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Southern California Gas’ so far ill-fated attempt to sell asmall metropolitan-based underground storage field is catchingpotential flak from regulators and nearby residents fueled by a36-page report that accuses the nation’s largest natural gasutility of unethical, if not illegal, business practices. Aprehearing conference will be convened June 11 by an administrativelaw judge at the California Public Utilities Commission to begin aninvestigation into the alleged violation of the regulatory body’srules.

Virginia Gas Co., a small integrated natural gas companyoperating in the southwestern tip of Virginia, has selectedOppenheimer Corp. as its financial advisor to conduct an evaluationof the company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and strategicalternatives available.

Virginia Gas Co., a small integrated natural gas companyoperating in the southwestern tip of Virginia, has selectedOppenheimer Corp. as its financial advisor to conduct an evaluationof the company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and strategicalternatives available.

After a quick check lower to fill in a small chart gap, thefutures market continued higher last Friday in an abbreviated, butextremely active trading session. The July contract finished up 7.6cents to $2.358, capping a two-day, 14.8-cent advance. Estimatedvolume was 66,263.

The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to pass Senate bill 601, the gas deregulation bill for small commercial and residential customers, on June 7, said a spokesman for Sen. Jeff Piccola, the bill’s main sponsor.

The Pennsylvania state senate will pass senate bill 601, (SB601), the gas deregulation bill for small commercial andresidential customers, on June 7, said a spokesman for Sen. JeffPiccola’s office. Piccola is the bill’s main sponsor in the statesenate.

Companion Pennsylvania gas deregulation bills for smallcommercial and residential customers appear to be quicklymaneuvering through the state legislative process. The Senateversion is expected to go for a floor vote this week. Meanwhile,the House held hearings on its version of the bill recently andsupporters said the results were positive.

Companion Pennsylvania gas deregulation bills for smallcommercial and residential customers appear to be quicklymaneuvering through the state legislative process. The Senateversion is expected to go for a floor vote next week. Meanwhile,the House held hearings on its version of the bill recently andsupporters said the results were positive.

Connectiv Power Delivery, the utility subsidiary of Connectiv,announced its Natural Gas Choice Program for Delaware Tuesday,enabling 15,000 residential and 1,500 small commercial customers tochoose their gas supplier as early as July 1. The program will lastfor two years, at which point it will go under full review todetermine if the freedom to choose a supplier should be offered toall of Connectiv’s gas customers in Delaware.