Seen

History is weighing against many energy companies who have seen their credit ratings fall below investment grade but expect they will return some day to investment-grade status. According to a 16-year study by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P), only one quarter of these “global fallen angels” (downgraded to ‘BB+’ and below from ‘BBB-‘ and higher) returned to investment- grade status; three quarters did not.

Westar Energy Inc. last Thursday filed a comprehensive plan with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) outlining how the company intends to reduce debt and become exclusively an electric utility. The plan calls for Westar to sell its non-utility and non-core assets, reduce its common dividend and refocus the company solely on its electric utility operations.

Ongoing efforts in the West to eliminate seams between various power markets shouldn’t delay the formation of regional transmission organizations (RTOs) in that part of the country, officials with various electric grid operators reassured FERC Commissioners last Wednesday.

Sizeable declines at New England points and small ones on a couple of Rockies pipes were the major exceptions to continued moderate bullishness in the rest of the cash market Thursday. Most points ranged from flat to about a quarter higher. Much like the day before, a majority of gains were in the teens.

Sparked by what is seen as “increased risk” in Coral Energy Holding LP.’s business profile, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) said that it has placed the company’s ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications.

Sparked by what is seen as “increased risk” in Coral Energy Holding LP.’s business profile, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) said Tuesday that it has placed the company’s ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has grown steadily for at least 30 years, but the latest trends point to a major expansion in trade, especially in the Atlantic Basin, according to a recent report by a Standard & Poor’s (S&P) analyst.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has grown steadily for at least 30 years, but the latest trends point to a major expansion in trade, especially in the Atlantic Basin, according to a report issued Friday by a Standard & Poor’s (S&P) analyst.

Despite current moderate to extreme drought conditions in the Pacific Northwest region, the Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC) reiterated in a report this week that it does not expect any power supply problems this winter or next year because of about 3,000 MW of new non-hydro generation that has been built.