Valley

Shell Canada Ltd.’s CEO said last week that the company remains committed to the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline, but Shell and the other companies that would build it still need clear guidelines from the federal government.

Imperial Oil Ltd. CEO Tim Hearn said Thursday that a 2010 targeted startup for the proposed C$7 billion ($5.6 billion) Mackenzie Valley pipeline may be in jeopardy because of continuing regulatory delays.

Imperial Oil Ltd. CEO Tim Hearn said Thursday that a 2010 targeted startup for the proposed C$7 billion ($5.6 billion) Mackenzie Valley pipeline may be in jeopardy because of continuing regulatory delays.

Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley telecommunications multi-millionaire entrepreneur, withdrew his name on Wednesday from consideration to fill one of the five seats on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), citing too many conflicts with his rich and varied personal investment portfolio. Poizner, an unsuccessful candidate for an elected state legislative seat two years ago, said he plans to run next year for the state Insurance Commissioner’s post.

Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley telecommunications multi-millionaire entrepreneur, withdrew his name on Wednesday from consideration to fill one of the five seats on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), citing too many conflicts with his rich and varied personal investment portfolio. Poizner, an unsuccessful candidate for an elected state legislative seat two years ago, said he plans to run next year for the state Insurance Commissioner’s post.

Pioneer Natural Resources said it has released all of its existing shallow gas leases in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in Alaska in response to a contentious debate with residential landowners over the leases and to new legislation affecting the area. The leases were part of its merger with Evergreen Resources that closed on Tuesday. The released leases cover 235,500 acres and include farm-outs and the Mental Health Trust lease No. AK550.185 located east of the Pioneer Unit near the town of Palmer. As a part of the strategic planning and due diligence associated with the merger, Pioneer decided to relinquish the leases issued under the over-the-counter leasing program and to withdraw the exploration license applications made by Evergreen in August. “We strongly support the state’s new gas-only leasing program defined by HB531, and we encourage them to continue the best interest finding process for the Mat-Su,” said CEO Scott D. Sheffield. “We support the efforts of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly to develop a regulatory program that recognizes the state’s primacy while at the same time representing the borough’s interests.” The leases being released were on residential land. Pioneer also holds nearly one million gross acres on the North Slope and has working partnerships with ConocoPhillips, Anadarko and others.

Increasing demands and roadblocks by aboriginal groups in Canada are contributing to fears the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline Project may suffer the same fate of a similar Mackenzie project nearly 25 years ago, which was abandoned in the face of aboriginal rights claims.

Increasing demands and roadblocks by aboriginal groups in Canada are contributing to fears the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline Project may suffer the same fate of a similar Mackenzie project nearly 25 years ago, which was abandoned in the face of aboriginal rights claims.

TGT’s Airways Delivery Meter Station to the Memphis Light Gas and Water citygate is out of service through May 31 for facility modifications. Tennessee Valley Authority’s Allen Power Plant is served through the station.