Suspended

In what was a blow to “Panhandle complainants” and Midwest regulators, FERC Friday accepted and suspended for five months Southwest Gas Storage’s proposed rate increase to become effective Feb. 1, 2008, subject to refund and the outcome of a hearing, and denied the complainants’ renewed request for interim rate relief and expedited action on a complaint in which customers have accused the storage provider of charging excessive rates.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has suspended review of the proposed Weaver’s Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal following an unfavorable decision by the U.S. Coast Guard last month that the agency says “casts serious doubt as to the feasibility of the project.”

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has suspended review of the proposed Weaver’s Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal following an unfavorable decision by the U.S. Coast Guard last month that the agency says “casts serious doubt as to the feasibility of the project.”

The management-led buyout of Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) has closed, the company said last week. Trading of KMI’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange will be suspended and KMI will take steps to delist the shares from the exchange.

The management-led buyout of Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) has closed, the company said Wednesday. Trading of KMI’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange will be suspended and KMI will take steps to delist the shares from the exchange.

State regulators in Washington last week fined electric and gas utility Puget Sound Energy (PSE) $995,000 for violating consumer privacy laws by intentionally sharing private customer information with an outside marketing partner without the customers’ written permission.

State regulators in Washington penalized electric and gas utility Puget Sound Energy (PSE) $995,000 for violating consumer privacy laws by intentionally sharing private customer information with an outside marketing partner without the customers’ written permission.

While its sponsors continue to talk confidently, the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the Long Beach, CA, harbor Monday was suspended in a political vise about to be squeezed between the city political leaders and the separate Port of Long Beach. Port officials are dragging their feet on completing a final environmental impact statement and report (EIS/EIR) jointly with FERC. That final report now is not expected to be released until the first quarter next year, if ever.

Top fertilizer manufacturer Terra Industries Inc. has indefinitely suspended all production at its Woodward, OK plant in the near term because of high natural gas costs. The shutdown is due to mechanical repairs and catalyst changes, but Terra will not resume production in the near term because the gas costs haven’t been offset by price increases in nitrogen products and methanol, the company said.