Reflecting conditions of depressed demand and surplus supplies in the Pacific Northwest, Williams’ Northwest Pipeline Co. has decided to halt plans for a 172-mile extension of 36- and 30-inch diameter pipelines that was set to provide another 500 MMcf/d of capacity into the region’s Interstate 5 corridor.
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Williams Pulls Plug on Northwest Pipeline Expansion
Reflecting conditions of depressed demand and surplus supplies in the Pacific Northwest, Williams’ Northwest Pipeline Co. has decided to halt plans for a 172-mile extension of 36- and 30-inch diameter pipelines that was set to provide another 500 MMcf/d of capacity into the region’s Interstate 5 corridor.
Interior Accused of Suppressing Comments Supporting OCS Leasing
A coalition of House lawmakers has accused the Interior Department of “deliberately” withholding comments reflecting the public’s strong support for the five-year oil and natural leasing plan for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that was drafted in the final days of the Bush administration.
Interior Accused of Suppressing Comments Supporting OCS Leasing
A coalition of House lawmakers has accused the Interior Department of “deliberately” withholding comments reflecting the public’s strong support for the five-year oil and natural leasing plan for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that was drafted in the final days of the Bush administration.
Interior Accused of Suppressing Comments Supporting OCS Leasing
A coalition of House lawmakers has accused the Interior Department of “deliberately” withholding comments reflecting the public’s strong support for the five-year oil and natural leasing plan for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that was drafted in the final days of the Bush administration.
Texas Drilling, Employment Continue to Falter
Drilling activity in Texas declined steadily through April, reflecting “very weak natural gas markets and defying a crude price rally,” according to the Texas Petro Index (TPI), which was issued on Friday. Employment in the state’s exploration and production (E&P) industry has dropped to its lowest level since January 2008.
Texas Drilling, Employment Continue to Falter
Drilling activity in Texas declined steadily through April, reflecting “very weak natural gas markets and defying a crude price rally,” according to the Texas Petro Index (TPI), which was issued on Friday. Employment in the state’s exploration and production (E&P) industry has dropped to its lowest level since January 2008.
Idaho Regulators Back Legislation for More Consumer Relief
Reflecting the worsening economy’s impact on low-income utility customers, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) said Wednesday it supports new state legislation allowing the state’s private-sector utilities to propose additional programs, policies and rates to help assist low-income energy utility customers. The PUC cited its staff report issued in January, “Energy Affordability Final Report,” following a series of workshops held during the last half of 2008.
Oregon PUC Approves Gas Rate Changes
Reflecting different utility strategies for buying wholesale supplies, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) last Friday approved annual rate changes for the state’s three private-sector natural gas distribution utilities. Two of the changes result in increases and the third is a decrease in retail rates. All are effective Saturday (Nov. 1).
Industry Brief
Avista Utilities increased rates for its gas and electricity customers in Idaho Wednesday, reflecting earlier decisions by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Retail gas utility rates increased by $3.9 million, and electric retail services were boosted $23.2 million. The PUC approved a settlement among the utility, PUC staff and others that increases electric and gas rates an average of 11.98% and 4.7%, respectively. This compares to Avista’s original filing seeking increases of 16.7% and 5.8% for electric and gas retail customers, respectively. Avista serves 72,000 gas and 120,000 electric customers in northern Idaho. “This is the first Avista general rate case since 2004; however, it comes on top of [the utility’s] annual power cost adjustment (PCA) and purchased gas cost adjustment (PGA) rate changes, both of which are adjusted annually Oct. 1,” said the PUC, which noted the PCA and PGA hikes amount to increases of $3.43 and $2.96/month, respectively. “When Avista originally filed its gas cost surcharge last Aug. 18 it requested a 14.2% increase, but declining wholesale gas prices since then and the company’s ability to purchase additional gas for the coming year resulted in the company adjusting its filing on Sept. 15 down to 4%.” The PUC approved new authorized profit levels for the utility — an 8.45% rate of return and a 10.2% return on equity.