Imported

Stating that the local distribution company (LDC) story from the buyer’s perspective is one of “growth and more growth,” Nick Stavropoulos, president of KeySpan Energy Delivery New England, said that at the end of the day, LDCs will “remain the key link” to the natural gas customer, ensuring reliable gas service.

Citing the critical role that imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will play in bridging the gap between domestic natural gas supply and demand over the next two decades, major LNG developers called on FERC Friday to exempt import terminals from the agency’s open-access and open-season regulations to encourage an influx of foreign LNG supplies into the United States.

Citing the critical role that imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will play in bridging the gap between domestic natural gas supply and demand over the next two decades, major LNG developers called on FERC Friday to exempt import terminals from the agency’s open-access and open-season regulations to encourage an influx of foreign LNG supplies into the United States. Without a more favorable regulatory regime, they warned overseas suppliers will go to the “place of least resistance” — Japan and western Europe, for example.

Lagging U.S. gas production and an ever-increasing demand could make the United States a little more dependent on imported gas if recent long-term forecasts made by a committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) hold up. Natural gas demand is expected to increase to 30.7 Tcf by 2015, far outstripping the domestic production level of 24.8 Tcf that is anticipated for the same period.

Power sellers have urged FERC to reject two complaints that seekto void a $6,000/MWh bid for imported electricity that was used toset the market clearing price in the New England Independent SystemOperator for five hours last May 8.

Mexico last Monday lifted its 4% tariff on natural gas importedfrom the United States, the Energy Ministry announced. This clearsthe way for expanded gas sales by U.S. companies into thefast-growing markets in northern Mexico.