Ontario

Toronto-based Enbridge Gas Distribution has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to adjust the gas supply cost portion of its rates effective Thursday (July 1). The regulated gas utility said the impact of the charges would vary based on the amount of gas used and whether customers buy their natural gas from the utility or a gas marketer. Enbridge delivers gas to about 1.7 million customers in its franchise area. Of those customers, about 60% buy their gas supply from the utility, and the other 40% buy their gas supply directly from marketers. The utility’s gas supply charge, the actual cost of the gas without mark-up, will increase 16%. The new residential gas supply price will be C28.6 cents per cubic meter, up from C24.07 cents. For a typical residential customer who buys gas from the utility, this represents an annual increase of C$122, Enbridge said. Customers who buy their gas from a marketer will continue to pay the price specified in their contract with that marketer. Enbridge said its delivery charge for all customers — whether they buy from the utility or a marketer — also will increase “slightly,” attributable to higher costs for natural gas storage, which are included in the delivery charge. For a typical residential customer, the annual increase to the delivery charge will be approximately C$4.

Toronto-based Enbridge Gas Distribution said Thursday it received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to adjust the gas supply cost portion of its rates effective July 1. The regulated gas utility said the impact of the charges would vary based on the amount of gas used and whether customers buy their natural gas from the utility or a gas marketer.

Because forest fires are currently active around TransCanada’s mainline Compressor Station 60 in northern Ontario, as a precaution the pipeline will not operate the Station 60 units until the situation improves. TransCanada said it does not anticipate the need for transportation restrictions unless changes in operational conditions or nomination levels require them.

Enbridge Gas Distribution said Monday it has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to adjust its gas prices upward on Jan. 1, increasing its gas supply charge from C19.095 cents per cubic meter to C21.254 cents per cubic meter. The subsidiary of Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. noted that due to costs that are directly linked to the price of the commodity, there is also a slight increase in its delivery charge.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator (IMO) of Ontario is soliciting bids for a “Multi-Region Natural Gas Infrastructure Study” covering the northeastern United States and Canada. IMO is coordinating the study on behalf of six other entities, including the New York ISO, PJM Interconnection, ISO New England, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council and the North American Electric Reliability Council.

Honeoye Storage Corp. is inviting offers for firm gas storage service from its storage facility in Ontario County, NY for the coming storage season. This storage service is being offered at market-based rates and interested parties should submit offers through Feb. 22 for service beginning on April 1, 2002 and ending on March 31, 2003.

Union Gas said the Dawn gas market hub in Ontario set newrecords in 2000 for the volume and number of title transfers. Thehub recorded over 2.7 Tcf of title transfers last year, more thandouble the 1999 total of 1.3 Tcf. On average about 7.6 Bcf/d of gaschanged hands up from 3.7 Bcf in 1999.

Honeoye Storage is holding a open season for firm storage servicefor up to five years at its Ontario County, NY facility. Up to 1,471MDth is available, starting as early as April, with a maximuminjection rate of 20,000 Dth/d and a withdrawal rate of 12,500Dth/d. The open season runs through Feb. 16. The facility connectswith Tennessee Gas and New York State Electric & Gas. Customersmake their own transportation arrangements. Storage service firstbegan at Honeoye, just south of Rochester, NY, in 1975 and five of itsoriginal customers continue to receive 4,293 MDth of service. TheHoneoye facility is owned by affiliates of KeySpan Energy,Consolidated Edison of New York, and its three developers, DaveDonohue, Dick Norman and Jacek Makowski. Check www.honeoye-gas-storage.com or call Donohue at 617-536-0202.

Honeoye Storage Corp. has announced an open season from Nov. 1to Nov. 15 for two key forms of interruptible gas storage servicefrom its facility in Ontario County, NY.