Lays

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission delivered to Congress last week a “working blueprint” of how it plans to aggressively oversee and monitor energy markets for abuses, in the wake of Capitol Hill’s criticism of its lax policing of the industry over the years.

While legislation remains alive that could cripple future expansions of the Gulfstream Natural Gas pipeline and might even bring the project to a standstill, sponsors Duke Energy and Williams said they are moving forward with construction. A Williams spokesman said the company remains confident that the legislation against the pipeline will be removed from the energy appropriations bill during conference on the measure in September.

While legislation remains alive that could cripple future expansions of the Gulfstream Natural Gas pipeline and might even bring the project to a standstill, sponsors Duke Energy and Williams said they are moving forward with construction. A Williams spokesman said the company remains confident that the legislation against the pipeline will be removed from the energy appropriations bill during conference on the measure in September.

FERC last week voted out a final rule that lays out the”detailed” requirements electric utilities must meet whensubmitting merger applications. The new rule is intended to helpmerger partners file “more complete” applications upfront, whichthen would improve the odds for speedier processing by theCommission, said Commissioner William Massey, who has led the drivefor a streamlined merger process at FERC.

FERC yesterday voted out a final rule that lays out “detailed”requirements for electric utilities to meet when submitting mergerapplications. The new rule is intended to help merger partners file”more complete” applications upfront, which then would improve theodds for speedier processing by the Commission, said CommissionerWilliam Massey, who has led the drive for a streamlined mergerprocess at FERC.

Edison Mission Energy, the global independent power productionsubsidiary of Rosemead, CA-based Edison International, is quietlyretrenching and reorganizing its worldwide presence in a move thathas resulted in 100 workers being laid off.

Edison Mission Energy, the global independent power productionsubsidiary of Rosemead, CA-based Edison International, is quietlyretrenching and reorganizing its worldwide presence in a move thathas resulted in 100 workers being laid off.

Cabot Oil & Gas announced it will close its Pittsburghoffice Aug. 31 as part of a “strategic repositioning” that includedthe sale of non-core Appalachian properties to Enervest ManagementCo. for $46.2 million last September. About 15 jobs will beeliminated as a result of the action. The remaining positions willbe transferred to existing offices in Charleston, WV, and Houston.

Cabot Oil & Gas announced it will close its Pittsburghoffice Aug. 31 as part of a “strategic repositioning” that includedthe sale of non-core Appalachian properties to Enervest ManagementCo. for $46.2 million last September. About 15 jobs will beeliminated as a result of the action. The remaining positions willbe transferred to existing offices in Charleston, WV, and Houston.