Receives

Getting over its last major regulatory hurdle unscathed, Dallas-based Atmos Energy Corp. said it expects to close its $195 million acquisition of privately-held Mississippi Valley Gas Co. by Dec. 1. The company said it received approval Tuesday from the Mississippi Public Service Commission to form the state’s largest natural gas utility.

Washington, DC-based WGL Holdings, Inc. said last week that its Washington Gas Light Co. subsidiary has received a payment of $14.8 million from a weather insurance policy purchased to reduce the impact of warm weather on financial results. The utility, which serves more than 930,000 customers throughout Washington, DC, said it generates the majority of its revenues and profits from the delivery of gas during the winter heating season and is the beneficiary under the policy.

Washington, DC-based WGL Holdings, Inc. said Monday that its Washington Gas Light Co. subsidiary has received a payment of $14.8 million from a weather insurance policy purchased to reduce the impact of warm weather on financial results. The utility, which serves more than 930,000 customers throughout Washington, DC, said it generates the majority of its revenues and profits from the delivery of gas during the winter heating season and is the beneficiary under the policy.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) has approved Virginia Natural Gas’ (VNG) request to use a weather normalization adjustment (WNA) to reduce the effect of weather on customer’s natural gas bills. The company also committed not to file for a general rate increase for at least two years.

Two months after it was applied for, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) said it has approved the implementation of the Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio natural gas customer choice program. Under the program, customers can purchase gas from a competitive supplier and Vectren will continue to deliver that gas to their home or business. In addition, customers can now take advantage of joining governmental aggregating groups, which pool residents together to negotiate a better natural gas rate.

Two months after it was applied for, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on Friday approved the implementation of the Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio natural gas customer choice program. Under the program, customers can purchase gas from a competitive supplier and Vectren will continue to deliver that gas to their home or business. In addition, customers can now take advantage of joining governmental aggregating groups, which pool residents together to negotiate a better natural gas rate.

Phillips Petroleum Co. and Conoco Inc. reported Tuesday that shareholders of both companies have separately voted to approve the proposed merger of equals. The companies said that the merger is expected to be completed in the second half of 2002, pending expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and other customary closing conditions.

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm announced Thursday that Energy America, North America’s largest unregulated energy wholesale company, will pay refunds to consumers, reform its marketing practices, and pay the state’s costs for its alleged violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. The action came in response to over 600 customer complaints regarding Energy America’s Michigan natural gas marketing practices.

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm announced Thursday that Energy America, North America’s largest unregulated energy wholesale company, will pay refunds to consumers, reform its marketing practices, and pay the state’s costs for its alleged violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. The action came in response to over 600 customer complaints regarding Energy America’s Michigan natural gas marketing practices.