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FERC Chairman James Hoecker issued an ultimatum to warringfactions in the gas industry last week, saying it is now or neverregarding major new initiatives aimed at a more competitive market,while two other commissioners in speeches in different citiesassured gas representatives they were open to debate andalternatives. But it was not clear that anyone was listening, asindustry leaders reportedly were attempting to forma coalition toask for a second delay – this time for six months – in the deadlineto respond to FERC’s proposals. (See Late Breaking News)

FERC Chairman James Hoecker earlier this week gave theoft-disputing segments of the energy industry, especially naturalgas, an ultimatum: either play nice and come to agreement with theCommission on the series of major proposed rulemakings now facingthem, or the agency will pull the plug on comprehensive reviews inthe future.

FERC Chairman James Hoecker yesterday announced that theCommission will hold a conference on Feb. 25 to address therelationship between interstate pipeline competition and retailunbundling at the state level.

FERC Chairman James Hoecker said this week he would prefer thatthe gas industry reserve any arguments opposing the Commission’sdaily auction proposal for written comments that are due Nov., 9th,and use the workshop to be held on Oct. 20th to focus on thedetails of how an auction could be put into practice.

Chairman James Hoecker last week announced that FERC plans tohold a workshop with the gas industry in mid-October to flesh outthe details involved in the auctioning of short-term capacity. Theworkshop will occur prior to the deadline for industry comments onthe notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that addresses regulationof short-term capacity, specifically the auctioning of thatcapacity. The comments are due in early November.

Chairman James Hoecker said this week FERC plans to hold onestaff workshop (possibly more) with the gas industry in mid-Octoberto flesh out the details involved in the auctioning of short-termcapacity. The workshop will occur prior to the deadline forindustry comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) thataddresses regulation of short-term capacity, specifically theauctioning of that capacity. The comments are due in earlyNovember.

Seagull Energy’s board has elected James T. Hackett as its newpresident and CEO, and its future chairman. Hackett, 44, has beenpresident of Duke’s Energy Services Division. Prior to that he wasexecutive vice president of PanEnergy. He will succeed Barry J.Galt, who has been chairman and CEO since 1983. Galt will continueto serve as chairman for the remainder of the year before beingelected vice chairman, at which time Hackett will assume theadditional position of chairman. Hackett said he looks forward tothe opportunity. Seagull “has a good management team, a solidbalance sheet and a strong collection of domestic and internationalassets.” Hackett has held a variety of positions in finance,marketing and engineering in the exploration and production andmidstream sectors of the industry for Amoco, Burlington Resourcesand NGC Corp. (now Dynegy). Subsequently, Seagull announced John W.Elias resigned as executive vice president and a director. Elias,who joined Seagull in 1993, supervised the company’s domestic andinternational oil and gas operations.

Seagull Energy’s board has elected James T. Hackett as its newpresident and CEO, and its future chairman. Hackett, 44, has beenpresident of Duke’s Energy Services Division. Prior to that he wasexecutive vice president of PanEnergy.

FERC Chairman James Hoecker has announced the start-up of threenew offices, created as a result of the agency’s on-goingrestructuring.