State

U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowski of Alaska, a key energy lawmaker, has announced that he plans to run for governor of the state next year.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has announced that $3.6 million in grants will be awarded for 24 projects in 14 states to assist in the prevention of third-party damage to pipelines and other underground facilities.

Atmos Energy Corp. has agreed to purchase Mississippi Valley Gas, the state’s largest gas utility, for $150 million. The definitive agreement calls for a $75 million cash deal, and another $75 million of Atmos common stock. Atmos also will assume Mississippi Valley’s outstanding debt, estimated to be $45 million. The deal will make the Dallas-based company the third-largest pure gas utility in the United States.

Atmos Energy Corp. on Monday said it agreed to purchase Mississippi Valley Gas, the state’s largest gas utility, for $150 million. The definitive agreement calls for a $75 million cash deal, and another $75 million of Atmos common stock. Atmos also will assume Mississippi Valley’s outstanding debt, estimated to be $45 million. The deal will make the Dallas-based company the third-largest pure gas utility in the United States.

With the failure of the state to agree on a rescue plan to restore Southern California Edison’s financial viability, rumors last week grew louder that three of the major generators who are creditors would take the utility into involuntary bankruptcy.

California regulators and two state utilities have asked FERC Chief Administrative Law Judge Curtis Wagner to admit a highly sensitive internal memorandum, that allegedly demonstrates the intimate working relationship between parent El Paso Corp. and affiliates El Paso Natural Gas and El Paso Merchant Energy Co. (EPME), into the record of the high-profile proceeding exploring charges of affiliate abuse.

California regulators and two state utilities have asked FERC Chief Administrative Law Judge Curtis Wagner to admit a highly sensitive internal memorandum, that allegedly demonstrates the intimate working relationship between parent El Paso Corp. and affiliates El Paso Natural Gas and El Paso Merchant Energy Co. (EPME), into the record of the high-profile proceeding exploring charges of affiliate abuse.

California regulators may be scratching their heads about what to do with gas purchasing incentives for the state’s major utilities following Southern California Gas Co.’s filing that claims its purchases over a 12-month period ending last June were $223 million below market prices.

The Northwest Alabama Gas District is opening a new gas storage facility in the state to provide the municipal gas company and other third-party providers with flexibility to meet peak-day requirements while lowering their average cost of gas. The facility, which was funded by $20.3 million in revenue bonds issued by the District in 2000, is located in Lamar County and is expected to give northwestern Alabama an additional asset for attracting new business and industry.