Local

Several consumer groups in Montana, including the local chapter of the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), want to pursue ballot initiatives that would call for the repeal of sections of the state’s deregulation law and a ratepayer rebate that would be funded by excess profits from generators.

Coping with a colder-than-normal 2000-01 winter heating season, local distribution companies went into the spot market for 13% of their peak day purchases, compared to 9% the previous winter, according to an American Gas Association survey of 50 LDCs.

Norma F. Dunn has assumed the role as senior vice president of Communications and Government Affairs for El Paso Corp. Dunn will manage all local, state, federal, and international government relations, while retaining her current responsibilities as senior vice president over all corporate communications, public relations, media relations, regional issues management, and emergency response activities.

One expansion just wasn’t enough for Mitchell Energy &Development Co., which yesterday announced plans for a secondadd-on to its Bridgeport natural gas processing plant in NorthTexas. The expansion, planned for completion by July 2001, isexpected to help the company double its capacity within a year,matching the rapidly growing gas production from Mitchell’s NewarkEast Barnett Shale field.

A small Massachusetts local distributor last week asked FERC towaive a Tennessee Gas Pipeline tariff restriction on capacityreleases that it claims could “frustrate” the drive towardscompetition in the state’s natural gas market.

A small Massachusetts local distributor has asked FERC to waivea Tennessee Gas Pipeline tariff restriction that it claims could”frustrate” efforts to unbundle the natural gas market in thestate.

Pressured by a steady stream of local and fund selling, naturalgas futures slid lower yesterday amid an improving winter storageoutlook and continued mild temperatures across the nation. TheNovember contract took it squarely on the chin, dropping 25.2 centsto close at $4.82, almost a dollar below its Oct. 12 high.

From coast to coast, utilities and local distribution companies(LDCs) are preparing for the peak natural gas-usage season thiswinter by filing rate hikes with regulators, and bracing theircustomers for inflated gas prices that are still to come.

From coast to coast, utilities and local distribution companies(LDCs) are preparing for the peak natural gas-usage season thiswinter by filing rate hikes with regulators, and bracing theircustomers for inflated gas prices that are still to come.