Introduced

Oklahoma’s Republican Sen. Don Nickles has introduced a wholenew approach to the electric restructuring debate, proposing a billthat would strip states of their authority to grant franchises toutilities and open local markets to competition.

Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced legislation that wouldrequire pipelines seeking to seize private property for projects topersonally notify affected landowners by certified mail of theirintention at the outset of FERC proceedings, giving them theopportunity to “participate meaningfully” in the process.

The Clinton administration will announce today a “plan” or “listof principles” for restructuring the electricity industry. “It canbe introduced as legislation. It’s written in legislative language.This is what everyone’s been waiting for,” said Bill Wicker, aspokesman for the Department of Energy.

LG&E Energy Marketing (LEM), a subsidiary of LG&EEnergy, has introduced risk management products designed to manageweather-related risk.

Rep. John E. Ensign (R-NV) proposed legislation late last weekthat would provide a 50-cent income tax credit for each gallonequivalent of natural gas, propane and methanol used in vehiclesplaced in service after Dec. 31, 1997. The tax credit will act as a”significant financial” incentive for fleet managers and others tostep up their use of clean, domestic fuels.