Investigation

As part of FERC’s investigation into energy prices and potential manipulation in the western gas and power markets, it has requested some general information on the methodology Natural Gas Intelligence uses in collecting, calculating and publishing natural gas price information (see Intelligence Press, Inc.’s web site: http://intelligencepress.com/methodology.html). The Commission has requested this information by June 4 under Docket No. PA02-2-000.

FERC Commissioner Nora M. Brownell pledged her support Wednesday for a Commission investigation into charges that Enron Corp. may have manipulated energy prices in California’s forward markets, saying the agency needs to “clear up [any] lingering doubt” about this before it can begin to build a “stable, predictable market” in the western state.

As part of its ongoing investigation into the collapse of Enron, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA), along with Ranking Member John Dingell (D-MI), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman James Greenwood (R-PA) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Peter Deutsch (D-FL), called on former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay to explain in detail the personal loans he obtained from the company. The Congressmen told Lay they want to determine what impact his unreported financial activity may have had on company shareholders and employees.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed last week it put out a general advisory to all its field offices warning that Osama bin Laden has issued orders for U.S. natural gas supplies to be attacked in the event of the death or capture of himself or his Taliban leader, Mullah Omar. The FBI stressed it had no corroboration for the information and it could turn out to be unreliable.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed Monday it has put out a general advisory to all its field offices warning that it has an uncorroborated report that Osama bin Laden has issued orders for U.S. natural gas supplies to be attacked in the event of the death or capture of himself or his general, Mullah Omar. The FBI stresses it has no corroboration for this information and it could turn out to be unreliable.

El Paso Natural Gas and affiliate El Paso Merchant Energy are challenging FERC’s decision last month to re-open an investigation into allegations that the bidding for transportation capacity on the pipeline’s system was skewed to favor its merchant power generation affiliates.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has called on FERC to initiate a new investigation into allegations that generators manipulated California power prices in the wake of a new General Accounting Office (GAO) report, which found the Commission’s initial probe to be faulty.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has called on FERC to initiate a new investigation into allegations that generators manipulated California power prices in the wake of a General Accounting Office (GAO) report, which found the Commission’s initial probe to be faulty.

Sea Robin reported completing an investigation of a leak in its “J” leg segment (see Daily GPI, May 16). The “J” leg is being returned to service after the leak was isolated on the lateral serving Eugene Island Block 305 (receipt location 94027), Sea Robin said. It resumed taking nominations for Thursday’s gas day at all affected points except for location 94027.