Resolution

Mirant Corp. subsidiary Mirant Energy Trading LLC said Thursday that it has agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on a resolution of the seven-year investigation into the knowing submission of inaccurate natural gas trade reports in 2000 by traders of former subsidiary Mirant Americas Energy Marketing LP (MAEM). Under terms of the agreement, Mirant Energy Trading is to pay an $11 million penalty to the U.S. Treasury.

A resolution of the pending litigation by proponents of a Long Beach, CA, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is still months away, the city attorney told NGI Wednesday. More imminent would be further legal action once the City of Long Beach, as expected, rejects a claim by LNG developer Sound Energy Solutions (SES), which is seeking payment for costs incurred in the three-year permitting process that came to a halt in January.

As part of its biweekly business meeting last Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) passed a resolution urging Congress to adopt liquefied natural gas (LNG) regulatory/safety standards that allow states concurrent jurisdiction with FERC, and specifically to express the CPUC’s opposition to the establishment of an “exclusive” federal jurisdiction.

As part of its biweekly business meeting Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) passed a resolution urging Congress to adopt liquefied natural gas (LNG) regulatory/safety standards that allow states concurrent jurisdiction with FERC, and specifically to express the CPUC’s opposition to the establishment of an “exclusive” federal jurisdiction.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week urged FERC to move forward expeditiously with resolving cases pending at the federal agency related to refunds due to the state from electricity overcharges during California’s electricity crisis in 2000-2001.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) unanimously approved a stipulation last week to resolve issues with natural gas marketer Energy America LLC regarding improper disconnections of customers’ natural gas service.

Finding itself in hot water again in the peach state, Energy America, Centrica’s U.S. retail gas marketing subsidiary, will have a proposed stipulation — aimed at resolving its Low Income Heat Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) problems — heard by the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) on Tuesday (Jan. 6).

Following its end of third quarter 2002 board meeting, Piedmont Natural Gas Co. said it has narrowed the company’s earnings loss from the similar period a year ago. The Charlotte, NC-based natural gas distributor posted a net income loss of $9 million ($0.27 per share) for the quarter ended July 31, compared with a net income loss of $16.8 million ($0.52 per share) for the year-ago period.

“Justice has been delayed far too long,” producer/shippers saidin petitioning FERC last week for expedited resolution of theircomplaint against “El Paso’s unjust and unreasonable pro ratacapacity allocation and scheduling procedures.”