Intervenes

Looking to ensure that Consumers Energy does not unlawfully pass on additional costs to its customers, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said Wednesday that he is taking action in two of the company’s cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

Indicating that it intends to hold California complainants to the higher Mobile-Sierra standard in their attempts to overturn power contracts signed by state agencies with Allegheny Energy Supply and certain other power generators, FERC said last week the full Commission alone will render a decision on those companies — and soon.

The Department of Justice has intervened in three civil lawsuitsaccusing affiliates of ExxonMobil Corp., Shell Oil Co. andBurlington Resources Inc. of “knowingly undervaluing” royalties onnatural gas produced from leases on federal and Indian lands over a10-year period. This could be just the tip of the iceberg, as thedepartment has indicated it is reviewing several other gas-royaltycases.

The Department of Justice has intervened in three lawsuitsaccusing Exxon-Mobil Corp., Shell Oil Co. and Burlington ResourcesInc. and affiliates of “knowingly undervaluing” royalties onnatural gas produced from leases on federal and Indian lands over a10-year period. This could be just the tip of the iceberg, as thedepartment has indicated it is reviewing several other cases.