New Mexico’s newly elected Gov. Susana Martinez has nominated former astronaut and U.S. senator Harrison Schmitt as the state’s secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. The governor’s announcement follows a decision to dismiss the state’s environmental board tied to a cap-and-trade proposal. Schmitt is charged by the new governor to “harness and develop” energy sources in New Mexico as a means of reviving the state’s sputtering economy and creating new jobs. Schmitt’s nomination is subject to confirmation by state lawmakers. He said he will work with the governor to “enhance New Mexico’s potential” as “a leader in energy and natural resource development.” With an undergraduate degree from the California Institute of Technology and a doctorate degree from Harvard University, Schmitt earned an Air Force jet pilot’s wings in 1965 and Navy helicopter wings two years later. He participated in the National Aeronautical and Space Administration’s scientist-astronaut program beginning in 1965, and provided support for the Apollo 11 mission, before flying into space as part of the Apollo 17 mission. He landed on the Moon Dec. 11, 1972.
Newly
Articles from Newly
Former Astronaut Tabbed by New Mexico Governor for Energy Post
New Mexico’s newly elected Gov. Susana Martinez has nominated former astronaut and U.S. senator Harrison Schmitt as the state’s secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. The governor’s announcement follows a decision to dismiss the state’s environmental board tied to a cap-and-trade proposal in the opening days of her new administration (see Power Market Today, Jan. 10).
NTSB: ‘Urgent’ Pipe Alert Post-PG&E Rupture
As a prelude to newly scheduled fact-finding hearings, federal pipeline investigators last Monday issued urgent recommendations regarding record-keeping problems it has encountered with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) in the wake of the San Francisco-based utility’s fatal natural gas transmission pipeline rupture in San Bruno, CA, last September.
NTSB Issues ‘Urgent’ Recommendations on PG&E Pipelines
As a prelude to newly scheduled fact-finding hearings, federal pipeline investigators Monday issued urgent recommendations regarding record-keeping problems it has encountered with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) in the wake of the San Francisco-based utility’s fatal natural gas transmission pipeline rupture in San Bruno, CA, last September.
Former Arkla CEO: Arkansas Severance Tax Still Too Low
Arkansas should increase its severance tax rate on natural gas production, including production from the Fayetteville Shale, to help pay for road repairs in gas producing areas, said Sheffield Nelson, former CEO of Arkla Inc., the state’s largest gas company. Nelson was among those who pushed for the state’s last severance tax increase three years ago.
KKR Buys into Eagle Ford Shale
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) agreed Monday to invest up to $400 million in Hilcorp Resources Inc., a newly formed partnership created to own and develop 100,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale trend of South Texas leased by privately held Hilcorp Energy Co.
People
San Diego-based Sempra Energy has promoted Debra Reed to a newly created executive vice president position at the holding company, reporting to Sempra CEO Donald Felsinger. Reed, 53, president and CEO of utilities San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) since 2006, joined SoCalGas in 1978 as an energy systems engineer. From 1984 to 2006 she served in a series of positions at the utilities, including vice president of human resources and vice president of administrative services for SoCalGas; president of SoCalGas operations for residential, small-commercial and industrial customers; and CFO of SDG&E and SoCalGas. Also promoted were Jessie Knight Jr., who becomes CEO of SDG&E; Michael Niggli will be COO at the combination utility; Michael Allman will be the CEO of SoCalGas; Anne Smith will be COO of the gas utility; Jeffrey Martin will be CEO of Sempra Generation; and Steven Davis will become the holding company’s vice president of investor relations.
People
El Paso Corp. CFO D. Mark Leland has been named president of the company’s newly created Midstream Group. Leland, also an executive vice president at El Paso, formerly was COO of GulfTerra Energy Partners LP, the company’s former midstream master limited partnership. “The North American natural gas industry is undergoing a period of rapid evolution, presenting new opportunities for synergies among our existing Pipeline and E&P [exploration and production] businesses and a midstream unit,” said CEO Doug Foshee. “We intend to reenter the midstream business at a measured pace.” John R. Sult, currently senior vice president and Chief Accounting Officer, was promoted to CFO of the Houston-based company. Sult is to remain CFO of the general partner for El Paso Pipeline Partners LP and will become a new member of the executive committee. Dane E. Whitehead, currently senior vice president and CFO of El Paso Exploration & Production Co., was promoted to senior vice president, Strategy and Enterprise Business Development. Whitehead, who also joins the executive committee, will be responsible for strategy and market analysis, acquisitions and divestitures, planning, investor and media relations and risk management. Susan B. Ortenstone, currently senior vice president, Human Resources and Administration, will become senior vice president and Chief Administrative Officer, where she will be responsible for all administrative service functions, including human resources, information technology, communications and community relations, and administrative services. Sult is to assume the role of CFO when El Paso files its 3Q2009 Form 10-Q. The other promotions are scheduled to take effect by year’s end.
Group Targets North Texas NGV Advancement
Developing transportation markets and a fueling infrastructure in North Texas for natural gas vehicles (NGV) is the goal of gas producers and other companies behind the newly formed Metroplex Natural Gas Vehicle Consortium.
October Futures Sink to Test Long-Standing Support
October futures values plunged on Wednesday as the newly minted front-month contract continued to approach the lows for the down move carved out by the preceding month. The October contract ended up closing Wednesday’s regular session at $2.715, down 10.6 cents from Tuesday’s finish.
