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Two billion-dollar state regulatory cases crucial to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) future natural gas operations are in limbo following the recent email-driven communications violations scandal involving the combination utility and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) (see Daily GPI, Sept. 16).

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is considering rule changes intended to reduce the costs of contested natural gas utility rate cases, which are ultimately passed on to consumers. While utilities have voiced support, municipalities across Texas claim the changes would deter challenges to rate hikes.

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp.’s (MHR) first Utica Shale well in West Virginia — the most southeastern within its Appalachia portfolio — has tested at a peak monster rate of 46.6 MMcf/d, the highest flow rate announced in the region to date.

About 15 months since its initial public offering, Fort Worth, TX-based Athlon Energy (ATHL) has continued to win praise from analysts who follow the company. The latest results from a trio of Midland Basin wells brought the company more of the same.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co., still facing multi-billion-dollar penalties for its natural gas system safety lapses, was granted a 2014 general rate increase of $460 million, or 6.9% above current rates, by California regulators Thursday with heavy implications for its current and future safety programs. This case is separate from still-pending pipeline penalty cases (see Daily GPI, May 7, 2013).

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.’s latest Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) well results, announced Wednesday, were a bit of a disappointment after a string of successes in the emerging play.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed an industry-backed bill Wednesday to modify the state tax rate on gross oil and natural gas production, setting a 2% tax rate for the first 36 months of production and setting the same rate for both horizontal and vertical wells.

Legislation that provides for a permanent, lowered tax rate for new oil and natural gas wells in Oklahoma is on its way to Gov. Mary Fallin, who is expected to sign it, after passing both houses of the state legislature.

An analysis conducted by Ernst & Young LLP (EY) on behalf of a trade group representing top executives from Ohio’s leading businesses has concluded that a proposed severance tax increase would leave its effective rate the lowest among the nation’s leading oil and gas producing states.