MichCon announced plans yesterday to give all of its 1.2 millionretail gas customers a choice of suppliers over the next threeyears. The Detroit-based distributor filed an application with theMichigan Public Service Commission for the program earlier thisweek. It is designed to begin next January with 225,000 customers.The plan also would reduce gas costs by 7% to $2.95/Mcf and freezethem for three years for those customers who continue to useMichCon as their gas provider.
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Price Upticks Recover Tuesday’s Lost Ground
Despite Tuesday’s overall price losses, the rising trend astrading progressed carried over into Wednesday and resulted inmoderate to strong rebounds. Increases mostly were in the range of5-10 cents and tended to cancel out the Tuesday declines.
Market Thumbs Nose at NGC’s Capacity
No one stepped up to take either of the two 593,000 MMBtu/dpackages of El Paso Natural Gas transportation capacity NGC postedfor release over the past 10 days. One package was offered thoughthe end of April and the other through December 1999. Theycomprised 40% of the 1.3 Bcf/d NGC holds on El Paso and 80% of itsaccess to the San Juan Basin under the purchased contracts. NGC’sMike Flinn said market players missed a huge opportunity. One thatNGC isn’t likely to offer again.
Tennessee Touts Open Season Results
Tennessee Gas Pipeline has signed precedent agreements for over1 Bcf/d in new deliveries through its Eastern Express Project 2000in New England and its Express 500 Project from the Gulf of Mexico,according to John Somerhalder, pipeline president.
Pipe, Power Line Squabble Over Construction Site
Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) told the FERCCentral Maine Power Co. (CMP) is off base in its argument againstsiting of construction activity for PNGTS’ Rumford-Jay lateral pipealong a CMP power line corridor. CMP is seeking a stay order fromthe Commission.
Grays Ferry Partners Battle Over Purchase Agreement
Trigen Energy announced it is mounting a legal battle to forcePECO Energy to honor terms of a Gray’s Ferry power purchaseagreement. Trigen said the Grays Ferry Cogeneration Partnershipreceived a letter from PECO saying the Pennsylvania utility couldnot pay the full contract price for electricity from the 150 MWcogeneration plant. The plant sells electricity to PECO and steamto Trigen-Philadelphia Energy. It is located in Philadelphia andwent into commercial operation earlier this year. Ironically,Exelon, a wholly owned subsidiary of PECO Energy, is a one-thirdowner in the project with Trigen and NRG Generating.
IPAA Sues DOI Over Royalty Rule
The Independent Petroleum Association (IPAA) has filed a lawsuitagainst the Department of the Interior, claiming that through a newnatural gas royalty regulation DOI’s Minerals Management Service iscollecting a larger share of royalties than it is entitled to.
PacifiCorp Ahead in Bidding War
A bidding war has erupted over British electric company TheEnergy Group with Texas Utilities formally entering the battleMonday with an offer of 810 pence (US$13.37) for each Energy Groupshare – 45 pence more than that of the initial bidder PacifiCorp.The Portland, OR firm was not to be out-penced, however, coming inwith a new offer of 820 pence. PacifiCorp said it has acquired45,987,079 EG shares, representing approximately 8.8% of theBritish Firm’s outstanding share capital.
AGA’s New President Promises to Hold Down Costs, Dues
It’s been a quick five months since David Parker took over thehelm at the American Gas Association but he’s already shown awillingness to pick up the cost-cutting flag and run with it.Parker said yesterday in an interview with NGI he’s made acommitment to the AGA board to continue restructuring measures,including changes that will further cut costs and hold down dues.