Hearing

An opening hearing Monday at city hall in Long Beach, CA on a joint draft environmental impact report (EIR) on Sound Energy Solutions proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the Port of Long Beach drew a crowd of about 150 people, 35 of whom spoke, and the split was about even between those favoring and opposing the plans for the terminal.

State and industry officials last Tuesday told a California legislative committee hearing that parts of Southern California may face blackouts this summer if unusually hot weather is experienced. The latest forecast showed a 1.5%, or 2,000 MW, supply shortfall in periods of peak demand in September, according to testimony given to a special meeting of the state Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee in Sacramento.

Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) last Wednesday asked FERC Chairman Patrick Wood to reopen FERC’s investigation into Enron’s trading practices during the 2000-2001 Western energy crisis and to explain how the agency will respond to new evidence of “extensive and deliberate” trading manipulations, particularly in the context of disputed energy cost refunds and long term energy contracts to which Enron was a party.

Oregon regulators will hold a half-day forum on natural gas Thursday, preparing for the third annual fall retail rate adjustment for three private-sector gas utilities operating in the state. The Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) three members reportedly want to hear from a “wide range of experts” on gas supply/price prospects for both this summer and winter.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said that it has scheduled a hearing for June 8 to consider the Bush administration’s renomination of Suedeen Kelly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said Tuesday that it has scheduled a hearing for June 8 to consider the Bush administration’s renomination of Suedeen Kelly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

An Alabama circuit judge began hearing arguments Thursday on whether to uphold a record multi-billion-dollar verdict won by the state last year against ExxonMobil Corp. The decision in the case, over disputed natural gas royalties, is expected by March 22.

An Alabama circuit judge began hearing arguments Thursday on whether to uphold a record multi-billion-dollar verdict won by the state last year against ExxonMobil Corp. The decision in the case, over disputed natural gas royalties, is expected by March 22.

Both California and Mexico are committed to giving proponents of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import projects a chance to make their cases for new receiving terminals, but it is still unclear how many and where (on-land or offshore) those facilities will be built, according to government energy officials who spoke this week at a conference in Long Beach, CA.