Retail

In a two-part deal involving North American natural gas and electricity assets as one part, along with its little-talked-about retail energy services unit, Sempra Energy should exit its joint venture energy trading business by the end of the third quarter, according to senior company officials.

If independent retail gas marketers want a level state tax playing field with local distribution company (LDC) marketers in Ohio, they will have to pursue their case in state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court said in a decision issued June 1 [No. 09-223].

If independent retail gas marketers want a level state tax playing field with local distribution company (LDC) marketers in Ohio, they will have to pursue their case in state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court said in a decision issued June 1 [No. 09-223].

No new natural gas supplies will be needed in Idaho for more than a decade to serve an estimated 1.1% annual growth in retail demand through 2022, Avista Utilities told state regulators as part of its latest integrated resource plan (IRP).

No new natural gas supplies will be needed in Idaho for more than a decade to serve an estimated 1.1% annual growth in retail demand through 2022, Avista Utilities told state regulators as part of its latest integrated resource plan (IRP).

Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities last Wednesday received approval from Washington state regulators for retail natural gas and electric rate increases, effective Friday (Jan. 1). A $557,000, or 0.3%, natural gas hike and a $12.1 million, or 2.8%, electric rate increase were approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC).

Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy’s Colorado utility said Wednesday its first quarter natural gas retail rates will decline by as much as 4% next year, compared to the first quarter of 2009. Overall, gas rates will drop by $14.3 million under the Xcel utility’s quarterly gas cost adjustment (QGCA) process overseen by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Tuesday approved a substantial decrease in retail natural gas utility rates, effective Sunday, following earlier filings by Portland-based NW Natural for a 16% rate drop, its lowest rates in five years, and similar large decreases for the state’s two other major private-sector gas utilities — Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities and Seattle-based Cascade Natural Gas Co.

Washington state regulators last Thursday approved an overall 16% decrease in retail natural gas utility rates of Puget Sound Energy (PSE) attributed to the continued slide in wholesale gas prices. The lower rates become effective this Thursday, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) said, adding that at the same time a small electric increase will take effect.