reliability

The Pacific Northwest needs a new infusion of natural gas supplies longer term, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, according to a variety of industry speakers at the Fifth Annual Northwest Energy Conference held last Wednesday in Portland and sponsored by the Northwest Gas Association (NWGA).

Citing reliability and corrosion concerns, Dominion East Ohio has filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) seeking approval to implement a “major” natural gas pipeline replacement program. Over a 25-year span, Dominion hopes to replace nearly 20% of the company’s 21,000-mile pipeline system.

The PJM Interconnection LLC this month completed its third auction using the new Reliability Pricing Model (RMP) capacity construct, and while PJM officials are upbeat about the trio of results, critics argue that it will take more than a few auctions to determine whether the model is a success or a failure.

Looking to increase system reliability of the eastern United States, Hardy Storage Co. LLC said last week that natural gas is now being stored in the nation’s newest storage field. The company began accepting nominations for injections last week at the new facility in Hardy and Hampshire Counties, WV.

Looking to increase system reliability of the eastern United States, Hardy Storage Co. LLC said Monday natural gas is now being stored in the nation’s newest storage field. The company began accepting nominations for injections this week at the new facility in Hardy and Hampshire Counties, WV.

World energy prices are high not because of a physical supply shortage, but because of “anxiety about the reliability of supply,” said BP CEO John Browne Wednesday in announcing the release of BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2006.

Direct Energy has acquired the competitive electric customer base of Entergy Solutions Ltd. located in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. The more than 100,000 residential and commercial customers are located throughout Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and South Texas. The $30 million acquisition increases Direct Energy’s Texas customer base to over one million customers.

A week after rolling blackouts hit parts of the state, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) executives last week got an earful from senators who made it clear their patience has worn thin with controversies and bickering surrounding the organization.

In spite of a temporary disruption to natural gas supplies because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Texas Energy Reliability Council (TERC) said Tuesday winter supplies will be adequate — but gas bills are expected to be a lot higher.