Retail

Dallas-based independent oil and gas producer Basa Resources has decided to renew its electricity contract with Suez Energy Resources NA, the U.S. retail energy business of Suez Energy North America, through 2014. Suez Energy Resources will provide electricity service to Basa Resources electric accounts serving oil and gas wells in the Oncor territory in West Texas with a peak demand of more than 25 MW. Terms of the agreement were not released. Basa’s original contract with Suez Energy Resources is due to expire in mid-2009. Suez Energy Resources serves commercial and industrial customers with peak demands ranging from 50 KW to more than 200 MW in nine states and the District of Columbia.

Retail charges were reduced for two of Oregon’s private-sector natural gas utilities Tuesday, while a third gas utility was granted an increase of less than 1% by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Citing lower wholesale gas prices in 2007, Boise, ID-based Intermountain Gas told the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) it can lower its retail gas utility rates for the second consecutive year. Intermountain has proposed an 8.1% cut. The PUC has asked for comments from stakeholders and the general public by Sept. 18.

Large, utility-scale solar-powered generation developments as outlined for California will grow in national interest and eventually may lessen the need for natural gas-fired peaking and medium size traditional electric generation plants, according to a senior executive with Solel Solar Systems, a globally operating solar thermal project developer/operator. And the trend could take hold in less than the next 10 years.

Large, utility-scale solar-powered generation developments as outlined for California will grow in national interest and eventually can lessen the need for natural gas-fired peaking and medium size traditional electric generation plants, according to a senior executive with Solel Solar Systems, a globally operating solar thermal project developer/operator. And the trend could take hold in less than the next 10 years.

New Mexico regulators June 29 unanimously approved an $8.6 million increase in retail natural gas utility rates for PNM Resources’ Public Service Company of New Mexico operations.

New Mexico regulators late Friday unanimously approved an $8.6 million increase in retail natural gas utility rates for PNM Resources’ Public Service Company of New Mexico operations. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approved an overall gas operations revenue requirement of $148.8 million, with an authorized return on equity of (ROE) of 9.53%, effective Friday (July 6).

Louisville Gas and Electric Co. (LG&E) filed with the Kentucky Public Service Commission to decrease the gas supply clause (GSC) component of its retail rates for consumption Feb. 1 toApril 30, 2007. The newly filed GSC factor of 65.666 cents per 100 cubic feet is a reduction of 11.082 cents from the current rate of 76.748 cents. By comparison, the rate for Feb. 1, 2006 was 127.454 cents.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced Tuesday that it forecasts a 26.6% drop in retail natural gas bills in November compared with bills during the same month last year. In November 2005, of course, wholesale natural gas prices were going through the roof because of the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Gulf of Mexico production. In comparison to October 2006 bills averaging $26.58, however, the November bills will be more than 60% higher at $43.55.