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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich last Thursday used his latest “State of the State” speech to call on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to increase the portion of the state’s energy that comes from renewable sources, including wind, through the adoption of a renewable portfolio standard (RPS).

After absorbing the sizeable 230 Bcf natural gas storage report pull on Thursday without spiking, March natural gas futures used Friday to explore lower in search of support. Keeping within a tight 15-cent range, the newly minted prompt month hit a low of $6.15 in morning trading before settling at $6.259, down 9.3 cents on the day and less than a cent lower than the previous Friday’s settle.

With December and the onset of the winter natural gas demand season, the more than doubled capacity at Southern California Gas’ key Southern California interconnection, Kramer Junction, is operational but so far it is far from being fully utilized, a utility spokesperson said Friday in response to a NGI inquiry.

With December and the onset of the winter natural gas demand season, the more than doubled capacity at Southern California Gas’ key Southern California interconnection, Kramer Junction, is operational but so far it is far from being fully utilized, a utility spokesperson said Friday in response to a NGI inquiry.

An increase in residential customers may have spelled the difference between the 3.5 Bcf of gas used by Xcel Energy’s Colorado customers over the recent four-day Thanksgiving weekend, compared to 3 Bcf for the holiday weekend a year ago. Temperatures were nearly the same, with an average daily temperature of 30.5 degrees Fahrenheit this year compared to an average daily temperature of 31 degrees last year. “We had about 39,000 more customers in September 2004 than we had in September 2003,” the last month for which comparative figures are available, according to Xcel spokesman Mark Stutz. In September 2003, Xcel had 1,078,009 customers, compared to the recent month’s 1,117,851. Although Xcel is seeing “modest” customer growth in its Front Range territory, most of the increase is coming in its western mountain resort area where new natural gas service is now available and is replacing electric heating. Stutz said the trend is not confined to Xcel. “All the utilities in the mountain area are seeing the switch from electric and propane to natural gas.”

An increase in residential customers may have spelled the difference between the 3.5 Bcf of gas used by Xcel Energy’s Colorado customers over the recent four-day Thanksgiving weekend, compared to 3 Bcf for the holiday weekend a year ago. Temperatures were nearly the same, with an average daily temperature of 30.5 degrees Fahrenheit this year compared to an average daily temperature of 31 degrees last year. “We had about 39,000 more customers in September 2004 than we had in September 2003,” the last month for which comparative figures are available, according to Xcel spokesman Mark Stutz. In September 2003, Xcel had 1,078,009 customers, compared to the recent month’s 1,117,851. Although Xcel is seeing “modest” customer growth in its Front Range territory, most of the increase is coming in its western mountain resort area where new natural gas service is now available and is replacing electric heating. Stutz said the trend is not confined to Xcel. “All the utilities in the mountain area are seeing the switch from electric and propane to natural gas.”

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering arguments on the constitutionality of the federal law used to charge a former Dynegy Inc. energy trader with making false natural gas trades. Michelle Valencia was charged last year with reporting false energy trading information, and prosecutors appealed a ruling by a Houston judge that narrowed the language prosecutors may use to prove her guilt (see NGI, Nov. 24, 2003).

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering arguments this week on the constitutionality of the federal law used to charge a former Dynegy Inc. energy trader with making false natural gas trades. Michelle Valencia was charged last year with reporting false energy trading information, and prosecutors are appealing a ruling by a Houston judge that narrowed the language prosecutors may use to prove her guilt (see Daily GPI, Nov. 18, 2003).

After trading within the $5.12-5.18 range for a majority of the day, September natural gas futures used the final half hour of the regular trading session to make another run at the psychological $5 mark before expiration.