Tapped

SCANA Corp. subsidiary SCANA Energy said Tuesday the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has tapped the utility to continue in its role of serving as Georgia’s sole regulated provider of natural gas, a role the company has had since the regulated provider program began in 2002.

Walter Cruickshank, deputy director of the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS), was tapped to take over the top spot to replace Johnnie Burton, who resigned last month (see Daily GPI, May 9).

Walter Cruickshank, deputy director of the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS), was tapped to take over the top spot to replace Johnnie Burton, who resigned last month (see NGI, May 14).

President Bush last Tuesday tapped Joseph T. Kelliher for a second term on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and to continue as chairman of the agency.

With experience in retail energy markets going back to the start of natural gas deregulation, the two executives tapped by the board at Costa Mesa, CA-based Commerce Energy Group, Inc. to return the national electric/natural gas retail marketer to profitability have long energy ties to Texas and California. Commerce Energy is the result of several acquisitions and mergers over the past two years as it has tried to turn profitable in seven states with retail competition in the natural gas and/or electricity industries.

The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday tapped a veteran state civil service executive as its executive director replacing Bill Ahern who retired suddenly in June. The five-member panel named Steve Larson, currently the executive director at the California Energy Commission, to take on its chief operating officer role, effective July 15. With more than 35 years of state service in agencies and the state legislature, Larson is viewed as very knowledgeable about the workings of state government and the legislature. Prior to his energy commission position as that body’s CFO, Larson spent many years in the finance department and before that, 17 years as the chief consultant on the state Senate Budget Committee. Larson hold a bachelor’s degree in philosophy/psychology and a master’s in history — all from San Jose State University, and he served two years in the Peace Corps in Guyana. CPUC President Michael Peevey said Larson has an “impressive work history,” along with “proven leadership skills.” He expects Larson to help the CPUC set and meet its goals. Larson said he is very aware of the issues the CPUC is facing and is ready to put his experience to use at a new state assignment.

In a clear indication of who will eventually be tapped to assume the role now occupied by popular ExxonMobil Corp. Chairman Lee Raymond, the board of directors on Thursday elected Rex Tillerson president of the corporation effective Monday (March 1). Raymond, 65, will remain chairman and CEO the board said.

In a clear indication of who will eventually be tapped to assume the role now occupied by popular ExxonMobil Corp. Chairman Lee Raymond, the board of directors on Thursday elected Rex Tillerson president of the corporation effective Monday (March 1). Raymond, 65, will remain chairman and CEO, the board said.

Sticking with a plan to grow its upstream business, ConocoPhillips has begun 2003 with a new direction in its Exploration and Production (E&P) unit, announcing the retirement of a legacy Conoco Inc. executive whose skills were directed toward downstream products, and the promotion of a legacy Phillips Petroleum Co. executive, whose strong suit is the upstream.