Relatively

Touting the potential for large energy savings at relatively low costs, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) unveiled a research report Wednesday that concludes 20-30% reductions in energy consumption are possible nationally from an aggressive national energy efficiency policy. CFA Research Director Mark Cooper concluded that aggressive efficiency programs can “ensure an affordable energy future.”

The number of natural gas-fired generating units vulnerable to fuel quality issues related to unconventional gas resources and liquefied natural gas (LNG) “is relatively low, 3.6% of all existing capacity,” according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s (NERC) “2009/2010 Winter Reliability Assessment” of power resources.

The number of natural gas-fired generating units vulnerable to fuel quality issues related to unconventional gas resources and liquefied natural gas (LNG) “is relatively low, 3.6% of all existing capacity,” according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s (NERC) “2009/2010 Winter Reliability Assessment” of power resources.

Under its still relatively new natural gas transmission/storage system and firm access rights (FAR), including an independent system operator, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) won three and lost two minimum-flow contracts at the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) business meeting Thursday in San Francisco. The estimated cost of the three approved deals is $2.6 million, the CPUC said.

Xcel Energy said natural gas use by Colorado customers will likely be higher in September, but prices for the fuel will stay relatively flat. Xcel predicted that average customer bills next month will be lower than they were in September 2008.

The financial risk to companies in the S&P 500 would vary considerably under a carbon emission cap-and-trade program, an analysis has found. Earnings of most companies would be “relatively unaffected,” but some could face costs that could more than offset all their earnings, according to a report by the nonprofit Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRC) and Trucost, a carbon data analyst.

The financial risk to companies in the S&P 500 would vary considerably under a carbon emission cap-and-trade program, an analysis has found. Earnings of most companies would be “relatively unaffected,” but some could face costs that could more than offset all their earnings, according to a report by the nonprofit Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRC) and Trucost, a carbon data analyst.

After nearly a week and a half of run-ups at all or nearly all points in the face of relatively little weather-based demand, the cash market finally bowed to the reality of its lack of fundamental support Wednesday by softening at a majority of points. The declines occurred despite substantive prior-day screen support in the form of Tuesday’s 14.7-cent gain by June futures. That likely limited most drops to about a dime or less.

Price movement was mixed Monday, but higher quotes clearly outnumbered losses. Heating load was relatively light outside much of the West, leading one source to conclude that cash gains were largely driven by the previous Friday’s 13.2-cent advance by March futures along with an assist from the post-weekend return of industrial demand and modest continuing screen strength Monday morning.