Submitted

In its “Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2003-2008” submitted to Congress, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission outlined some of the new programs that it is planning to help identify incidents of market-power abuse more quickly and ensure more widespread compliance by energy companies with the agency rules and regulations.

Capacity bids submitted for Wyckoff Gas Storage Project’s recent open season exceeded the 6 Bcf of available Phase I working gas capacity by more than 50%, and the sponsors plan to hold another open season for additional capacity as part of its Phase II expansion. The project is sponsored by Emera Inc. and Falcon Gas Storage subsidiary Greyhawk Gas Storage Co.

Capacity bids submitted for Wyckoff Gas Storage Project’s recent open season exceeded the 6 Bcf of available Phase I working gas capacity by more than 50%, and the sponsors plan to hold another open season for additional capacity as part of its Phase II expansion. The project is sponsored by Emera Inc. and Falcon Gas Storage subsidiary Greyhawk Gas Storage Co.

A proposed state law submitted last week to the California legislature would punish industry sources providing phony natural gas pricing information to major national industry published indices. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would be required to use only natural gas price indices determined by the regulators to be “reliable and verifiable.”

A proposed new state law submitted last Wednesday to the California legislature would punish industry sources providing phony natural gas pricing information to major national industry published indices. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would be required to use only natural gas price indices determined by the regulators to be “reliable and verifiable.”

The CFO of Oklahoma City-based OGE Energy Corp. testified that a rate-cut proposal submitted by the staff of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) would impair the company’s ability to respond to power outages, especially following storms. James R. Hatfield also said the cuts, ranging between $43.2 million to more than $90 million, would certainly affect the reliability of its utility, OG&E, because of layoffs and other reductions it would have to make. Hatfield instead urged the OCC to consider OG&E Electric Services’ $26 million annual rate increase for new upgrades to the state’ electric system, damaged by catastrophic storms and increasing power loads. Reductions proposed by the OCC would require OG&E to drastically cut its operating budget, which could include eliminating overtime. Without overtime, Hatfield said that storm responses would undoubtedly be slower, while deferring preventive maintenance items, such as tree trimming and line inspections, would also compromise system reliability. With the testimony deadline passed, the rate case will be heard before an administrative law judge on Sept. 24, and a report will be issued by Oct.14. Appeals of the judge’s ruling will then be due Oct. 24, and the case will come before the OCC again on Nov. 20. OG&E serves more than 700,000 customers in a 30,000 square mile area of Oklahoma and western Arkansas.

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline LLC. said last week that it has submitted an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to further expand its natural gas pipeline system. Designated as the Phase IV project, the $250 million expansion will allow Maritimes to nearly double its capacity to transport natural gas from offshore Nova Scotia to markets in the northeastern United States.

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline LLC. said Monday that it has submitted an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to further expand its natural gas pipeline system. Designated as the Phase IV project, the $250 million expansion will allow Maritimes to nearly double its capacity to transport natural gas from offshore Nova Scotia to markets in the northeastern United States.

Comptroller General David M. Walker has submitted a General Accounting Office (GAO) report to Congress outlining the agency’s months-long failed attempt to obtain records from Vice President Dick Cheney related to the workings of the Cabinet-level task force on energy policy.