Little

While FERC’s ability to monitor the electric power market has faltered, a report by a Commission task force has found that the level of price spikes for wholesale power has grown progressively higher over the past couple of summers, with the biggest increases being seen in the eastern half of the nation.

Routine drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwaterpose little threat to the environment or human health, and, infact, play a significant role in the socioeconomic status of itsport communities. That’s the conclusion of a new report by theMinerals and Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department ofInterior, which published its conclusions for a projected 10-yearperiod on deepwater operations between 1998-2007.

Routine drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwaterpose little threat to the environment or human health, and, infact, play a significant role in the socioeconomic status of itsport communities. That’s the conclusion of a new report by theMinerals and Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department ofInterior, which published its conclusions for a projected 10-yearperiod on deepwater operations between 1998-2007.

Spurred by constructive over-the-counter dealings, along with alittle apprehension ahead of today’s release of fresh storage data,the July contract gapped higher at the open yesterday en route toan unprecedented 15th advance in 16 trading sessions. After makinga “head fake” lower about mid-morning Tuesday, the July contractrumbled 8.6 cents higher to finish at $4.354.

As the dot.com stocks begin to lose a “little bit of theirluster,” Wall Street investors quickly are setting their sights oncompanies that are involved in the development of fuel-celltechnology for the energy market, as well as the individualutilities that are “embracing” the new technology.

As the dot.com stocks begin to lose a “little bit of theirluster,” Wall Street investors quickly are setting their sights oncompanies that are involved in the production of fuel-celltechnology for the energy market, as well as the individualutilities that are “embracing” the new technology, a Wall Streetanalyst says.

One look at Nymex natural gas futures prices will tell yousupply is a little scarcer than consumers probably would like, andfirst quarter financial reports are confirming that production isdown from last year. Producer earnings soared during the firstquarter as a result of higher oil and gas prices, and lowerdomestic gas production should take some of the blame for the bullmarket.

The cash market was mostly flat to a little lower Wednesday;most of the mild weakness was concentrated at Northeast and Midwestcitygates and in the Gulf Coast and Midcontinent.

With little in the way of technical or fundamental news, naturalgas futures were held to an extremely-tight, 4-cent range in quiettrade yesterday. By finishing at $2.949, the May contract was just0.1 cents below its opening price and 2.2 cents lower for the day.Estimated volume was thin, with only 31,720 contracts changinghands.