Squabble

A squabble has broken out in British Columbia (BC) as a sharp reminder to natural gas producers that they are treading on tricky ground as they expand supply development northwards.

Coming as the latest shot in the ongoing squabble between the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and Nicor Gas, the utility watchdog group Thursday blasted a $55 million rate hike proposed by the utility that received a favorable recommendation from two administrative law judges at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

Dynegy last Friday clarified its squabble with Sempra Energy’s San Diego utility unit, contending that it never asked for 18 smaller power plants to be shut down, regardless of orders from the California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) to produce electricity during peak demand hours.

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) told the FERCCentral Maine Power Co. (CMP) is off base in its argument againstsiting of construction activity for PNGTS’ Rumford-Jay lateral pipealong a CMP power line corridor. CMP is seeking a stay order fromthe Commission.