Word

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) took six unanimous actions regarding natural gas and electricity issues Thursday with nary a word of discussion.

Responding to word earlier this month that Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (CME) and CBOT Holdings, parent of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), have revised the terms of their definitive merger agreement, Atlanta-based IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) has announced that it will invite members of (CBOT) to a meeting to discuss the benefits that an ICE/CBOT combination would deliver to shareholders, members, customers and employees.

Responding to word earlier this month that Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (CME) and CBOT Holdings, parent of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), have revised the terms of their definitive merger agreement, Atlanta-based IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) has announced that it will invite members of (CBOT) to a meeting to discuss the benefits that an ICE/CBOT combination would deliver to shareholders, members, customers and employees.

After less than two years of operation, word on the trading floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) Thursday was that energy hedge fund MotherRock LP is closing its doors following large natural gas trading losses over the past two months.

Judging by Wednesday’s announcement of a massive generating capacity expansion by NRG Energy and earlier word from TXU Corp. that it will expand coal-fired capacity, natural gas is no longer the darling of power generation developers. It appears gas will be sharing the stage with coal, nuclear and wind, at least based on the industry’s latest plans to expand generating capacity.

House Republican leaders have spread the word that they are planning an “Energy Week” this week, which will include a series of votes on various energy proposals. But Washington pundits, citing a continuing political split, expect little in the way of substantive action.

House Republican leaders have spread the word that they are planning an “Energy Week” next week, which will include a series of votes on various energy proposals. But Washington pundits, citing a continuing political split, expect little in the way of substantive action.

Joseph T. Kelliher and Suedeen Kelly have been were sworn in as the newest members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Both are expected to make their debut appearance at the Commission’s next regular meeting on Dec. 17.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Short-Term Energy Outlook for November used the word “robust” for the first time this year to describe the amount of natural gas in storage to meet customer demand. The unseasonably warm weather at the start of the winter heating season, reduced industrial demand, and historically high injections throughout the year are credited for the bulging inventory.