Providing

Reliant Energy Thermal Systems, an unregulated affiliate ofReliant Energy’s Retail Group, is providing energy managementservices to the Astrodomain Complex for SMG/LMI, contractor to theHarris County (TX) Management Corp. The stadium and exhibitioncomplex is made up of Houston’s Astrodome, Astrohall andAstroArena. SMG/LMI contracted with Reliant Energy Thermal Systemsfor an initial three-year period to provide operation andmaintenance of the cooling and heating plants, including HVAC(heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) systems; maintenanceof the plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems; and utilitymanagement and new plant consulting services. The effective date ofthe contract was April 1, with renewal options. Other terms are notbeing disclosed.

CNG Transmission is offering customers free title transfertracking (TTT), providing them with two accounting locations tonominate and transfer titles on the CNGT system. “We will offerfree TTT at least until Oct. 1, 2000,” said Vickie Coen, customeranalyst. “At that time we will evaluate the service to determinewhether the company will charge for the service at a rate of 84cents per transaction.”

CNG Transmission is offering shippers free title transfertracking (TTT), providing them with two accounting locations tonominate and transfer titles on the CNGT system.

El Paso Merchant Energy Co. made its first foray into providingfuel to Mexico when it signed a 25-year gas supply contract withFuerza y Energia De Hermosillo SA, a subsidiary of Spain’s UnionFenosa Group, to serve Mexico’s Hermosillo power plant. El Pasowill supply up to 43 MMcf/d to the 225 MW combined cycle powerplant. The plant is expected to begin testing in early 2001 andbegin commercial operation summer 2001.

El Paso Merchant Energy Co. made its first foray into providingfuel to Mexico when it signed a 25-year gas supply contract withFuerza y Energia De Hermosillo SA, a subsidiary of Spain’s UnionFenosa Group, to serve Mexico’s Hermosillo power plant. El Pasowill supply up to 43 MMcf/d to the 225 MW combined cycle powerplant. The plant is expected to begin testing in early 2001 andbegin commercial operation summer 2001.

Providing a lengthy list of expected merger benefits,Commonwealth Edison and PECO Energy told FERC and the PennsylvaniaPUC in applications yesterday that they expect approval in nearrecord time. They said the deal will “enhance electric competition,foster FERC’s independent transmission system initiatives, protectboth wholesale and retail customers, and ensure sufficient, safe,reliable, low-cost and clean energy for consumers.” They alsobelieve the merger meets all FERC criteria. A notice ofreorganization is expected to be filed shortly with the IllinoisCommerce Commission, the companies said.

Costilla Energy Inc. of Midland, TX, got another reprieve on itsdebt repayment when its bank credit facility was amended providingfor an extension of the $10.2 million principal payment until June18. The payment was due yesterday after a previous extension. Theindependent oil and gas company is in the process of divesting itsRocky Mountain oil and gas properties.

The proposed rulemaking calling for a relaxation of FERC’srestrictive policy for off-the-record communications is “essentialto providing timely and adequate information” for the Commissionstaff to conduct environmental reviews of proposed pipelineprojects, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA)said last week.

El Paso Field Services said its Global Compression Project inthe San Juan Basin is now complete, providing producers with anadditional 40,000 horsepower of compression, new gas dehydrationfacilities and 54 miles of new pipeline looping.