People

Elizabeth Anne “Betsy” Moler, former deputy secretary of theU.S. Department of Energy and chair of the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission, is leaving the public sector for privatepractice at a major law firm. Moler will become a partner and serveas co-chair of Vinson &amp Elkins LLP’s electric power practice. AtVinson &amp Elkins, Moler will focus on the restructuring of theNorth American power industry and on the increasing role ofcompetition in the gas business, both areas where she has played amajor role while in government. “I hope to put my 30 years ofgovernment experience to good use advising private sector clientsas they chart a course through the challenges posed by anincreasingly competitive business environment. Virtually all of myprofessional experience has been in the energy area, so Vinson &ampElkins, with its large and varied energy practice, seems like aperfect fit for me.” Moler played a significant role in FERC’sdevelopment and implementation of Order No. 636 and was chair ofthe FERC when it issued its Order No. 888, which opened thenation’s electric transmission grid. Vinson &amp Elkins has 580lawyers with more than 175 involved in various aspects of itsenergy practice. The firm has offices in Austin, TX; Beijing,Dallas, Houston, London, Moscow, New York, Singapore, andWashington, D.C.

With promises for the “de-carbonization of energy,” more stateinvolvement in Energy Department’s initiatives, and “help for ourown people-domestic oil and gas producers,” the new DOE SecretaryBill Richardson sparked a standing ovation from approximately 400attendees at the DOE-NARUC Natural Gas Conference in Pittsburghlast week.

Arthur L. Smith resigned as chairman and CEO of Torch EnergyAdvisors Inc. effective immediately. Smith joined the Houston-basedcompany June 1, 1998 from John S. Herold Inc. Torch PresidentKenneth E. White Jr. said the board of employee-owned Torch andSmith “concluded that their operational and strategic differenceswould best be resolved by going in separate directions.” Torchintends to focus on providing outsourcing services and capital tothe upstream oil and gas industry. Smith plans to focus his effortson personal energy investments in North America, the company said.Torch founder J.P. Bryan became senior managing director.

Duke Energy Power Services (DEPS) named David L. Rehn presidentand chief executive officer. Rehn first joined Duke Power’s designengineering department in 1975. As an engineering project managerin the mid-1980s, he was instrumental in the development of the BadCreek Hydroelectric Station. He replaces Paula Rosput, who departedto become president and COO of Atlanta Gas Light Co.

The Coastal Corp. said Herbert W. Cole was elected vicepresident, accounting policy and operational compliance, of CoastalOil &amp Gas. Cole will be responsible for regulatory accounting,contract compliance and special projects for Coastal’s explorationand production (E&ampP) business. Cole joined Coastal in 1984 andhas served as assistant controller, budgeting and financialaccounting of Coastal Oil &amp Gas since 1995.

People that had been dismissing Tropical Storm Frances as barelya blip on the gas market’s radar screen Wednesday were paying muchcloser attention Thursday as production outages grew and cashprices went up in the neighborhood of a dime at nearly all points.Prices in areas not directly affected by the storm outages werebeing pulled up largely by the futures screen’s big jump, sourcessaid. Also, the AGA’s Wednesday afternoon report of a smallish 35Bcf in storage withdrawals last week helped set the stage for priceincreases everywhere, a Texas marketer said.

The Coastal Corp. said Herbert W. Cole was elected vicepresident, accounting policy and operational compliance, of CoastalOil & Gas. Cole will be responsible for regulatory accounting,contract compliance and special projects for Coastal’s explorationand production (E&P) business. Cole joined Coastal in 1984 andhas served as assistant controller, budgeting and financialaccounting of Coastal Oil & Gas since 1995.