Unanimously

The New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) board of directors yesterday voted unanimously to ask FERC to sign off on a penalty plan designed to deter market participants from manipulating New York’s wholesale electricity markets during times of tight power supply.

Prodded by Gov. George H. Ryan, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) voted late week unanimously to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to investigate the high natural gas prices in the state.

Prodded by Gov. George H. Ryan, the Illinois Commerce Commission(ICC) yesterday voted unanimously to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI)to investigate the high natural gas prices in the state.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) last weekunanimously voted out two orders, one that offers customers theoption of changing gas marketers monthly and one that prohibits gasdisconnections for residential customers until April 1. A thirdorder, which will allow customers to change marketers even if theyhave outstanding debt with their previous marketer, squeaked by ona three to two vote with Commissioner Stan Wise˜and newly appointedChairman Lauren “Bubba” McDonald dissenting.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) last weekunanimously voted out two orders, one that offers customers theoption of changing gas marketers monthly and one that prohibits gasdisconnections for residential customers until April 1. A thirdorder, which will allow customers to change marketers even ifÿtheyhave outstanding debt with their previous marketer, squeaked by ona three to two vote with Commissioner Stan Wiseÿand newly appointedChairman Lauren “Bubba” McDonald dissenting.

California’s state legislature, which unanimously launchedelectric industry restructuring four years ago, went back to thedrawing board Thursday in Sacramento, examining a series ofmid-course corrections or a spate of re-regulation depending on theviews of different industry sources.

Vastar Resources Inc.’s board of directors last week unanimouslyrecommended approval of a $83/share cash merger offer from BPAmoco. London-based BP Amoco already owns 81.9% of Vastar’s commonstock, acquired through last month’s completed merger with AtlanticRichfield Co. BP Amoco would acquire 18.1%, or 17.7 million shares,of Vastar common stock that is now publicly held.

Vastar Resources Inc.’s board of directors yesterday unanimouslyrecommended approval of a $83-per-share cash merger offer from BPAmoco. London-based BP Amoco already owns 81.9% of Vastar’s commonstock, acquired through last month’s completed merger with AtlanticRichfield Co. BP Amoco would acquire 18.1%, or approximately 17.7million shares, of Vastar common stock that is now publicly held.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) unanimouslyapproved an accounting order earlier this week, which outlined theprocedure by which AGL Resources could file for stranded costrecovery. The parent of the deregulating Atlanta Gas Light willcompletely exit the merchant function next month.