Plant

With imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) expected to take on a bigger role in U.S. energy markets, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham plans to tour the soon-to-be-reactivated Cove Point LNG terminal in eastern Maryland today to become acquainted first-hand with the frozen fuel that is attracting so much attention.

With imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) expected to take on a bigger role in U.S. energy markets, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said Wednesday he plans to tour the soon-to-be-reactivated Cove Point LNG terminal in eastern Maryland next week to become acquainted first-hand with the fuel that is attracting so much attention.

Columbia Gas (TCO) cited a force majeure situation at the Chesapeake LNG plant in saying shippers under Rate Schedules X-131, X-132 and X-133 will be entitled to flow on a daily basis only one-fourth of their Liquefaction Demand volumes. The restriction began Thursday and will remain in effect until the situation is remedied, TCO said. It also issued an OFO to shippers under the FSS rate schedule that also have FT capacity and to NTS rate schedule customers. The OFO will become effective at 10 a.m. EST Sunday. TCO said the order was issued to preserve the integrity of its storage fields and operating performance, and to maintain its ability to provide no-notice service. See the bulletin board for details of OFO compliance.

Assets may be sold, the domestic and global power plant expansions may be curtailed, but one thing is certain: Mirant has no intention of exiting the risk marketing and trading arena.

Driven in recent years by a surge of electric power plant construction that is only now subsiding, the accompanying boom in new natural gas pipeline projects and expansions is showing signs of exhaustion, according to a new report from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P).

Driven in recent years by a surge of electric power plant construction that is only now subsiding, the accompanying boom in new natural gas pipeline projects and expansions is showing signs of exhaustion, according to a new report from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P).

Merchant natural gas storage operators have joined their counterpart power plant operators in the crosshair of the California Public Utilities Commission, based on remarks Monday at a Canadian energy conference by the CPUC’s president, Loretta Lynch. State regulators likely will be examining the market power and wholesale price manipulation issues related to gas storage next year, she told an industry gathering in Calgary, as part of a broader reregulation effort.

Merchant natural gas storage operators have joined their counterpart power plant operators in the crosshair of the California Public Utilities Commission, based on remarks Monday at a Canadian energy conference by the CPUC’s president, Loretta Lynch. State regulators likely will be examining the market power and wholesale price manipulation issues related to gas storage next year, she told an industry gathering in Calgary, as part of a broader reregulation effort.

Wisconsin Public Service Corp. (WPS) signed agreements to purchase the 180 MW De Pere Energy Center from Calpine for $120 million and to enter into a $250 million power purchase agreement for up to 235 MW of capacity and energy for 10 years from Calpine’s proposed Sherry Energy Center to be located near Marshfield, MI.