U.S. Federal and Regulatory Developments
EIA suggests federal agencies lack the data needed to track grid adequacy, December 15, 2004, Foster Electric Report.
While the U.S. power industry has changed dramatically over the past few years, the federal government has failed to modify its data collection methods and the types of data collected to reflect those changes. As a result, these agencies may lack the ability to verify that existing and planned transmission capability is adequate "to keep the lights on." This is the main conclusion of a recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) study: Electricity Transmission in a Restructured Industry: Data Needs for Public Policy Analysis. EIA issued the report as part of its responsibility to ensure that the data being compiled by federal and state agencies, and submitted by regulated entities such as independent system operators (ISOs) and regional transmission organizations (RTOs), are sufficient to inform federal policymakers about the state of the nation's wholesale electric power grid.
Industry Developments
Oil & Natural Gas
Training shortages loom for natural-gas tanker crews, December 21, 2004, Bangor Daily News.
A potential shortage of qualified mariners in the liquefied natural gas shipping industry has launched an international effort to boost training and define standards for new LNG tanker officers and crews, according to industry experts.
GSX pipeline project cancelled, December 27, 2004, San Juan Islander.
The Georgia Strait Crossing (GSX) project proposed by BC Hydro and Williams has been cancelled because it is no longer a "competitive option". The $340 million natural gas pipeline project included a four-mile segment in San Juan County waters.
ChevronTexaco Sued in Californian Refinery Emissions, December 23, 2004, Reuters.
Residents of a Northern California town have sued ChevronTexaco Corp over a refinery shutdown that they claim spewed dangerous gases into the air and caused health problems.
FERC conditionlly approves settlement on Paiute LNG plant acquisition and Tuscarora, December 16, 2004, Foster Natural Gas Report.
At its open meeting on 12/15/04, the Commission voted on a draft order approving a Joint Agreement that will resolve multiple proceedings at FERC and two court cases and avert the bypass of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) peak-shaving storage facility near Lovelock, Nev.
Coal
New coal plants bury 'Kyoto',December 23, 2004, Christian Science Monitor.
The official treaty to curb greenhouse-gas emissions hasn't gone into effect yet and already three countries are planning to build nearly 850 new coal-fired plants, which would pump up to five times as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as the Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce
Delay Won't Trigger Crisis, Power Plant Foes Argue, December 29, 2004, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Delay won't trigger crisis, power plant foes argue The state isn't facing an imminent energy crisis if construction of two coal plants in Oak Creek is delayed, opponents of the project said in court filings.
Mining
EPA to lead cleanup of contaminated mine site in Nevada, December 23, 2004, Waste News. (For full text, contact ).
The EPA, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management have shared the cleanup responsibility.
EPA releases plan for cleaning Butte area contamination, December 22, 2004, Helena Independent. (For full text, contact ).
...of mine waste and water contamination here, proposing to concentrate on water treatment rather than removal of mine tailings. The plan, with a price estimated at between $39 million and $56 million, calls for leaving what is known as the Parrot mine tailings in place along a major Butte storm drain, rather than attempting to remove them. Ron Bertram, the EPA's project manager in Helena, said Monday that federal officials believe removing the tailings would do little at this point to prevent or...
Gold Mining Firm Says Discharges Harmless, December 23, 2004, The Los Angeles Times. (For full text, contact ).
Indonesian police have accused Newmont Mining Corp.'s local subsidiary, Newmont Minahasa Raya, of dumping heavy metals into Buyat Bay, causing residents to develop skin diseases and tumors.
Indonesian Villagers Drop US$543 Million Lawsuit against Newmont, December 28, 2004, Reuters.
Indonesian villagers agreed to drop a US$543 million lawsuit (euro398 million) against Newmont Mining Corp., which was accused of polluting a bay that sickened villagers, lawyers for both sides said Tuesday.
Mining booms in British Columbia, December 22, 2004, The Prince George Citizen. (For full text, contact ).
Mining companies spent more than $90 million exploring new mineral interests in British Columbia, where more than 45,000 claims were staked this year, the highest in 13 years.
Nuclear
Ultrafast Supercomputer to Simulate Nuke Explosion, December 26, 2004, The New York Times.
Using a computer doing 360 trillion calculations a second, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab will simulate the explosion of an aging nuclear bomb in three dimensions. The short, highly detailed video produced by the world's fastest computer will attempt to illustrate how missiles dating back to the Nixon administration would perform today.
Utilities
El Paso Corporation Announces Agreement to Sell Cedar Brakes I and II and Assign Associated Power Contracts, December 22, 2004, PR Newswire.
El Paso Corporation announced today that it has agreed to sell the equity interests in its Cedar Brakes I and Cedar Brakes II subsidiaries, which supply power to Public Service Electric and Gas Company, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arroyo Energy Investors LP, a Houston-based affiliate of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc., for cash proceeds of approximately $106 million.
Southwestern Energy Utility Subsidiary Files for Rate Adjustment, December 29, 2004, PR Newswire.
Southwestern Energy Company announced today that its gas distribution subsidiary, Arkansas Western Gas Company (AWG), filed a request with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) for an adjustment in its rates totaling $9.7 million, or 5.2%, annually.
Buyout Rejection Leads to Drop in Shares for UniSource Energy Corp., December 23, 2004, The Arizona Daily Star.
Shares of UniSource Energy Corp. dropped more than 3 percent Wednesday, a day after state regulators rejected a $3 billion buyout of the company by a private investment group.
Connecticut regulators approve rate increases for power companies, December 23, 2004, The New Haven Register.
State regulators approved an 8.8 percent rate increase for The United Illuminating Co. and a 16.7 rate increase for Connecticut Light & Power Co. Wednesday.
Power-Grid Upgrade Gets Initial OK, December 24, 2004, The Boston Herald.
The reliability of Boston's electric system could be improved under a massive transmission-line upgrade given preliminary approval yesterday by regulators.
Calif. Utilities Budget for Climate Change, December 23, 2004, United Press International.
The California Public Utilities Commission now requires the cost of addressing global warming in the future be accounted for in current utility budgets.
Deregulation of power industry not likely to produce new electric providers, December 21, 2004, Chicago Tribune.
The deal that makes Exelon Corp. the nation's largest utility comes against a backdrop of electric industry deregulation and increasing competition. Consumers will hardly notice a difference. And it's not likely that the Chicago-based utility, which is buying New Jersey-based Public Service Enterprise Group for $13.17 billion, will use its size to vanquish a growing horde of competitors.
FERC reluctantly approves settlement allowing WAPA to depart CAL-ISO and set up sub-co, December 15, 2004, Foster Electric Report.
On 12/3/04 FERC approved a settlement (ER04-688, et al.) and the cancellation of certain agreements allowing the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to establish a sub-control area with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) covering the Sierra Nevada region when several of the agency's major contracts with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) expire at the end of this year. The move also means that WAPA will no longer be a member of the California Independent System Operator, Inc. (Cal-ISO).
New corporate-accounting law proves expensive for New Mexico utility, December 27, 2004, Albuquerque Journal.
Public Service Company of New Mexico has spent more than $1 million complying with a new federal mandate designed to protect customers and shareholders from Enron-style accounting scandals.
Consumers' Counsel Requests That State Regulators Reconsider Harmful Cincinnati Gas & Electric Rate Plan, December 27, 2004, PR Newswire.
Ohio's residential utility consumer advocate today called on regulators to reconsider a Cincinnati Gas & Electric rate plan that violates the law and could significantly raise monthly bills.
Wind
Northeastern Pennsylvania gives windmills a spin, December 26, 2004, The Times Leader.
There's one obvious reason this mountainous, sparsely populated township is poised to become one of the leading areas for wind power in the eastern United States.
Westar Not in Wind Market Kansas Utility Says Now Isn't the Right Time, December 27, 2004, Topeka Capital Journal.
Find expanded coverage of wind energy development in the Flint Hills. KEC chairman Lee Allison said the value was boosted by the rising cost of oil and natural gas during the past year. Ethanol production increased 60 percent to a new record of 130 million gallons in Kansas in 2004.
Energy - General
Council finishes energy blueprint, December 26, 2004, Odessa American.
The Texas Energy Planning Council has created a blueprint its members believe will ensure the state remains the nation's leading energy producer. The council recently released its Texas Energy Plan 2005, which includes 10 recommendations for the state Legislature to consider when it reconvenes in January.
Debate over energy issues continues to burn brightly, December 22, 2004, The Chicago Tribune.
The surging cost of oil and the presidential election focused new attention on energy issues in 2004, and that should continue into the new year, which should see higher natural gas prices, cheaper gasoline and more interest in alternative sources.
Renewable energy - general
Utilities Hunt for Loopholes; Many Scramble to Sidestep Renewable Energy, December 28, 2004, The Gazette.
Colorado Springs Utilities is looking at options to get out from under renewable energy standards approved Tuesday by state voters.
Conferences and Hearings
Energy Futures, Options, Derivatives training, January 12-13, 2005, Weehawken, New Jersey.
Attendees will achieve a practical yet rigorous understanding of what futures and options are, how they work, how they are used, and how to measure the risks and rewards associated with them.
Ancillary Services Conference, January 19-20, 2005, Denver, Colorado.
As more and more regions in North America open wholesale markets to competition, the importance of ancillary services is increasingly recognized. These services, generally provided by the same generators that produce the competitive energy product, are vital for both commerce and reliability. This conference will cover New England, New York, PJM, ERCOT, and Alberta markets and provide key details on the engineering, economic, market, and policy issues associated with ancillary services. Join a host of top experts in exploring all aspects of this emerging field!!!
Buying and Selling Electric Power in the West, Jan. 20-21, 2005, Seattle, Washington.
The Tenth Annual "Buying & Selling Electric Power in the West" Conference, will be held Jan. 20 & 21, 2005 in Seattle, WA. Top energy professionals from around the country will convene once again to hear from an exceptional faculty of leading energy attorneys, industry executives, and governmental representatives.
Harvesting Clean Energy, January 20-21, 2005, Helena, Montana.
Montana's Office of the Governor and Office of the Secretary of State, the National Center for Appropriate Technology, US Department of Energy, Montana Grain Growers Association, Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO), Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Climate Solutions, Northwest Co-operative Development Center. The Pacific Northwest's premiere event bringing together the agriculture and energy industries to advance opportunities for agriculture producers and rural communities to profitably diversify into clean energy production and other bio-product markets.
Coal Gasification, January 20-21, 2005, Denver, Colorado.
Learn the fundamentals of coal gasi?cation technologies in the U.S. electric power sector. Focus is on Integrated Gasi?cation Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology, the most successful method of producing electric power and liquid fuels utilizing coal gasi?cation. This invaluable seminar will provide the critical information you need to understand this important technology and its implications for the electric power industry.
Buying & Selling Electric Power in the West, January 20-21, 2005, Seattle, Washington.
In addition to federal and regional updates, the conference addresses important information on new security requirements; key hydro-electric license proceedings; the Trojan plant decommissioning; BPA's transmission allocations; financial markets; risk management strategies; pending litigation and energy strategies for cities and counties.
Natural Gas Technologies 2005: What's New & What's Next, January 30-February 2, 2005, Orlando, Florida.
Join natural gas and energy industry leaders, technology solution providers, government officials, and policymakers in an exchange of information about the latest achievements in natural gas technology.
Understanding the U.S. Natural Gas Industry, February 1, 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This one-day program is for those professionals looking for a comprehensive and clearly explained understanding of the structure and function of the U. S. natural gas industry; the current status of U.S. open access markets; the fundamentals of how the natural gas market operates; and the essentials of making money and managing risk in energy marketing and procurement.
Fundamentals of Energy/Electricity Futures, Options, & Derivatives, February 1-2, 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Energy producers, utilities, industrials, energy marketers, generators and other companies continue to be exposed to significant energy and electricity related price risk, and this risk needs to be managed.
How to Buy, Sell and Manage Natural Gas & Electricity, February 2, 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Subjects addressed by the seminar include: how to assess energy supply requirements; developing a fuel management plan; understanding delivery options; how to assess suppliers and transporters; establishing a working program; understanding energy and electricity contracts and services; managing and monitoring costs and invoices; managing daily job responsibilities; and tips for reducing supply costs.
Understanding Today's US Electric Power Industry, February 3, 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Historic changes in the U.S. electric power industry continue to create both significant opportunities and major risks for a wide variety of industry players. This one-day program is for those professionals looking for a comprehensive and clearly explained understanding of the structure and function of the U. S. electric power industry; the current status of U.S. open access markets; the fundamentals of how the PJM market operates; and the essentials of bulk power.
5th Wind Energy & Power Markets Conference, February 2-3, 2005, Denver, Colorado.
Today the U.S. has more than 6,300 MW of wind generating capacity. According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind power has expanded at an average 28% annually over the past five years in the United States. In spite of all of the progress, there are still significant policy, transmission, and market challenges.
NCSE's 5th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment: Forecasting Environmental Changes, February 3-4, 2005, Washington, DC.
National Science Foundation Director Arden L. Bement, Jr. will deliver a plenary address at the National Council for Science and the Environment's (NCSE) 2005 conference on Forecasting Environmental Changes. The opening keynote address will be delivered by James Gustave Speth, Dean of the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Competition at the Crossroads: The Future of US Restructuring,February 3-4, 2005, Austin, Texas.
Numerous US electric markets will undergo another round of dramatic reforms over the coming few years. KEMA has organized an important meeting to address the business and policy aspects of these forthcoming changes. Competition at the Crossroads: The Future of US Restructuring will assemble a group of senior industry executives, policy makers and thought leaders to discuss the future of competitive power markets and address some of the industry's most pressing questions.
Latin American Energy Finance, February 3-4, 2005, Miami, Florida.
The need for energy developments across Latin America is immense. Government and other sponsors have recognized that a vast amount of private investment will be needed in the near-to mid-term in the energy sector: in electric power plant and distribution system developments, LNG, and the infrastructure to exploit vast amounts of natural gas and newly discovered light gas resources.
Gas-to-Electricity Arbitrage & How to Maximize the Profitability of Electric Generation Assets, February 4, 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In today's difficult environment, understanding profitable cross-commodity transaction structures and how to capitalize on the optionality of electric generating assets has never been more important. This one-day program is for those seeking a better understanding of spark spread economics; heat-rate-linked power transactions; the inherent optionality of coal and gas-fired generating plants; gas-to-electricity arbitrage (with and without generating assets); and the proper management of cross-commodity price risk.
Gas and Electric Business Understanding, February 14-15, 2005, NYC, New York.
Gas and Electric Business Understanding provides a comprehensive overview of both the natural gas and electric industries. The seminar focuses not only on the fundamentals, but also explores the important strategic issues that are at the heart of today's complex energy marketplace. The course blends lecture and interactive individual and group exercises and market simulations to provide a valuable and memorable learning experience. Topics covered include End Users, The Physical System and Delivery Chain, Regulation and Deregulation, Industry Evolution, The Future, and more.
LNG - From Bust to Boom!, February 16 and 17, 2005, NYC, New York.
LNG - From Bust to Boom! provides an in-depth overview of the LNG industry and is designed for those with limited knowledge of the industry. Details include an overview of the increasingly important role of LNG in the natural gas marketplace, the LNG supply chain, issues with regulation, safety and security, the dynamics of LNG, why LNG is so important at this time, the financials that make LNG viable, and a look at the future of the industry.
Managing the Modern Utility Rate Case, February 17-18, 2005, Las Vegas Nevada.
For the first time in years many utilities are facing rate case and regulatory issues that directly impact the bottom line. This conference will help you to understand the new rate case environment and provide tools for managing it to bring about win-win results.
Bio CEO & Investor Conference 2005, February 23-24, 2005, New York, New York,
Investing in Biotechnology: The Value, The Risks, The Rewards:
24 Focus Sessions addressing important therapeutic and technology topics with industry experts and relevant company executives, 120 individual company presentations, One-on-one meetings arranged for investors with corporate management, Roundtables and plenary sessions on key business issues and industry trends.
Regulation of the Electricity and Natural Gas Industries: An Introduction, March 17-18, 2005, Washington, DC.
New Conference Provides Comprehensive Regulatory Primer for Energy Newcomers. Novices and veterans alike will learn how to navigate today's increasingly complex web of energy and natural gas regulation.
International
China Emerging as U.S. Rival for Canada's Oil, December 23, 3004, The New York Times.
China's thirst for oil has brought it to the doorstep of the United States.Chinese energy companies are on the verge of striking ambitious deals in Canada in efforts to win access to some of the most prized oil reserves in North America. The deals may create unease for the first time since the 1970's in the traditionally smooth energy relationship between the United States and Canada.
Norway Oil Drilling To More Than Double, December 24, 2004, Reuters.
High oil prices will spur the drilling of up to 40 new oil and gas exploration wells offshore Norway in 2005, rising from 16 this year, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said on Thursday.
Repsol, BP enjoy gas find bonanza in Caribbean, December 22, 2004, International News Alliance.
Repsol YPF said Tuesday that its bpTT joint venture with BP in Trinidad & Tobago has discovered a large gas field that holds an estimated 360 million barrels of oil equivalent. The leading Spanish oil firm said the venture's Chachalaca x-1 discovery well reached a total depth of 4,765 meters and is located in the East-Mayaro block, offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and east of Trinidad.
Saudi Government Approves Kyoto Climate Protocol, December 21, 2004, Reuters.
Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, gave its approval on Monday to the Kyoto protocol which aims to stem global warming, the official Saudi Press Agency said.