Opposed

Southwest local distribution utilities and municipal distributors have called on FERC to reject, or convene a technical conference to consider, El Paso Natural Gas’ application to boost export capacity on the Samalayuca Lateral by about 100 MMcf/d to meet natural gas demand in northern Mexico. They argue that such action would deprive existing El Paso customers of already-tight capacity on the pipeline’s South Mainline.

Southwest local distribution utilities and municipal distributors have called on FERC to reject, or convene a technical conference to consider, El Paso Natural Gas’ application to boost export capacity on the Samalayuca Lateral by about 100 MMcf/d to meet natural gas demand in northern Mexico. They argue that such action would deprive existing El Paso customers of already-tight capacity on the pipeline’s South Mainline.

Independent power marketers are opposed to any extension of theCalifornia Independent System Operator’s (Cal-ISO) purchase pricecap authority, saying it would give the Cal-ISO “unfettered”control over wholesale electric market prices in the state. Butinvestor-owned utility, Southern California Edison, and theCalifornia Power Exchange (Cal-PX) see an upside to the Cal-ISO’srequest.

Any attempt by Congress to re-regulate natural gas prices to putan end to the escalation in wholesale prices seen this year wouldbe a “mistake,” said FERC Chairman James Hoecker, even though hebelieves $4 gas is too high.

Dynegy Inc. and Chevron Corp. want FERC to either block FloridaGas Transmission’s (FGT) proposed abandonment and sale of 70 milesof mainline and associated facilities in the southern part of Texasor “at a minimum” ensure the continuity of transportation servicethere.

Dynegy Inc. and Chevron Corp. want FERC to either block FloridaGas Transmission’s (FGT) proposed abandonment and sale of 70 milesof mainline and associated facilities in the southern part of Texasor “at a minimum” ensure the continuity of transportation servicethere.

Comments filed with the Maine Public Utility Commission showmarketers are opposed to all but the minimum registrationrequirements to participate in retail gas competition, while thestate’s new LDCs would like a significant amount of commissionoversight, particularly in the small customer market. The commentswere in response to the PUC’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) into theRegulation of Gas Marketers, which was issued late last month.

Several power marketers and utilities have called on FERC todismiss a complaint by an Indiana steelmaker that accuses AmericanElectric Power (AEP) and unnamed power marketers of capitalizing onthe upheaval in the Midwest electricity markets in June by engagingin “abusive price gouging.”

Columbia Gas Transmission’s proposal to sell its Project Pennytransmission system in western New York and northwesternPennsylvania to Norse Pipeline LLC, which seeks to refunctionalizethe facilities as gathering, is a “thinly-veiled attempt todramatically increase” rates to move gas on the system atproducers’ expense, charged an independent producer.