Serves

Documents filed at FERC reveal that Washington Gas Light (WGL), which serves metropolitan Washington, DC and suburban areas, experienced a significant spike in compression-related natural gas leaks in 1999 when no liquefied natural gas (LNG) was flowing on its system. This was four years prior to the utility reporting a major upswing in leaks that it attributed to deliveries of high Btu-content LNG.

Aquila Inc., which serves 190,000 natural gas customers in Nebraska, has filed an application with the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting a pilot project for a new pricing option for customers in the state. If approved, customers would have the option to choose a fixed price or the current traditional method for their gas bills.

Boston-based NSTAR Electric & Gas, which serves 1.4 million power and gas customers in eastern and central Massachusetts, said Friday the Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE) has approved a $20 million electric rate cut. As part of the settlement, the reduced rate will be frozen for seven years. The agreement also provides temporary rate relief of $18 million for NSTAR Gas customers, as well as new programs and incentives to improve system performance and customer service.

Washington Gas Light (WGL), which serves metropolitan Washington, DC, is not the only natural gas utility to have experienced leaks on its distribution system possibly from high-Btu content liquefied natural gas (LNG), contends a Maryland agency that represents regulated utility ratepayers.

El Paso’s Southern Natural pipeline, which serves the southeastern United States, is increasing access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) arriving from Trinidad at El Paso’s Elba Island import terminal near Savannah, GA, this winter to make up for at least part of the natural gas production that has been lost since the twin hurricanes battered the Gulf Coast.

Washington Gas Light (WGL), which serves metropolitan Washington, DC, has called on FERC to reject the proposed expansion of Dominion Cove Point LP’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and associated pipeline project until it can be demonstrated at a evidentiary hearing that imported LNG is fully interchangeable with traditional gas and will not negatively impact the utility’s system.

Entergy New Orleans Gas Operations, which serves 147,000 customers in New Orleans, said it stopped 17 gas leaks over the weekend and is continuing a comprehensive effort to locate, control and repair leaks throughout in the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, its sister power utility has restored electricity service to nearly 749,000 customers, or more than two-thirds of its 1.1 million Louisiana and Mississippi customers.

In an effort to bring local control and public ownership to the utility that serves them, a consortium of Montana municipalities on Thursday offered to acquire 100% of NorthWestern Corp.’s outstanding common stock. In response, NorthWestern’s board of directors said that while it does not comment on “rumors,” it has concluded that the “informal proposal” is not in the best interests of the company and its stockholders.

Residential natural gas customers should expect “upward pressure” on prices this upcoming winter due mostly to an expanding economy, potentially colder than normal weather and a tight balance between supply and demand, the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA) said in its outlook for the 2004-2005 winter heating season that was released last Thursday.