Names

After making in August 2002 what were expected to be the last remaining organizational changes since it bought Columbia Energy Group in 2000 (see Daily GPI, Aug. 30, 2002), NiSource announced another major corporate restructuring this week that includes the internal promotion of six new leaders for its major utility companies. The moves are part of what has become an industry trend of selling off high-risk and costly unregulated operations and focusing on a back-to-basics strategy of optimizing regulated utility and pipeline businesses.

With the resignation of a regulator facing possible impeachment, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano last Thursday named one of her aides to the five-member, elected Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to fill out the term of the departed commissioner. Kristin Mayes, the governor’s press aide, assumed a seat on the ACC, for which she will have to campaign in the November 2004 election for a full term.

Reliant Resources Inc. reported last Tuesday a net loss of nearly $6 million for the second quarter, blaming a weak wholesale power market, high natural gas prices and an increase in interest expense associated with a major refinancing package. The loss came as the Houston company announced plans to eliminate about 650 employee positions as part of a cost-cutting move. Reliant Resources stock plunged by $1.10 following the release of the company’s gloomy earnings report.

A former El Paso Natural Gas executive who also has experience with California’s major energy consumer watchdog group and regulatory panel, Randy Wu, Thursday was named as general counsel to the five-member California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Wu returns to the regulatory panel where he began his career in the 1970s from a position as a deputy city attorney with the City/County of San Francisco.

Under the threat of being ousted through a proxy battle started by one of largest shareholders, El Paso Corp.’s board of directors announced late Wednesday that it has appointed Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. to serve as interim CEO and chairman of the board, replacing William A. Wise, effective immediately.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis re-appointed Michael Peevey, 64, to the California Public Utilities Commission and appointed his current cabinet secretary, Susan Kennedy, 42, to another spot on the five-member CPUC. Both are appointed to six-year terms and their new positions are subject to state Senate confirmation. Davis also re-appointed John Geesman to the California Energy Resources and Development Commission, which serves as the state’s primary energy policy/planning agency. Geesman, 51, the newest member of the commission was appointed to a full five-year term.

Seattle-based Cascade Natural Gas Corp. has named Larry L. Pinnt, an outside director since 1995, as the new chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1. W. Brian Matsuyama, president and CEO, also had carried the chairman’s duties before the announcement.

California’s Gov. Gray Davis Tuesday prepared for the New Year by re-appointing Michael Peevey, 64, to the California Public Utilities Commission and appointing his current cabinet secretary, Susan Kennedy, 42, to another spot on the five-member CPUC. Both are appointed to six-year terms and their new positions are subject to state Senate confirmation.

Seattle-based Cascade Natural Gas Corp. has named Larry L. Pinnt, an outside director since 1995, as the new chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1. W. Brian Matsuyama, president and CEO, also had carried the chairman’s duties before the announcement.