Mpuc

Enbridge Energy Partners LP urged regulators with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to reject calls for it to reconsider its authorization of a crude oil pipeline replacement project across the state’s northern tier.

Enbridge Inc. has vowed to try again for state approval of a partial new route across Minnesota for the proposed replacement of its half century-old Line 3 oil export pipeline that runs from Alberta to the Midwest.

Minnegasco received approval from the Minnesota Public UtilitiesCommission (MPUC) for a fixed-rate pilot program scheduled to beginNov. 1 in Mankato and North Mankato, MN. The program offers about12,700 residential and 1,600 commercial customers the option ofbeing billed a fixed rate for gas for one year. If successful, theprogram could be expanded to other communities served byMinnegasco.

The battle over the next gas distribution frontier is continuingin Maine with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) grantingBangor Gas Co. unconditional authority to provide gas distributionservice to five municipalities in the greater Bangor area. BangorGas, a joint venture of Bangor Hydro and Energy Pacific, iscompeting for market share in the area with CMP Natural Gas, ajoint venture of Central Maine Power and New York State Electric& Gas. Both projects are intended to provide new gas serviceonce Maritimes and Northeast comes on line in November 1999.