Nationwide

The rapid growth of renewable energy through state renewable portfolio standards and other actions nationwide will have a substantial negative impact on natural gas demand and prices, according to a new report by scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The rapid growth of renewable energy through state renewable portfolio standards and other actions nationwide will have a substantial negative impact on natural gas demand and prices, according to a new report by scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

With gas prices moving up in $1 increments in the Northeast on Monday in response to the first real blast of winter weather, Philadelphia-based PECO Energy announced several significant improvements in its distribution infrastructure and some adjustments in its supply and gas transportation portfolio this winter. Eric Helt, manager of gas acquisition and planning, said the adjustments are designed to help it guard against price volatility.

With gas prices moving up in $1 increments in the Northeast on Monday in response to the first real blast of winter weather, Philadelphia-based PECO Energy announced several significant improvements in its distribution infrastructure and some adjustments in its supply and gas transportation portfolio this winter. Eric Helt, manager of gas acquisition and planning, said the adjustments are designed to help it guard against price volatility.

Northwest Natural Gas Co. is among pipeline operators nationwide who are facing rising costs this year for new pipeline integrity testing. Northwest said Monday that it reached an agreement with the staff of the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) over $5 million in additional charges in 2004 and the $5-15 million per year in charges over the next nine years for new pipeline integrity testing and related pipeline safety activities.

Weather Services International (WSI) said it expects temperatures over the next three months (December-February) to be slightly colder than normal in the Southeast and along the eastern seaboard but warmer-than-normal elsewhere, with the largest positive temperature anomalies in the Southwest.

Weather Services International (WSI) said it expects temperatures over the next three months (December-February) to be slightly colder than normal in the Southeast and along the eastern seaboard but warmer-than-normal elsewhere, with the largest positive temperature anomalies in the Southwest.

While overall transportation-related fatalities rose slightly nationwide during 2001, deaths caused by pipeline explosions or other malfunctions fell significantly, according to preliminary figures released last Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Despite the current nationwide economic slowdown, spending for the development and operation of power generation, transmission facilities and natural gas pipelines in the United States remains strong, according to ENSR International, a worldwide environmental and energy development services firm.