Subsidiaries

MCN Energy Group Inc. completed the previously announced sale ofits share of the Midland Cogeneration Venture Limited Partnership(MCV) in Michigan. Subsidiaries of Coastal bought MCN’s 23% interestin MCV for an undisclosed amount said to be near book value. MCV wasdesignated as a Qualifying Facility (QF) under the federal PublicUtility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA. PURPA requiresutilities to purchase power from QFs at the utilities’ avoided cost ofproducing power. MCN is selling its interests in three other QFs inanticipation of its pending merger with DTE Energy Co. (see Daily GPI,Oct. 6).

Pennsylvania Enterprises Inc and subsidiaries and Southern UnionCo. said the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PPUC) approvedthe merger of the two companies.

MCN Energy followed through as planned on the previously announcedsales of its Midcontinent/Gulf Coast exploration and production(E&P) properties and subsidiaries. Undisclosed privately heldcompanies paid about $105 million for the assets, which are primarilylocated in Texas and Oklahoma. Proceeds from the sales will helpstrengthen MCN’s balance sheet by reducing its debt. At year-end 1998,these Midcontinent/Gulf Coast assets represented 144 Bcfe of reserves,or 12% of the 1.2 Tcfe of proved reserves on MCN’s books. About 80% ofthe reserves sold were gas. MCN announced earlier in August that,consistent with its new regional, operating strategy, the company willretain its natural gas producing properties in Michigan (see Daily GPIAug. 3). Negotiations continue on theremaining Appalachian E&P package.

Southern Energy Inc. (SEI), one of Southern Co.’s mainsubsidiaries, named S. Marce Fuller its new CEO last week. Underthe leadership of the former CEO, Tom Boren, SEI reported $69million in second-quarter 1999 earnings, compared with $25 millionfor the same period last year. Now it is up to Fuller to continuehis success.

Southern Energy Inc. (SEI), one of Southern Co.’s mainsubsidiaries, named S. Marce Fuller its new CEO Tuesday. Under theleadership of the former CEO, Tom Boren, SEI reported $69 millionin second-quarter 1999 earnings, compared with $25 million for thesame period last year. Now it is up to Fuller to continue hissuccess.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) staff, ONEOK Inc. and itssubsidiaries Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) and Kansas Gas Service(KGS) reached negotiated settlement of a number of interim issueson rates, unbundling of assets and competitive bidding for gasservices. The stipulated agreement must still be approved by OCCcommissioners. Once that happens, it will hasten wholesale and thenretail unbundling in the state.

Allen Franklin was named Southern Co.’s COO yesterday. In thenewly-created position, Franklin will be responsible for five ofSouthern’s Southeastern subsidiaries: Alabama Power, Georgia Power,Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah Electric. He will alsobe in charge of Southern Generation, including all of the company’sregulated fossil and hydro generation. Franklin is currentlyexecutive vice president of Southern and CEO of Georgia Power. Hejoined Southern Company in 1970 and has held various executivetitles.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) staff, ONEOK Inc. and itssubsidiaries Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) and Kansas Gas Service(KGS) reached negotiated settlement of a number of interim issueson rates, unbundling of assets and competitive bidding for gasservices. The stipulated agreement must still be approved by OCCcommissioners. Once that happens, it will hasten wholesale and thenretail unbundling in the state.

Dallas-based Texas Utilities Co. is changing its name to TXU,which is also the company’s stock symbol. The action bringstogether divisions and subsidiaries, domestic and international,under one name. TU Electric/Lone Star Gas, the company’s largestdomestic operation, will be renamed TXU Electric & Gas.