Reality

As bandwidth trading moves from idea to reality, its evolution is looking more like the development of trading in the power and natural gas markets, according to Nick Cioll, senior vice-president for trading operations at RateXchange. Cioll spoke yesterday at NGI’s GasMart/Power 2001 conference in Tampa, FL. Cioll was joined by Louis Hunsucker, a bandwidth trader with Williams Communications, on a panel called “The Complete Utility: Adding Broadband.”

Uniform electricity markets across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions moved one step closer to becoming reality last week as electricity market administrators, Independent System Operator (ISO) New England Inc. and PJM Interconnection LLC, reported that they have teamed up with systems developer ALSTOM ESCA Corp. to formalize an agreement that will standardize their electricity markets. The ISOs also believe the model could be adopted by wholesale markets across the country.

Uniform electricity markets across the Northeast andMid-Atlantic regions moved one step closer to becoming reality onThursday as electricity market administrators, Independent SystemOperator (ISO) New England Inc. and PJM Interconnection LLC,reported that they have teamed up with systems developer ALSTOMESCA Corp. with the intent to formalize an agreement that willstandardize their electricity markets. The ISOs also believe themodel could be adopted by wholesale markets across the country.

Rumors last week about a potential marriage between Mid-Atlanticutilities Potomac Electric Power and Conectiv turned out to be onthe money. The two companies announced yesterday that Pepco willbuy Conectiv for a combination of cash and stock valued at $2.2billion or $25/CIV share, a 19% premium compared to Friday’s close.

The threat of rolling blackouts hovering over California formore than a month became a reality Wednesday when the state gridoperator (Cal-ISO) ordered them, first, for northern California,and later in the day spreading them to the southern half of thestate.

The North Baja Pipeline Project moved to within one step of becoming reality late last week as Mexico’s Comision Reguladora de Energia (CRE) issued a natural gas transportation permit to Sempra Energy International for the construction of the 135-mile Mexican segment of the $230 million, 215-mile Arizona-to-Mexico pipeline.

The North Baja Pipeline Project moved to within one step ofbecoming reality yesterday as Mexico’s Comision Reguladora deEnergia (CRE) issued a natural gas transportation permit to SempraEnergy International for the construction of the 135-mile Mexicansegment of the $230 million, 215-mile Arizona to Mexico pipeline.

Electric restructuring is almost a reality for Ohio consumersstatewide as American Electric Power’s (AEP) transition plan andMonongahela Power’s plan were approved by the Public UtilitiesCommission of Ohio. AEP’s and Monongahela’s Ohio customers will nowjoin the customers of the other three utilities in enjoying thefreedom of choosing their electricity supplier, with servicestarting as early as Jan. 1.

Electric restructuring is almost a reality for Ohio consumersstatewide as American Electric Power’s (AEP) transition plan wasthe latest to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission ofOhio. AEP’s Ohio customers will now have the freedom of choosingtheir electricity supplier, with service starting as early as Jan.1.