Ultimatum

In an emergency request filed Wednesday, Pacific Gas andElectric (PG&E) delivered a strongly-worded ultimatum to FERC -either revoke the authority for sellers to charge market-basedrates in the out-of-control California bulk power market and takeother actions by “no later than the close of business on Dec. 21,”or it will seek relief from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals inWashington. At press time Thursday, the Commission had notresponded to the utility’s demands.

Seizing upon a deadline ultimatum recently issued by FERC forthe proposed Independence Pipeline and associated SupplyLinkexpansion, Pennsylvania Rep. Frank LaGrotta has called on theCommission to revoke the certificate for the construction of thecontroversial, multi-state project.

In a take-it-or-leave-it gesture, California consumer advocatesTuesday handed the governor and state legislature an ultimatum torollback electric industry restructuring and insert the state in anexpanded role over the development and operation of power plants.If the elected officials fail to act, the consumer activists planto put another measure on the statewide ballot in 2002.

Petrobank Energy and Resources gave the board of directors ofRanger Oil an ultimatum yesterday: Give full access to Ranger’sconfidential data room under Petrobank’s terms no later than 5 p.m.(MDT) on Thursday, or Petrobank will not amend or extend its offer toacquire all of the common shares of Ranger. (see Daily GPI, June 9) This would mean Petrobank’sexisting offer would run out next Monday, at 9 a.m. Calgary time.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) unanimously decidedlast week to allow customers to switch from Atlanta Gas Light (AGL)after the previously-determined Aug. 11 deadline, the date when theCommission determines market share among the competing suppliers.Commissioner Robert Baker said the vote will help dispel the rumorof Aug. 11 being a drop-dead date.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) unanimously decidedearlier this week to allow customers to switch from Atlanta GasLight (AGL) after the previously-determined Aug. 11 deadline, thedate when market share is determined among the competing suppliers.Commissioner Robert Baker said the vote will help dispel the rumorof August 11 being a drop-dead date.