Proposals

As part of a package of proposed legislation that is expected to emerge by the end of the month, California’s leading legislator examining wholesale energy market participants indicated on Tuesday that legislation will be introduced related to published natural gas prices in trade publications that compile indexes used by regulators and market participants. The new law could preclude state regulators from using the price indexes for setting electricity rates.

As part of a package of proposed legislation that is expected to emerge by the end of the month, California’s leading legislator examining wholesale energy market participants indicated on Tuesday that legislation will be introduced related to published natural gas prices in trade publications that compile indexes used by regulators and market participants. The new law could preclude state regulators from using the price indexes for setting electricity rates.

Proposals, alternatives and mitigating measures covering two proposed offshore oil and natural gas lease sales of 1.5 million acres in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) have been identified by the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS). The two proposed sales under consideration are included in the MMS 2002-2007 oil and gas leasing program. Sale 189 is tentatively scheduled for December 2003, and Sale 197 is proposed for March 2005.

Proposals, alternatives and mitigating measures covering two proposed offshore oil and natural gas lease sales of 1.5 million acres in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) have been identified by the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS). The two proposed sales under consideration are included in the MMS 2002-2007 oil and gas leasing program. Sale 189 is tentatively scheduled for December 2003, and Sale 197 is proposed for March 2005.

A federal bankruptcy judge Wednesday cleared the way for creditors to vote on competing reorganization plans in the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Chapter 11 case during a two-month period beginning June 17. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 1 before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali in San Francisco. Creditors are to file their confirmation objections to either plan by July 17; voting will end Aug. 12.

The Senate last week scaled back proposals in its omnibus energy bill that sought to expand the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review energy mergers, remedy “unjust” electricity rates, award market-based rate authority and order the construction of transmission facilities.

The Senate has scaled back proposals in its omnibus energy bill that would have expanded the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review energy mergers, remedy “unjust” electricity rates, award market-based rate authority and order the construction of transmission facilities.

If the Pacific Northwest gets most of the 28,000 MW of natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plants now planned for the region, its natural gas demand will shoot up to 2.5 times current levels, according to an engineer and gas analyst from the region who spoke last week at a two-day industry conference in Seattle.

If the Pacific Northwest gets most of the 28,000 MW of natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plants now planned for the region, its natural gas demand will shoot up to 2.5 times current levels, according to an engineer and gas analyst from the region who spoke last week at a two-day industry conference in Seattle.