Perception

With a general perception that it is a cleaner industry relative to individual motor vehicles, the mass transit industry is increasingly the competitive battleground for transportation fuel providers — traditional gasoline and diesel, along with the upcoming alternatives, such as natural gas, biofuels and hybrid electric technology. Within the sector, some options are cleaner than others, according to a research report by Boulder, CO-based Pike Research LLC.

A Duke University study released Monday found high levels of leaked methane in well water collected near shale gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) sites in the Marcellus Shale play. However, Duke researchers said there was no evidence that fracking fluids contaminated the water wells.

The expiring August natural gas futures contract finished on a high note Wednesday as traders suggested the perception of upward price momentum might be enough to carry the market past $5. August closed up 9.9 cents to $4.774 and September added 7.2 cents to $4.718. September crude oil dropped 51 cents to $76.99/bbl.

Mixed price movement was even more mixed than usual Tuesday as big and small losses were arrayed against big and small gains. Growing perception that the developing eastern cold snap won’t be quite as severe as earlier expected, combined with Monday’s 21.4-cent drop by December futures, resulted in softness across much of the East.

With the perception growing in the industry that California won’t site a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal anytime soon, the state legislature earlier this month moved Senate Bill (SB) 412 out of the Senate to the lower house Assembly, which would effectively delay for another year action on a proposed LNG receiving site pending a broad natural gas needs study by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Major energy utilities in the state are skeptical because of some of the bill’s provisions. The Assembly will take up the bill later this month or in July before a summer legislative recess.

With the perception growing in the industry that California won’t site a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal anytime soon, the state legislature earlier this month moved Senate Bill (SB) 412 out of the Senate to the lower house Assembly, which would effectively delay for another year action on a proposed LNG receiving site pending a broad natural gas needs study by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Major energy utilities in the state are skeptical because of some of the bill’s provisions. The Assembly will take up the bill later this month or in July before a summer legislative recess.

As the gas industry enters the peak summer demand period, market perception has largely flip-flopped from fear of shortage to the assumption of adequate supply for power generation and storage injections despite the growth of power demand this year, according to Energy Security Analysis, Inc. (ESAI). “We can make it now,” appears to be the prevailing attitude, the research and consultation firm said.

As the gas industry enters the peak summer demand period, market perception has largely flip-flopped from fear of shortage to the assumption of adequate supply for power generation and storage injections despite the growth of power demand this year, according to Energy Security Analysis, Inc. (ESAI). “We can make it now,” appears to be the prevailing attitude, the research and consultation firm said.

As the gas industry enters the peak summer demand period, market perception has largely flip-flopped from fear of shortage to the assumption of adequate supply for power generation and storage injections despite the growth of power demand this year, according to Energy Security Analysis, Inc. (ESAI). “We can make it now,” appears to be the prevailing attitude, the research and consultation firm said.