Investigation

Pepco Energy Services Inc. has called on FERC to conduct an investigation into the “serious problems” that allegedly occurred during a November capacity auction by Columbia Gas Transmission, which it said ultimately led to the rejection of valid bids made by Pepco and capacity being awarded to another shipper.

The government’s massive Enron Corp. investigation is nearly complete following the sentencing Friday of two former executives of the bankrupt company.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation and Safety Board are conducting an investigation into how a tugboat hauling two barges struck an underwater natural gas line belonging to Gulfport Energy Inc. in West Cote Blanche Bay, LA. The incident on Thursday triggered an explosion that killed at least four people and left two other people missing and feared dead. One barge was carrying chemically treated lumber; the other was hauling a mechanical crane and fuel.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) last Wednesday called for an internal Interior Department investigation into a recently obtained e-mail from a Utah lobbyist that he believes suggests that agency officials may have conspired behind closed doors to “fix” new land-use plans to assure more oil and natural gas development on wilderness-quality lands in the state.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has called for an internal Interior Department investigation into a recently obtained e-mail from a Utah lobbyist that he believes suggests that agency officials may have conspired behind closed doors to “fix” new land-use plans to assure more oil and natural gas development on wilderness-quality lands in the state.

During the period under investigation in 2000 El Paso’s basis traders reviewed prices prior to submission to index publishers and could change them, former El Paso trader Alison Reitze testified in the fifth day of the Houston trial of Michelle Valencia, a former Dynegy trader, and former El Paso trader Greg Singleton on charges of attempting to manipulate the natural gas market..

As major oil and natural gas producers report staggering first-quarter profits, the Senate Finance Committee said it will undertake an investigation into the taxes paid by large energy companies and has asked the Internal Revenue Office (IRS) to provide corporate tax returns.

Two Senate Democrats on Monday called for an investigation of allegations in a New York Times published report alleging natural gas royalty undercollections by the federal government.

Outgoing director of the FERC Office of Market Oversight and Investigation (OMOI) William F. Hederman has joined the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP as director of the firm’s newly established Energy Resources Group, an affiliated group performing nonlegal professional services for the firm’s clients. Hederman will be offering energy clients insights into the development of compliance programs and internal audit procedures to satisfy FERC’s regulatory requirements. Hederman announced in late September that he would be leaving the Commission. Chairman Joseph Kelliher appointed FERC veteran Susan Court to head OMOI (see Daily GPI, Nov. 9). George D. Billinson is also moving over from OMOI’s enforcement division. Billinson’s practice for Morgan Lewis will focus on regulatory compliance, enforcement, investigations, audits and litigation.