Questions

With several significant matters unresolved, including questions related to the procurement of property, Sempra Energy Resources is hesitant to predict when it will reach afinal decision on pursuing the construction of a 500 MW, natural gas-fueled power plant in Escondido, CA.

FERC moved with record speed to issue a certificate last week to Kern River Gas Transmission for its 135 MMcf/d mostly compression expansion to the natural gas-starved California market, but not all of the commissioners were happy with the sure-footed manner in which the project was approved.

FERC moved with record speed to issue a certificate last week to Kern River Gas Transmission for its 135 MMcf/d, mostly compression, expansion to the natural gas-starved California market, but not all of the commissioners were happy with the expedited manner in which the project was approved.

With questions continuing to arise about electric reliability in New York City this summer, the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) is actively seeking remedies to ensure the lights stay on. The commission approved several electric “demand response” programs to be implemented by Consolidated Edison Co. of New York that are designed to reduce demand for electricity during peak periods.

With questions continuing to arise about electric reliability inNew York City this summer, the New York Public Service Commission(NYPSC) is actively seeking remedies to ensure the lights stay on.The commission approved several electric “demand response” programsto be implemented by Consolidated Edison Co. of New York that aredesigned to reduce demand for electricity during peak periods.

As legislators across the nation continue to log concerns fromtheir constituents about spiking natural gas costs, Ohio is one ofthe states that has decided to launch an investigation. The stateis in the process of developing a special bipartisan committeecomprised of House and Senate members to examine why gas prices areso high.

In an attempt to find the cause of rising natural gas priceswhile protecting consumers from rate increases, the Ohio Consumers’Council (OCC) late last week filed a petition with the PublicUtilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) requesting an investigationinto the current state of the natural gas industry in Ohio.

The legislative architect of California’s 1996 precedent-settingelectric industry restructuring law Monday proposed a $2 billionreserve be carved out of the state’s next fiscal budget to fund astate effort to buy or build new generation plants. Theannouncement came at the same time the state energy commission,which approves all new power plants of 50 MW or larger, released alegislatively mandated report that concludes the state’s generationresources are adequate, and temporary peaking plants are not neededfor the upcoming summer.

Amid persistent questions about supplies and sustained highprices, the Canadian natural gas community heard a reassuring word— it is not an issue in the federal election, and its defendersare armed with answers if critics step forward before the Nov. 27vote. The good word — and the defense arsenal — came from theNational Energy Board, in a 61-page market assessment released asthe Canadian campaign entered its second week at the same time asfalling thermometers signaled the onset of heating season.