Reviews

FERC on Friday issued favorable final environmental reviews for the two most hotly disputed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects that have come before the agency in the last couple of years — the proposed 4.4 Bcf Weaver’s Cove LNG import terminal near Fall River, MA, and KeySpan LNG’s proposed conversion of its existing 600,000 barrel LNG storage terminal in Providence, RI, to an import terminal. But the KeySpan LNG project fell short of the current federal safety standards, the agency said.

FERC on Friday issued favorable final environmental reviews for the two most hotly disputed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects that have come before the agency in the last couple of years — the proposed 4.4 Bcf Weaver’s Cove LNG import terminal near Fall River, MA, and KeySpan LNG’s proposed conversion of its existing 600,000 barrel LNG storage terminal in Providence, RI, to an import terminal. But the KeySpan LNG project fell short of the current federal safety standards, the agency said.

With New Mexico state leaders on record as strongly opposed, a long federal review process is now under way on Houston-based El Paso Corp.’s plans to drill for coal-bed methane in a pristine national forest region in the north-northeast part of the state. Even with political help from the White House, El Paso has indicated in some local news reports that it may not be interested in pursuing drilling leases.

Having navigated a difficult period that included the August 2003 blackout, energy companies maintained a stable customer satisfaction rating, while “clear signs of deterioration” were found in electric utilities’ reputations among industry leaders and analysts, according to two separate studies released last week.

All natural gas pipeline operators must begin baseline integrity assessments of the sections of their pipeline systems located in high-consequence areas by no later than June 17, according to a Washington, DC-based law firm that specializes in energy law.

All natural gas pipeline operators are required to begin baseline integrity assessments of the sections of their pipeline systems located in high-consequence areas by no later than June 17, according to a Washington, DC-based law firm that specializes in energy law.

President Bush made only a short reference to the omnibus energy bill (HR 6) in his State of the Union address last Tuesday night, but it apparently was enough of an impetus for Senate Republican leaders and natural gas trade groups who have not given up on the ailing measure. A leading energy policy analyst, however, interpreted the president’s “brief reference” as a sign that the energy bill is no longer a high priority of the Bush White House.

President Bush made only a short reference to the omnibus energy bill (HR 6) in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, but it apparently was enough of an impetus for Senate Republican leaders and natural gas trade groups who have not given up on the ailing measure. A leading energy policy analyst, however, interpreted the president’s “brief reference” as a sign that the energy bill is no longer a high priority of the Bush White House.

Bedminster, New Jersey-based NUI Corp., which is on the auction block, reported a 62-cent loss per share from continuing operations for the quarter compared to a loss of 16 cents/share in the same quarter last year and analysts’ expectations of a 40 cents/share quarterly loss. The company also announced that it is considering cutting its dividend.