Vote

The U.S. House is expected to vote today on an energy appropriations bill that, among other things, will attempt to block construction of the 744-mile Gulfstream Natural Gas System pipeline project that would transport gas from Mobile Bay, AL, across the Gulf of Mexico to the ever-expanding Florida market.

The Broward County Commission today will consider a proposal that, if approved, would impose an 11-month moratorium on the construction of new power plants in the county, but an Enron Corp. spokesperson yesterday said that Florida’s environmental protection agency may step in and tell the county that such a move is illegal.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by a 5-0 vote last Monday extended its power market mitigation program across the western states 24 hours a day, seven days a week through September, 2002, with a two-part cost-based formula addressing spot prices during emergency and non-emergency periods (EL00-95-031). The new mitigation program went into effect June 20.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by a 5-0 vote Monday extended its power market mitigation program across the western states 24 hours a day, seven days a week through September, 2002, with a two part cost-based formula addressing prices during emergency and non-emergency periods. The new mitigation program begins the day after the issuance of the order.

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on energy and air quality yesterday voted 17-13 to forward a Republican stopgap bill to aid California to the full panel. The vote on the measure, sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), was strictly along party lines.

MCN Energy Group Inc. Friday called for a special meeting ofcommon stock shareholders to be held May 15, 2001, at 2 p.m.eastern time at MCN’s headquarters to approve the long-delayedmerger with DTE Energy Co.

On a strictly partisan 3-2 vote, California regulators Thursdayblocked attempts by the state’s two near-bankrupt investor-ownedutilities to cut their work forces and services in order toconserve cash while awaiting a settlement with the state on theirfuture financial viability. Responding to an emergency request froma coalition of utility workers’ unions, the California PublicUtilities Commission’s (CPUC) action means proposed staffinglayoffs of several thousand regular and contract workers, totalinghundreds of millions of dollars in operating costs, will nothappen.

By a vote of 98-0, the Senate yesterday voted out apipeline-safety bill that essentially mirrors the legislation thatwas passed last year, with one “significant” change – it wouldrequire natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to undergosafety inspections every five years. But, as with any Capitol Hilllegislation, it would allow waivers under certain circumstances.

Referring to herself as both a “conservationist and aconservative,” Interior Secretary nominee Gale Norton walked atightrope last week in an effort to persuade her Senate Republicanand Democratic inquisitors that, despite the heated controversysurrounding her nomination, she is the best choice for the job.