State

The “unbalanced state” of the natural gas market with demandexceeding supply has caused PaineWebber analyst Ronald Barone toraise his average gas price projections by 15 cents for this yearand 10 cents next year over previous predictions, and warn ofpossible severe price spikes throughout the balance of this year.

The “unbalanced state” of the natural gas market with demandexceeding supply has caused PaineWebber analyst Ronald Barone toraise his average gas price projections by 15 cents for this yearand 10 cents next year over previous predictions, and warn ofpossible severe price spikes throughout the balance of this year.

Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. (CG&E) and AmericanElectric Power (AEP), two of the largest utilities in the state,are one step closer to implementing electric customer choice in theOhio market.

The State of California’s Department of General Services isseeking qualified suppliers to enter a one-year term deal for about15 million MMBtu to be delivered to the Pacific Gas & Electricand Southern California Gas service territories between July 1,2000 and June 30, 2001.

William McCormick, CEO of CMS Energy called for the Michiganlegislature to pave the way for added electric generation and fullcompetition in the state. He presented his comments to a group ofpeople at the Midland Cogeneration Venture (MCV) 10th yearanniversary ceremonies yesterday.

California regulators Thursday released a final environmentalimpact report for the state’s second merchant underground naturalgas storage project in the Sacramento Valley of northernCalifornia. Absent new opposition from surrounding landowners,Texas-based Western Hub Properties hopes to have its $80 millionstorage project operating by the end of this year, following ayear’s delay in the approval process for environmental review.

Dominion Resources and Peoples Energy announced plans to expandElwood Energy LLC’s peaking gas-fired power plant in Elwood, IL, byan additional 600 MW. The expansion to the state’s first merchantpower facility will double the capacity to 1,200 MW and is thesecond phase in a process that is expected to eventually bringtotal capacity of the plant to 3,100 MW.

Avista Corp., based in Spokane, WA, got on board the technologystock express last week as Washington state neighbor, Bill Gatestook a 5% stake in the company and Avista’s stock price just aboutdoubled.

Avista Corp., based in Spokane, WA, got on board the technologystock express last week as Washington state neighbor Bill Gatestook a 5% stake in the company and Avista’s stock price just aboutdoubled.