FPL Energy Inc., a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc. plans to build,own and operate a 700 MW gas-fired power plant in Bellingham, MA.FPL Energy signed a purchase agreement with Massachusetts-basedInfrastructure Development Co. (IDC) for the right to build theplant. IDC planned the project, has been working with localcommunities and the state to obtain regulatory approvals and willcontinue to assist FPL Energy with development. Information on theplant’s projected gas consumption was unavailable.
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Western Seeking CA Utility Certificate
Western Gas Resources-California last week applied to theCalifornia Public Utilities Commission to operate a Californiautility. Western-California, a subsidiary of Western Gas Resources,has acquired an option to buy the Steelhead Pipeline System andportions of the Sacramento River Gas System in northern Californiafor an undisclosed sum. Western is seeking to change the systems’status from proprietary to public utility.
Industry Briefs
Pennaco Energy and TransMontaigne Inc. subsidiary Bear PawEnergy signed a gathering agreement in which Bear Paw will buildand operate a new gathering line in the Powder River Basin ofnortheastern Wyoming and provide services to about 10% of Pennaco’scoal-bed methane program in the basin. The agreement covers thePennaco “South Gillette,” WY contract area, including over 8,600gross leasehold acres and 200 potential well locations. Pennaco hasdrilled and is in the process of testing and completing its first100 wells in the area. The Bear Paw gathering systems will connectPennaco’s gas wells to several major pipelines, including theWestern Gas Resources MIGC Pipeline, currently transporting up to130 MMcf/d of coal-bed gas, the recently announced Fort Union GasPipeline projected to be in service by September of this year, andthe proposed Thunder Creek Pipeline. The remaining 90% of Pennaco’s312,000 net acres in the Powder River will be devoted to FortUnion.
Calpine Plant to Burn Sable Gas
Calpine Corp., a San Jose-based independent power company,announced plans to build, own and operate a 540-megawatt gas-firedpower plant in Westbrook, ME. Calpine acquired development rightsfor the Westbrook Power Plant from Genesis Power Corp. of Needham,MA. Construction of the $300 million facility is scheduled to beginlater this month. The plant, which will burn about 90 MMcf/d, isscheduled to begin power deliveries as early as November 2000 andwill serve the New England market. Westbrook is Calpine’s fourthcombined-cycle facility under development in the New Englandmarket.
More Gas-Fired Generation Slated for TX
Florida-based FPL Energy Inc. said it will build, own andoperate a 1,000 MW, gas-fired power plant in Paris, TX, that willbe one of the largest independent generation projects in the state.Electricity generated at the site, about 100 miles northeast ofDallas, will be sold primarily in the Texas wholesale market. Threefirms, Texas Utilities Electric Co., Texas-New Mexico Power, andConstellation Power Source, have contracts to buy 700 MW of theplant’s output for various periods. Construction of thecombined-cycle plant is to begin immediately. Commercial operationis scheduled for mid-2000. The maximum daily quantity of gas thatwould consumed by the plant is 170,000 Dth/d.
Duke Leases South Bay Power Plant
Duke Energy Power Services (DEPS) has signed a 10-year leasewith the Port of San Diego to operate and eventually replace the706 MW South Bay Power Plant located just south of San Diego in thecity of Chula Vista.
Texas Utilities, ServiceMaster Offering Energy Management
Texas Utilities Co. subsidiary TU Integrated Solutions formed astrategic venture with ServiceMaster to own and operate an energymanagement business. The new venture has acquired all the assets ofServiceMaster Energy Management (SEM), currently a division ofServiceMaster, and will be owned 85% by Texas Utilities and 15% byServiceMaster. Texas Utilities will invest $46 million for itsshare of the venture.
TransCanada Wins Mexican Pipeline Bid.
TransCanada del Bajio was awarded a permit to build and operatea system to transport gas from Calamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico, tothe capital city of Aquascalientes. Mexico’s Energy RegulatoryCommission (CRE) awarded the permit to the consortium made up of TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. (95%) and Mexico’s Corporacion GUTSA(5%). The project entails construction of a 126-mile network of 12-and 16-inch pipelines with capacity of 90 MMcf/d. TransCanada delBajio will invest $56.4 million during the first five years of thesystem’s operation. The project is intended to supply gas to theBajio geographic zone whose distribution permit has been put up forbidding by the CRE. The winner of this permit will be announced byDec. 17.
Peoples, Dominion to Build Power Plant
Peoples Energy and Dominion Energy announced they plan todevelop and operate a 300 MW gas-fired electric generating peakingfacility near Elwood, IL, 60 miles southwest of Chicago. The $90million project is expected to be completed in time to providepower to the grid in summer 1999.