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For the first time in several trading days, there was nodivergence between Eastern and Western market directions Wednesday.It was up, up and away all around as nearly all points registeredgains of around a dime or higher.

The Energy Information Administration has lowered its wellheadprice forecast for the year by several percentage points but saidwellhead prices during the first quarter of 1999 should show a hugeincrease (28%) from average prices during this year’s warm firstquarter.

Advising that pipeline monopoly power has increased with theconsolidation which has been going on over the last several years,Rebecca McDonald, an executive with Amoco and chairman this year ofthe Natural Gas Supply Assoc., warned against a reduction inregulatory oversight.

Atlanta Gas Light Services, the retail marketing subsidiary ofGeorgia LDC Atlanta Gas Light, reached a compromise with retailmarketers and state regulators Wednesday, and agreed to change itsname to Georgia Natural Gas Services. The company will retain theuse of its flame logo, however.

Several power marketers and utilities have called on FERC todismiss a complaint by an Indiana steelmaker that accuses AmericanElectric Power (AEP) and unnamed power marketers of capitalizing onthe upheaval in the Midwest electricity markets in June by engagingin “abusive price gouging.”

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is allowing several gasdistribution companies to compete to provide new service tomultiple areas in the state. The commission approved, subject tocertain conditions, the formation of CMP Natural Gas by CentralMaine Power and Energy East Corporation (parent company of New YorkState Electric & Gas) last week and gave it authorization toplan gas distribution services in the Augusta, Waterville, Bangor,Windham, Bethel, Bath/Brunswick and the southern coastal areas, allof which would be receiving gas service for the first time.

The bullish sentiment for the aftermarket that several tradershad expressed Tuesday (see Daily GPI, July 1) appeared to bejustified Wednesday as price increases of a dime or more dominatedmost points. The old refrain of “following the screen” was popularagain. But as the screen leads up, so shall it also lead back down,according to some prophecies, and so it was Wednesday. Early pricelevels were retreating late as Henry Hub futures gave up earlygains. Henry Hub cash started at $2.48-49 but fell as low as $2.40late, a marketer said.

The coming Foothills/Northern Border expansion will impact gasprices and gas flows in several ways, according to a new report byPIRA Energy Group. Foothills/Northern Border will carry 700 MMcf/dfrom Alberta to the Midwest. Completion is expected Nov. 1.

Enron’s announcement last week that it will be terminating itsresidential power marketing efforts in several states should be awake up call for the gas industry as well, where the pace of changetoward retail competition has been a disappointment for manyobservers.