Unanimously

Montana’s Public Service Commission last Tuesday unanimously agreed to establish criteria it would use to judge future offers to buy Chapter 11-mired NorthWestern Energy, the holding company for the major electric/natural gas utilities in the state. By a 5-0 vote, the commission directed its staff to develop potential criteria for sales offers that may come after NorthWestern emerges from bankruptcy later this year.

Montana’s Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously agreed to establish criteria it would use to judge future offers to buy Chapter 11-mired NorthWestern Energy, the holding company for the major electric/natural gas utilities in the state. By a 5-0 vote, the commission directed its staff to develop potential criteria for sales offers that may come after NorthWestern emerges from bankruptcy later this year.

Montana’s Public Service Commission (MPSC) has unanimously approved a stipulation and settlement agreement over the pending investigation by the state Consumer Counsel of NorthWestern Energy’s utility operations in the state. The regulators’ action resolves outstanding issues between the South Dakota-based utility holding company and the Montana over the NorthWestern’s proposed Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Western governors announced last week that they have unanimously agreed to pursue a regional approach to boosting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency through the bipartisan Western Governors’ Association (WGA), according to an announcement from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, co-leader of the effort along with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the current chairman of the governors’ group.

State of Washington regulators late Wednesday announced that they unanimously approved a rate settlement with Portland, OR-based Northwest Natural Gas Corp. that includes an average 6.5% residential rate increase, effective July 1. The decision affects the gas utility’s 54,000 residential and business customers in the southwestern part of the state.

Western governors Tuesday announced they have unanimously agreed to pursue a regional approach to boosting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency through the bipartisan Western Governors’ Association (WGA), according to an announcement from California’s Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, co-leader of the effort along with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the current chairman of the governors’ group.

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday unanimously approved Florida Power & Light Co.’s (FP&L) proposed Turkey Point power plant expansion plan as the best, most cost-effective project to meet customer needs for electricity beginning in 2007.

With the assumption that the governor will sign the bill into law, California’s state Senate Monday unanimously okayed a final bailout for Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a law authorizing the utility to refinance part of its debt backed by a retail utility rate revenue stream. The so-called “dedicated rate component” is estimated to lower the overall cost of the PG&E utility’s financial reorganization by about $1 billion.

The Arizona Senate last week unanimously voted to ban development of salt dome gas storage facilities within nine miles of a military airport, which places a significant roadblock in front of El Paso Corp.’s proposed 10 Bcf Copper Eagle Gas Storage project.