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After a brief and uninspired upside push was thwarted, naturalgas futures continued lower yesterday as follow-through sellingtook prices to their lowest level since April. No fresh news wasseen influencing prices, and as a result bears remained solidly incontrol, traders said. The August contract finished down an evennickel at $2.141.

Although the much-touted electricity restructuring billintroduced by Reps. Steve Largent (R-OK) and Edward Markey (D-MA)would slash the renewable portfolio mandate proposed by the Clintonadministration by more than half, natural gas producers stillaren’t quite satisfied.

Although the much-touted electricity restructuring billintroduced by Reps. Steve Largent (R-OK) and Edward Markey (D-MA)would slash the renewable portfolio mandate proposed by the Clintonadministration by more than half, natural gas producers stillaren’t quite satisfied.

The potential for new natural gas-fired generating capacity overthe next decade is as much as double that of some initial industryforecasts, according to a new study commissioned by the INGAAFoundation.

Although Avista Corp. has yet to garner much attention on WallStreet, the company is expecting its share price will rise as itsstrategy unfolds. Corporate strategy views technology and billconsolidation services as the gateway to a significant nationwidemarketing presence.

A House Commerce subcommittee hearing last week revealed thatlawmakers aren’t much closer to agreement on the tough,controversial issues associated with restructuring of the powerindustry than they were a year ago.

A House Commerce subcommittee hearing yesterday revealed thatlawmakers aren’t much closer to agreement on the tough,controversial issues associated with restructuring of the powerindustry than they were a year ago.

After see-sawing 2 cents on either side of unchanged for much ofthe Nymex trading session yesterday, the futures market rumbledhigher late in the day to finish near its high. The June contractfinished up 2.9 cents at $2.302, which places it squarely in themiddle of its recent $2.205-$2.405 trading range. Estimated volumewas a relatively light 32,280.

Eskridge, KS (Pop. 518), can live without unbundled gas service, thank you very much. The city-owned Eskridge Gas System, which serves about 587 customers in Eskridge and four nearby communities, would rather not be bothered with trying to educate customers about gas supplier choice.