Serves

Former Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard, who now serves as president of the Quebec Oil and Gas Association (QOGA), appeared before a Quebec National Assembly committee to urge compensation for companies in limbo from the province’s environmental study of shale gas, but the meeting became heated after a legislator called Bouchard “unfaithful” to Quebec’s citizens.

American Petroleum Institute (API) CEO Jack Gerard said regulation of the nation’s shale gas plays would best be handled by state government and cautioned against involvement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Former Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard, who now serves as president of the Quebec Oil and Gas Association (QOGA), said the organization welcomed the provincial government’s response to a report on hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) in the Utica Shale play.

Stephen J.J. Letwin, who is responsible for Enbridge Inc.’s natural gas operations, said he will retire on Nov. 1. Letwin, who has been a member of Enbridge’s management team for 11 years, currently serves as executive vice president, Gas Transportation & International, for Enbridge Inc. and holds managing director roles at Enbridge Energy Co. Inc., the general partner of Enbridge Energy Partners (EEP), as well as Enbridge Energy Management LLC. Letwin joined Enbridge Inc. as president and COO of Energy Services in 1999. He was responsible for leading the relatively new retail energy services business unit to profitability. Letwin also is responsible for the company’s international business. As managing director of the general partner of EEP, Letwin played a key role in the growth of the company’s natural gas gathering and processing business in the United States.

Union Pacific Railroad’s Pipeline Express — which serves the steel pipeline industry by delivering product for oil and gas producers — has delivered its 25,000th rail car of pipeline product, the railroad said Thursday.

Nevada’s two major private-sector electric utilities, now operating as NV Energy for the northern and southern portions of the state, last Friday filed their latest rate changes with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Decreases for power and natural gas retail utility rates are being sought in the north, while combined annual fuel cost adjustment and general rate adjustments in the south seek a net $77 million annual electric revenue increase.

Regency Energy Partners LP, which serves as a platform for GE Energy Financial Services’ growth in the midstream sector, has slashed its 2009 and 2010 growth plans and sharply reduced its planned pipeline infrastructure project for the emerging Haynesville Shale.

Regency Energy Partners LP, which serves as a platform for GE Energy Financial Services’ growth in the midstream sector, on Monday slashed its 2009 and 2010 growth plans and sharply reduced its planned pipeline infrastructure project for the emerging Haynesville Shale.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is seeking public comments through March 14 on Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities’ 20-year natural gas plan for the 70,000 customers it serves in northern Idaho.