The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Scanasubsidiary PSNC Energy’s fourth gas rate increase since May. PSNCwas granted an increase from 98 cents per therm to $1.18 per thermfor year around residential customers. The 20% hike goes in effectin January and translates into an annual cost of $160. The ratesPSNC Energy is charging customers are 50% higher than in January2000. On average, residential customers can expect to see around a$340 per year increase to their natural gas bills as compared tolast year. “With plenty of gas in storage for peak demand duringcold winter days, we’re prepared to meet our customers’ demand forgas throughout the winter” said PSNC Energy President Charles E.Zeigler. “At the same time we want to help our customers manage theimpact of higher heating bills.” PSNC is franchised to serve a28-county service area in North Carolina and distributes naturalgas to 360,000 winter-peak customers in 95 cities and communities.
utilities
Articles from utilities
TransCanada Files Interim Toll Hike
TransCanada PipeLines filed applications with the NationalEnergy Board and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board last weekfor significant interim toll hikes on its Canadian Mainline andAlberta natural gas transmission systems. The requested tolls wouldgo into effect Jan. 1, 2001.
TransCanada Files Interim Toll Hike
TransCanada PipeLines filed applications with the NationalEnergy Board and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board yesterdayfor significant interim toll hikes on its Canadian Mainline andAlberta natural gas transmission systems. The requested tolls wouldgo into effect Jan. 1, 2001.
FERC Issues ‘Detailed’ Filing Rule for Electric Mergers
FERC last week voted out a final rule that lays out the”detailed” requirements electric utilities must meet whensubmitting merger applications. The new rule is intended to helpmerger partners file “more complete” applications upfront, whichthen would improve the odds for speedier processing by theCommission, said Commissioner William Massey, who has led the drivefor a streamlined merger process at FERC.
FERC Gives Nod to Merger Filing Rule
FERC yesterday voted out a final rule that lays out “detailed”requirements for electric utilities to meet when submitting mergerapplications. The new rule is intended to help merger partners file”more complete” applications upfront, which then would improve theodds for speedier processing by the Commission, said CommissionerWilliam Massey, who has led the drive for a streamlined mergerprocess at FERC.
CA Regulators Temporarily Freeze Electric IT
The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday decided totemporarily mandate that large electricity customers who have optedfor price breaks by voluntarily agreeing to be curtailed duringextreme peak-demand periods remain on their interruptible scheduleat least through March 31, 2001. The regulators took the action tocoincide with a statewide effort now underway to beef up thecurtailment program before next summer to have more voluntarycurtailed load in place if needed to avoid rolling blackouts duringpeak-demand times.
Alliant Energy Signs S. Carolina Munis
Through a new partnership with Alliant Energy IndustrialServices, the Piedmont Municipal Power Agency, representing 10municipal utilities in South Carolina, has taken its next step toprepare its members and customers for a competitive electricmarketplace.
NE ISO’s Capping Authority Broadened
FERC last week broadened the bid-cap authority of the NewEngland Independent System Operator (ISO) to the chagrin of largepower marketers and utilities operating within the New EnglandPower Pool (NEPOOL).
CA Utilities Start Awareness Effort on Gas Prices
California’s three principal gas distributors are gearing up fora major customer education program this fall in the face ofincreased wholesale gas prices ranging from 35% to 50%. It hascaused the companies to dust off conservation and low-incomeassistance programs from previous years.
NJ Requires 7-day Backup For Interruptible Customers
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced last weekthat it would require interruptible natural gas customers tomaintain a seven-day supply of alternative fuels on site, orthrough a firm contractual arrangement. The action will help tomake energy prices in New Jersey a little less volatile going intothe heating season, the BPU said.
