Tough

Whether Range Resources unit Range Production Co. drilling in the Barnett Shale caused alleged water well contamination is a tough call, but it can be made on the evidence available, staff of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) told hearing examiners in its closing statement on the case last Tuesday.

Whether Range Resources unit Range Production Co. drilling in the Barnett Shale caused alleged water well contamination is a tough call, but it can be made on the evidence available, staff of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) told hearing examiners in its closing statement on the case Tuesday.

Whether Range Resources unit Range Production Co. drilling in the Barnett Shale caused alleged water well contamination is a tough call, but it can be made on the evidence available, staff of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) told hearing examiners in its closing statement on the case Tuesday.

Enduring the tough economic climate that all utilities have faced over the last year, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) was a bright spot on Thursday as the Newark, NJ-based electricity and natural gas distributor and electricity generator reported income from continuing operations for 4Q2009 of $349 million (69 cents/share), up 47% from the $237 million (46 cents/share) that the company posted in 4Q2008.

Enduring the tough economic climate that all utilities have faced over the last year, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) was a bright spot on Thursday as the Newark, NJ-based electricity and natural gas distributor and electricity generator reported income from continuing operations for 4Q2009 of $349 million (69 cents/share), up 47% from the $237 million (46 cents/share) that the company posted in 4Q2008.

The closeness of the House vote Friday on climate change and energy legislation (HR 2454) presages a tough battle ahead over the controversial issue in the Senate, Capitol Hill observers say.

In formally tapping Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) for secretary of the Interior Department, President-elect Obama last Wednesday gave him the tough assignment of cleaning up the troubled agency whose image has been scarred by scandal during the past year. Salazar was the last pick to round out Obama’s energy and environmental team. Obama also moved quickly last week to unveil his financial regulatory team, selecting Gary Gensler, former undersecretary of the Treasury and partner at Goldman Sachs, as his nominee for chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

In formally tapping Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) for secretary of the Interior Department, President-elect Obama Wednesday gave him the tough assignment of cleaning up the troubled agency whose image has been scarred by scandal during the past year.

El Paso Corp.’s natural gas pipeline unit is strong and growing, and gas production is trending up, but it’s still tough to find enough top quality, talented employees, CEO Doug Foshee said last week.