competing and currently incompatible goals.”

It appears that no matter how hard futures bulls try to punch through resistance at $8, they will continue to meet with failure until some other piece of bullish fundamental news — whether it be summer heat or hurricanes — is introduced into the equation. June natural gas futures recorded a $8.110 high Monday before retreating to close at $7.952, up 5.3 cents on the day.

There is a global theme with a mixture of hard asset and financial players in some of the recent consolidation among energy marketing/trading firms, according to the representatives speaking on a natural gas buying panel at GasMart 2007 in Chicago Thursday. Fortis Energy Marketing/Trading, Integrys Energy Services Inc. and ScottishPower’s U.S.-based PPM Energy all are the product of recent consolidations.

There is a global theme with a mixture of hard asset and financial players in some of the recent consolidation among energy marketing/trading firms, according to the representatives speaking on a natural gas buying panel at GasMart 2007 in Chicago Thursday. Fortis Energy Marketing/Trading, Integrys Energy Services Inc. and ScottishPower’s U.S.-based PPM Energy all are the product of recent consolidations.

Taking a hard line on Alaska’s long-term energy plan, newly elected Republican Gov. Sarah Palin said last Wednesday in her State of the State address that her “primary” energy focus is to get a natural gas pipeline serving the North Slope off of the drawing board and into service. In order to do that, she said the state will offer potential pipeline developers a package of incentives, including state funds.

Taking a hard line on Alaska’s long-term energy plan, newly elected Republican Gov. Sarah Palin said Wednesday in her State of the State address that her “primary” energy focus is to get a natural gas pipeline serving the North Slope off of the drawing board and into service. She added that the state also needs to ramp-up the development of its energy resources.