Wisconsin Energy Corp., a Milwaukee, WI-based utility holdingcompany, kicked off the merger merry-go-round last week when itannounced plans to acquire WICOR Inc., the parent of a rival gasdistributor, for about $1.51 billion in cash, stock and debt,creating a major Midwest energy concern and the 13th largestutility in the nation.
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Articles from Round
NEB Gives Maritimes Bypass Rights
Round one of a developing battle over Canada’s last virginmarket for natural gas has been won by the first entry, even beforeothers have a chance to set up shop. The National Energy Boardauthorized Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline to serve the firstindustrial customers in Nova Scotia, with a branch line thatbypasses prospective local distributors.
Futures Rebound to Show Gain for the Week
The futures market moved quietly higher in fairly subduedtrading on Friday until a round of position squaring and freshbuying boosted the market before the close. That was enough topropel the September contract above its recent trading range tosettle at $1.877, a 6-cent advance on the day.
Opinions Vary as Futures Bend, But Do Not Break
The futures market opened lower on Thursday, but aftersustaining an initial round of selling, the prompt month managed toclaw its way back up to $1.817, a 0.2 cent decline for the day.That left the September contract still perched just above long term support at $1.78 yesterday, trading within a narrow 4-cent range.Estimated volume registered an unremarkable 40,943.
Pan Alberta Deal Nearing Completion
The next round of restructuring is about to unfold in Canada’snatural-gas community as a white knight buyer prepares to stepforward for the country’s second-biggest supply aggregator,Pan-Alberta Gas Ltd. In fact, a team of rescuers has emerged.Senior Canadian industry sources say a producer consortium has comeup with a winning bid that will both keep the mammoth dealer inhome-grown hands and heal the worst remaining sore spot in thecommunity.
Tower Loses Round in Self-Generation Battle
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) decided last week itlacked authority to rule on whether Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)could be required to lease or sell its wiring inside Chicago’sSears Tower to the building’s owner. Tower Leasing is seekingcontrol of the building’s internal wiring so it can installgas-fired cogeneration to meet a portion of the building’selectricity needs.