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Exelon Corp. last Tuesday said that if FERC approves the company’s pending merger with Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) without a hearing, the companies will divest additional capacity to address some of the concerns raised by outside parties.

Trying to expand upon the upward momentum from Tuesday, March natural gas futures explored higher Wednesday morning. However, after bumping up against the $6.26 level, the prompt month retreated, locating support at $6.10 before settling at $6.165, relatively unchanged from Tuesday.

Caledonia Energy Partners LLC has filed an application with FERC to construct and operate an 11 Bcf natural gas storage facility in northeastern Mississippi. Upon approval, the Caledonia Storage Field could be in full operation by April 2006.

Caledonia Energy Partners LLC has filed an application with FERC to construct and operate an 11 Bcf natural gas storage facility in northeastern Mississippi. Upon approval, the Caledonia Storage Field could be in full operation by April 2006.

Caledonia Energy Partners LLC has filed an application with FERC to construct and operate an 11 Bcf natural gas storage facility in northeastern Mississippi. Upon approval, the Caledonia Storage Field could be in full operation by April 2006.

Finding little of significance in new price influences upon emerging from the Easter weekend, virtually all of the cash market was content to mark time Monday. Outside of declines ranging to nearly a quarter in the Rockies, most other points stayed within about a nickel up or down from flat. There was a slight bias to the upside.

FERC continued to smile upon natural gas pipeline projects right up until the very end of last week. Late Friday, the agency dismissed a plea by a Florida citizens advocacy group to stay Florida Gas Transmission’s (FGT) construction of a new compressor station as part of the pipeline’s Phase V expansion project in the state.

If the projections of a leading industry analyst are correct, the robust prices of gas for fall delivery may be trading as much as 70 cents lower upon expiration, mainly because of the gas storage situation.

Peoples Energy Chairman and CEO Richard E. Terry announced plans to retire Aug. 1, consistent with the company’s policy requiring officers to retire upon attaining the age of 65. Thomas M. Patrick, currently president and COO, is expected to assume the positions of chairman and CEO in August. Following a pattern among regulated utilities, both men moved up through the company’s legal department. Terry’s retirement will cap a 30-year career with Peoples, including more than 11 years as chairman and CEO. Patrick has been with Peoples for 26 years. He began his career in 1976 as a member of the company’s legal department and was elected president and COO in 1998. He has been a director of the company since 1998. Peoples gas utility division serves about 1 million retail customers in Chicago and northeastern Illinois.