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Although it is not a well known name in the energy industry, NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc. aims to be recognizable by the time in 2010 when it opens its proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal on the Oregon side upriver about 40 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River at the Pacific Ocean-hugging town of Astoria, OR. The next step is a completed draft environmental impact report (EIR) or an announcement on a major source of LNG in the next two to three months, said Gary Coppedge the firm’s president, during an interview with NGI late Thursday.

San Antonio-based Tidelands Oil & Gas, a small Texas pipeline company with big plans for Mexico’s northeastern gas industry, has added its name to the growing list of companies vying to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals offshore Southern California.

Avista Corp.’s board of directors will ask company shareholders to approve a change to Avista’s corporate structure, resulting in the formation of a holding company whose name is yet to be finalized. The holding company would be the parent of Avista Utilities and all other Avista subsidiaries, Avista said last week.

Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley telecommunications multi-millionaire entrepreneur, withdrew his name on Wednesday from consideration to fill one of the five seats on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), citing too many conflicts with his rich and varied personal investment portfolio. Poizner, an unsuccessful candidate for an elected state legislative seat two years ago, said he plans to run next year for the state Insurance Commissioner’s post.

Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley telecommunications multi-millionaire entrepreneur, withdrew his name on Wednesday from consideration to fill one of the five seats on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), citing too many conflicts with his rich and varied personal investment portfolio. Poizner, an unsuccessful candidate for an elected state legislative seat two years ago, said he plans to run next year for the state Insurance Commissioner’s post.

Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) has called on the Bush administration to appoint a member of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUC) to sit on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Ownesboro, KY-based TGT Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of Loews Corp., has changed its name to Boardwalk Pipelines LLC. The renamed company is the parent of two operating subsidiaries in the interstate gas pipeline industry, Texas Gas Transmission LLC and Gulf South Pipeline Co. LP, whose names will remain unchanged.

Ownesboro, KY-based TGT Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of Loews Corp., has changed its name to Boardwalk Pipelines LLC. The renamed company is the parent of two operating subsidiaries in the interstate gas pipeline industry, Texas Gas Transmission LLC and Gulf South Pipeline Co. LP, whose names will remain unchanged.

Adding its name to the lengthy list of marketers that have exited Georgia’s retail gas market, Energy America, Centrica’s U.S. retail gas marketing subsidiary, said last week that it is calling it quits after struggling to build its customer base there last year and then being hit with a fine and other penalties last month by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for slamming.