Energy Central Professional Dispatch

=09 =09

[IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Tuesday, February 5, 2002 Home - Email Pref=
erences - Account [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] SITE M=
ENU [IMAGE] [IMAGE] News Power News Gas News Prices S=
tock Market Snapshots Industry M & A Power Plants Nuclear Dat=
a Power Marketing Data Company Profiles Investor Owned Utilities =
Cooperatives Municipals State / Federal [IMAGE] [IM=
AGE] NEW CONTENT! [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Include the following in your =
Energy Central Direct: Electric Utility Restructuring Weekly Update Close=
ly tracked electric utility restructuring developments across the country. =
Energy Central News Search Search for Electric Power or Gas news stories=
up to 30 days old. [IMAGE] [IMAGE] SPONSORS [IMAGE] [IMAG=
E] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Silicon Energy [IMAGE] The Structure Group [IMAGE=
] Allegro Development [IMAGE] Itron [IMAGE] KWI [IMAGE] Excelergy [=
IMAGE] Energy Solutions Plus, Inc. [IMAGE] RER [IMAGE] LODESTAR CORPORA=
TION [IMAGE] [IMAGE] TALK TO US [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Ideas Wan=
ted! We are eager to hear your ideas, feedback, and suggestions for this p=
roduct. Together we will create the most useful information tool for the e=
lectric power industry. Partners Wanted! Reach over 50,000 electric powe=
r professionals with your news, analysis, commentary or insight into the i=
ndustry. Call Mark Johnson at 303-782-5510 [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Adver=
tisement RER ELECTRIC POWER NEWS - TOP STORIES [IMAGE] [IMAGE] =
[IMAGE] Energy Central's editors have selected these as the top stories of =
the day: Australia CitiPower set for trade sale or IPO By Wendy Pugh, M=
ELBOURNE, Feb 4 (Reuters) Boston-Area Utility NStar Says $22.5 Million in P=
enalties Is Excessive By Peter J. Howe, The Boston Globe, Feb. 4 Former En=
ron Chief, Citing Criticism, Decides Not to Testify before Congress By Ann=
e E. Kornblut, The Boston Globe, Feb. 4 Lights out on Edison bid for NZ's C=
ontact WELLINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - [IMAGE] [IMAGE] ELECTRIC PO=
WER NEWS - MOST REQUESTED [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] These stories have=
been most requested by Energy Central members in the last two weeks. Co=
urt overturns approval of AEP, Central SW merger By Julie Vorman, WASHI=
NGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) Enron's Cutthroat Culture Is Deplored by Those It =
Served to Profit By Claudia Kolker, The Boston Globe, Jan. 27 FERC aud=
it shows flaws in Calif power grid operator By Chris Baltimore, WASHING=
TON, Jan 25 (Reuters) Arthur Andersen's CEO Points a Finger at Enron's Bus=
iness Model By Julie Mason, Houston Chronicle, Jan. 21 Report Offers B=
right Outlook for California Power Authority By Rick Jurgens, Contra Co=
sta Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Jan. 19 [IMAGE] [IMAGE] GAS INDU=
STRY NEWS - TOP STORIES [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Energy Central's edi=
tors have selected these as the top stories of the day: Enbridge buys mo=
re U.S. gas pipelines for $178 mln CALGARY, Alberta, Feb 4 (Reuters) Gazpr=
om drops plans to build second gas pipeline to western Europe Feb 04, 2002=
- Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) Maritimes seeks expanded gas line to U.S. =
Northeast NEW YORK, Feb 4 (Reuters) [IMAGE] [IMAGE] UTILITY STOC=
K PRICE - TOP GAINERS [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Utility Stock Price Mo=
vers And Shakers (Top Gainers) [IMAGE] One Week Company Ticker Percent=
Change First Energy FE 7.0 NRG Energy NRG 5.7 GPU Inc. GPU 3.5 =
ALLETE (MPL) 1 ALE 2.6 Chesapeake Utilites CPK 2.4 Conectiv (DEW/A=
TE) CIV 2.1 IDACORP (Idaho Power) IDA 1.9 Calpine CPN 1.7 Duke =
Energy DUK 1.4 30 day Company Ticker Percent Change PGE Corp PCG =
9.0 Atmos Energy Co. ATO 8.0 ALLETE (MPL) 1 ALE 7.9 First Energy =
FE 7.3 Alliant Energy 1 LNT 5.7 Pinnacle West Capital PNW 5.6 I=
DACORP (Idaho Power) IDA 5.6 KeySpan KSE 5.2 DPL Inc DPL 4.9 =
90 day Company Ticker Percent Change PGE Corp PCG 40.8 Edison Interna=
tional EIX 23.7 GPU Inc. GPU 15.3 Otter Tail Power* OTTR 13.9 A=
LLETE (MPL) 1 ALE 11.7 First Energy FE 6.9 Hawaiian Electric1 HE =
6.8 Conectiv (DEW/ATE) CIV 6.4 Nstar NST 5.1 Powered By Baird =
? 2002 Roberts W. Baird & CO. Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Terms o=
f Use [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] KWI [IMAGE] [IMAGE] IN THI=
S ISSUE [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Daily Edition for paul.d.thom=
as@enron.com [IMAGE] Electric Power News Restructuring Today RER's =
eMetrix Load Forecast: CAL ISO Electric Power News - Top Stories Electric=
Power News - Most Requested Gas Industry News - Top Stories Utility Stoc=
k Price - Top Gainers Selected Content Not In This Issue Utilit=
y Spotlight - Every Monday [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] ELECTRIC =
POWER NEWS [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Selected 95 o=
f 95 Articles Today! THESE ARTICLES BROUGHT TO YOU BY Save $100 n=
ow on "Load Management 2001 - Balancing Customers, Regulators and Energy De=
mand" by The C Three Group. The report reveals how programs are in a state =
of flux with some vendors struggling as utilities face great ambiguity. It =
includes candid and sometimes hard-hitting commentary on the design details=
of 18 leading utility programs as well as 23 vendor profiles. The report a=
nalyzes major issues, trends and technology developments. Gain insights and=
competitive intelligence in this essential report. Complete table of conte=
nts and profile samples are available at http://www.energycentral.com/link=
s/show_mi.cfm?id=3D100837 Top Stories Former Enron Chief, Citin=
g Criticism, Decides Not to Testify before Congress By Anne E. Kornblut, =
The Boston Globe, Feb. 4 Kenneth L. Lay, the former Enron chairman under mo=
unting suspicion for the company's spectacular failure, last night unexpect=
edly canceled plans to testify before Congress after hearing prominent lawm=
akers condemn him on television talk shows yesterday. [IMAGE] Lights out=
on Edison bid for NZ's Contact WELLINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - U.S. utilit=
y Edison Mission Energy Ltd (EME) has missed out on taking over New Zealand=
's largest power company, Contact Energy Ltd, after failing to sway key ins=
titutional shareholders. [IMAGE] Boston-Area Utility NStar Says $22.5 Mi=
llion in Penalties Is Excessive By Peter J. Howe, The Boston Globe, Feb. =
4 NStar Electric said Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly's call for $22.5 mi=
llion in penalties for the utility because of last summer's frequent power =
outages is not only excessive but contradicts Reilly's earlier statements o=
n the issue. [IMAGE] Australia CitiPower set for trade sale or IPO By =
Wendy Pugh, MELBOURNE, Feb 4 (Reuters) Victorian electricity retailer and n=
etwork company CitiPower is set to be sold by trade sale or initial public =
offering later this year following American Electric Power's decision to di=
vest the asset. Press Release npower Simplifies Its Gas, Electric=
ity and Telco Billing Process With SPL WorldGroup Morristown, New Jersey =
? February 4th, 2002 SPL WorldGroup, the leading provider of customer manag=
ement solutions to the global energy industry, and npower, one of the UK?s =
largest retail energy companies, has successfully implemented SPL?s industr=
y leading customer management application. Meeting an aggressive six-month =
timetable for implementation, npower is now able to provide its new gas and=
electricity customers with a single bill for both energy products. En=
ergy Security People Close To A Reactor Feel Safe; Terror Warning Arous=
es No Fear Feb 04 - Record - Bergen County Burgers are the favorite at Jo=
hnny Rits sports bar, just a beer bottle's throw from the entrance to the I=
ndian Point nuclear plant in this blue-collar Hudson River village 35 miles=
north of Manhattan. Ridge Opposes Federal Nuke Guards Feb 03 - Ass=
ociated Press Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said Sunday that private=
security forces at nuclear power plants should not be replaced with federa=
l guards, siding with federal regulators and the industry. [IMAGE] ADVER=
TISEMENT ENERGIZE YOUR CAREER - The Energy Central Job Center has a new =
look, new features, premier employers and is updated daily! Visit the ener=
gy industry's largest on-line job center today: http://www.energycentral.=
com/sections/jobs Enron Debacle Senate panel plans to subpoena=
Enron's Lay WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The chairman of the powerful S=
enate Commerce Committee on Monday said he would force former Enron Corp. c=
hairman Kenneth Lay to appear before his panel and called for a special pro=
secutor to probe the failed energy giant's ties to the Bush administration.=
Enron deception started at top-Enron director WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (R=
euters) - Enron Corp. tried to systematically manipulate its results and de=
ceive shareholders as top executives raked in millions of dollars in person=
al gains, the author of an internal inquiry into the company's collapse tol=
d Congress on Monday. Enron chief financial officer to take the Fifth=
WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) Enron's former chief financial officer, who =
is charged with pocketing $30 million from questionable deals that led to t=
he company's collapse, will not answer questions in testimony before Congre=
ss, a lawmaker investigating the firm said on Sunday. Enron Europe li=
abilities billions of dollars LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Administrator Pri=
cewaterhouseCoopers said on Monday it had told creditors that collapsed ene=
rgy company Enron Europe had "billions" of dollars of liabilities. Co=
ngressmen question legality of some Enron transactions By PETE YOST Assoc=
iated Press Writer, WASHINGTON, Feb 03, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) --=
Two members of Congress pointed to possible criminality in the Enron scand=
al Sunday, saying the company manufactured income out of its off-the-books =
partnership deals that led to financial disaster. Enron Swallowed $35=
7M in PGE Payments PORTLAND, Ore., Feb 03, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) --=
Portland General Electric sent Enron more than $357 million in federal tax=
money collected from its ratepayers during the past four years, but its pa=
rent company pocketed the money rather than turn it over to the government,=
a public interest group said. Internal Enron Probe Finds Abuses By=
KRISTEN HAYS Associated Press Writer, HOUSTON, Feb 04, 2002 (AP Online via=
COMTEX) -- Enron Corp. executives pocketed large amounts of money in runni=
ng complex partnerships used to disguise the troubled energy company's fina=
ncial problems while top managers and auditors provided little oversight, a=
n internal probe found. ANALYSIS: Internal Report Suggests Why Enron =
Executives Are So Quiet Now By Jim Landers, The Dallas Morning News, Feb.=
4 After Enron Corp.'s own report on what went wrong, perhaps it's not surp=
rising that Kenneth Lay and several other ex-executives are electing to sta=
y away or stay mum before Congress this week. Enron Rode U.S. Policy,=
Washington Ties to Lofty But Failed Overseas Ventures By Jim Landers, Th=
e Dallas Morning News, Feb. 2 In many ways, says Chamber of Commerce execut=
ive Michael Clark, "the business of U.S. foreign policy in the 1990s was bu=
siness." Enron Debacle Forces Sharper Focus on Company Audit Committe=
es By Dan Feldstein, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 4 At the last meeting of the=
Reliant Energy board of directors' audit committee, the subject was Enron =
Corp. and its highly creative accounting. Interview Offers Glimpse at=
Then-Enron Chairman's Influence By Eric Berger, Houston Chronicle, Feb. =
4 An interview last May with Enron Corp.'s then-chairman Ken Lay has reveal=
ed more of his influence on the nation's energy policy. Former Enron =
Chairman's Rise as Dramatic as His Fall Houston Chronicle, Feb. 3 One day=
last August, Ken Lay faced more than 1,000 Enron employees in the grand ba=
llroom at the Hyatt Regency downtown. Former Enron Workers Feel Let D=
own as Former Chairman Alters Plans By Steve Brewer, Houston Chronicle, F=
eb. 4 For former Enron employees in Houston, Ken Lay's televised testimony =
before Congress was going to be the equivalent of Sunday's Super Bowl. =
Class-Action Suit against Enron May Include You By Pamela R. Winnick, P=
ittsburgh Post-Gazette, Feb. 4 Did you lose your shirt investing in Enron s=
tock? Andersen to hire former Fed Volcker to restore rep-ABC WASHIN=
GTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) Embattled auditor Andersen, criticized for its handli=
ng of fallen Enron Corp.'s books, plans to hire former Federal Reserve Chai=
rman Paul Volcker to help the firm restore its credibility, ABC News report=
ed on Sunday, citing no sources. Enron officials seen facing criminal=
prosecution WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - An internal Enron Corp. report=
showing the company inflated profits while top employees raked in millions=
of dollars they should not have received puts some Enron executives in jeo=
pardy of criminal prosecution, key members of the U.S. Congress said on Sun=
day. FACTBOX-Congress hearings schedule on Enron/Andersen WASHINGTO=
N, Feb 3 (Reuters) The following are the hearings that the U.S. Congress ha=
s firmly scheduled on the collapse of Enron Corp., the role of its auditor =
Andersen, and related regulatory issues over the coming weeks. Latest infor=
mation added is marked with *. AFL-CIO asks SEC bar Enron directors f=
rom boards WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The AFL-CIO called on U.S. regul=
ators on Monday to bar directors of Enron Corp. from serving on other compa=
nies' boards, arguing the directors were "substantially unfit" for such dut=
ies. Ex-Enron CEO Skilling still plans to testify WASHINGTON, Feb 4=
(Reuters) One-time Enron Corp. Chief Executive Jeffrey Skilling still plan=
s to testify before a congressional committee later this week, his spokeswo=
man said on Monday, unlike other former executives of the fallen energy gia=
nt. Deep Roots of Enron Fall Studied By BRAD FOSS AP Business Write=
r, HOUSTON, Feb 03, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Enron's crash now is bei=
ng tracked back to deceptive accounting and unbridled deal-making that were=
part of the company's culture for years. Enron Specter Haunts World =
Forum By EILEEN ALT POWELL AP Business Writer, NEW YORK, Feb 03, 2002 (AP=
Online via COMTEX) -- If there is a ghost haunting the World Economic Foru=
m, it belongs to Enron Corp. Excerpts From Enron Investigation HOUS=
TON, Feb 03, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Here are excerpts from a 203-p=
age internal probe into partnerships that helped fuel Enron Corp.'s collaps=
e last year: British and U.S. unions call for accountants' body to in=
vestigate Wakeham LONDON, Feb 04, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Th=
e Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales said on Monday it=
was awaiting information from U.S. authorities before deciding whether to =
investigate former government minister John Wakeham in connection with his =
role as a director of Enron Corp. No 10 did not reveal all Enron talk=
s Feb 04 - The Guardian The row over the web of influence built up by the=
collapsed energy giant Enron deepened yesterday as it emerged that Downing=
Street failed to disclose a number of meetings the company held with minis=
ters and key advisers to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. California syst=
em was easy pickings / Enron helped build market, then exploited weaknesses=
Feb 03 - San Francisco Chronicle Long before Enron Corp.'s plunge from r=
iches to rags, the Houston energy maverick's aggressive campaign to push go=
vernment regulators out of the electricity industry found its best business=
opportunity in California. Cooper Aims to Reform Enron Into Firm wit=
h Predictable Cash Flows Feb. 4 (Utility Spotlight) In his first day as i=
nterim CEO of Enron, bankruptcy restructuring specialist Stephen Cooper sai=
d he will focus on quickly returning the troubled firm into an energy compa=
ny centered around international and domestic power plants and natural gas =
facilities that will provide predictable revenues and cash flow. Special Of=
fer from this Publisher! Chair of Georgia GOP Says He's Willing to A=
nswer Enron Questions By Jim Galloway, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, =
Feb. 2 During the eight months he's been their chairman, Georgia Republican=
s have found out that when you get Ralph Reed, you get many things. E=
nron Executives Reassured Employees, Investors as Firm Spun Out of Control =
By Charlene Oldham, The Dallas Morning News, Feb. 3 With that very public=
reassurance, Kenneth Lay predicted blue skies on the day that protege Jeff=
rey Skilling unexpectedly stepped down after a six-month stint as Enron Cor=
p.'s chief executive. Jesse Jackson, Others Reiterate Efforts to Get =
Relief for Ex-Enron Workers By Mary Vuong, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 4 The =
Rev. Jesse Jackson on Sunday reiterated his mission to seek financial relie=
f for former Enron employees during a Houston gathering before heading to W=
ashington, D.C., with several of those workers to watch Ken Lay's scheduled=
testimony before Congress today. Harris County, Texas, District Atto=
rney Says Staff Will Not Investigate Enron By Alan Bernstein, Houston Chr=
onicle, Feb. 2 Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said Friday =
his staff is not investigating the possibility of criminal actions in the f=
inancial collapse of Enron Corp. because it has no evidence state laws were=
broken. Houston Congressman Bentsen Heads Roundtable Session for Ex-=
Enron Workers By Lori Rodriguez, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 4 On the eve of =
a congressional hearing today that was to feature former Enron Chairman Ken=
Lay, Houston Congressman Ken Bentsen met with former company employees Sun=
day to hammer out questions for the ex-CEO about the collapse of the compan=
y and the subsequent plight of its workforce. GOP whip DeLay calls fo=
r Lay to testify WASHINGTON, Feb 04, 2002 (United Press International via=
COMTEX) -- A key Republican lawmaker Monday joined the call for former En=
ron head Kenneth Lay to appear before congressional committees investigatin=
g the collapse of the Houston energy giant. Enron inquiry in Senate f=
ocuses on manipulation of futures prices Feb. 4 (Public Power Weekly) A J=
an. 29 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Enron focus=
ed on indications that the energy trading company may have manipulated pric=
es of futures contracts. Special Offer from this Publisher! National =
Energy Policy Bush budget slashes U.S. oil, natgas research funds WAS=
HINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) The U.S. Energy Department's oil and natural gas r=
esearch programs were slashed under President George W. Bush's new fiscal 2=
003 budget released on Monday, while renewable energy and efficiency progra=
ms received a slight funding boost. Enron Disclosures Weigh on Bush =
WASHINGTON, Feb 03, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- A Republican committee=
chairman said Sunday the Bush administration probably will end up revealin=
g information about its energy meetings, amid reports of more contacts with=
Enron and other power companies. Debate continues over disclosure of=
Bush White House energy meetings WASHINGTON, Feb 03, 2002 (AP WorldStrea=
m via COMTEX) -- A Republican committee chairman says the Bush administrat=
ion probably will end up revealing information about its energy meetings, a=
mid reports of more contacts with Enron and other power companies. Com=
petition & Deregulation CEO of Georgia Gas Utility Criticizes Electric =
Company's Moves By Matthew C. Quinn, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fe=
b. 2 The debate over natural gas deregulation turned into a boardroom brawl=
Friday when the top executive of Georgia's No. 1 gas company warned the st=
ate's top electric company to butt out of its business. New Jersey Po=
wer Suppliers Go Shopping Feb 04 - Record - Bergen County New Jersey's fo=
ur electric utilities are going on a shopping spree Monday, securing power =
for their customers in the year ahead. Electric Deregulation Stalls, =
Maybe Forever Feb 04 - Arkansas Business THE MOVE TO A RETAIL open-access=
electricity market in Arkansas stalled, maybe permanently, last month, lea=
ving companies in the energy business to perform some fancy footwork. =
PSC scrutinizes power-bidding practices in quest to curb costs Feb 04 - =
New Orleans CityBusiness STATE REGULATORS ARE preparing to turn up the heat=
on utilities to make sure they get bulk power at the cheapest available pr=
ice. Energy industry poised for offensive Feb 03 - Milwaukee Journa=
l Sentinel The U.S. energy industry is mobilizing in the aftermath of Enron=
Corp.'s collapse against attempts to slow down or reverse deregulation of =
power markets, setting the stage for the biggest debate over the issue sinc=
e the California energy crisis last year. Mergers, Acquisitions & Dive=
stitures AEP hires advisers for UK, Australia sales COLUMBUS, Ohio, F=
eb 4 (Reuters) - American Electric Power Co. Inc. on Monday said it has ret=
ained Schroder Salomon Smith Barney and ABN Amro to advise it on prospects =
for the divestment of Seeboard, its electric and gas utility in southeast E=
ngland. NW Natural Positive on PGE Purchase; Others See Debt, Rate Is=
sues Feb. 4 (Clearing Up) NW Natural remains confident that its proposed =
purchase of Portland General from Enron will go through. Special Offer from=
this Publisher! California Crisis Generators' Plan to Take Over =
Cal-PX Faces Resistance in Bankruptcy Court Feb. 4 (Utility Spotlight) In=
what is getting to be a new era of energy bankruptcies, a quieter, but no =
less complicated, bankruptcy is taking place in a federal court here involv=
ing the defunct non-profit, state-chartered California Power Exchange squar=
ing off against a committee of merchant power suppliers who used to partici=
pate in the day-ahead, day-of, hourly and forward wholesale electricity mar=
kets. Special Offer from this Publisher! CPUC Goes Retro on Direct A=
ccess Feb. 4 (California Energy Markets) In a move that could influence t=
he Enron investigation, the California Public Utilities Commission on Janua=
ry 25 issued a proposed decision that would retroactively suspend direct ac=
cess to July 1, 2001 [R01-01-011]. Special Offer from this Publisher! =
Legislation/Regulation US FERC wants $8 mln budget hike to $200 mln f=
or FY03 WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) Reflecting a bigger emphasis on marke=
t enforcement, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requested a =
budget of nearly $200 million for fiscal 2003, up about $8 million from thi=
s year. PUCT Transition After Chairman Yzaguirre Resigns Is Smooth =
Feb. 4 (Texas Electric Market Reporter) At the start of its January 23 Open=
Meeting, Commissioner Klein announced that she and Commissioner Perlman wo=
uld share chairman duties until such time as a new Chairman is appointed by=
the Governor after Chairman Yzaguirre resigned from the PuCT on January 18=
. Special Offer from this Publisher! General ComEd will allow aud=
it of upgrade costs Feb 04 - Chicago Sun - Times Commonwealth Edison has =
agreed to an outside audit of its 1999 and 2000 outlays to upgrade its elec=
trical systems following the summer of 1999's widespread power failures in =
the city. Trading/Marketing CFTC member raises concerns over Enron=
trading WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) A member of the Commodity Futures Tr=
ading Commission warned U.S. lawmakers that there are "gaping holes" in reg=
ulating the kind of trading carried out by Enron Corp. and said it was prem=
ature to conclude that the company did not manipulate energy markets. =
New Technologies/Markets Emerging Technology Companies Showcased at Ene=
rgy Venture Fair by Jon T. Brock, IssueAlert, Feb. 1 (Scientech) Seventy-=
five emerging technology companies in the energy industry converged on Hous=
ton, Texas earlier this week in what could be called a "dating service" for=
those seeking to raise capital in a tight market. Special Offer from this =
Publisher! Power Pricing/Supply Outages, Cold Winter Weather Supp=
ort Central Power Prices Feb. 4 (Btu's Daily Power Report) Central power =
prices continue to remain strong on the colder weather, though some regions=
were cheaper than traders had expected despite temperatures dipping to bel=
ow normal levels. Special Offer from this Publisher! Task Force Take=
n to Task Feb. 1 (Energy Market Report) Western heavy load energy costs f=
or Monday delivery were mostly steady from levels reported for the Friday/S=
aturday package as weather forecasts called for warmer weather in the new w=
eek and spot gas prices remained relatively stable. Special Offer from this=
Publisher! Transmission & Reliability Budget to boost 2003 Bonne=
ville transmission spending By Chris Baltimore, WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuter=
s) The fiscal 2003 Bush budget unveiled on Monday would give new funding of=
$134 million to public power producer Bonneville Power Administration (BPA=
) to build new electricity transmission lines and other facilities in the P=
acific Northwest. PUCO initiates Commission Ordered Investigation int=
o line extensions Feb 04 - Toledo Business Journal The Public Utilities C=
ommission of Ohio (PUCO) initiated a Commission Ordered Investigation (COI)=
for the purpose of gaining information on past and present line extension =
policies and procedures of FirstEnergy Corp., American Electric Power, and =
Monongahela Power Company. New England/New York ISO Compact Supports =
FERC Plan for 4 Giant RTOs Feb. 4 (Utility Spotlight) The Federal Energy =
Regulatory Commission's goal of creating four giant regional transmission o=
rganizations took a big step forward last week when ISO New England and the=
New York-ISO agreed to develop "a common electricity marketplace for their=
adjacent regions based on a common market design." Special Offer from this=
Publisher! FERC may allow 13% rate of return for MISO t-lines Feb=
. 4 (Public Power Weekly) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members at a=
Jan. 30 meeting left no doubt that they are open to higher rates of return=
for transmission service, potentially as high as 13%?or 16% for new facili=
ties?for the Midwest Independent System Operator. Special Offer from this P=
ublisher! Power Projects PG?sees Conn. power plant in service in =
2 weeks NEW YORK, Feb 4 (Reuters) To help serve the growing need for powe=
r in Connecticut and the rest of New England, PG?National Energy Group expe=
cts the 792 megawatt Lake Road power plant to begin commercial service with=
in two weeks, the company said Monday. Alliant Iowa utility unit plan=
s 500-MW power plant SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 4 (Reuters) Alliant Energy Corp. =
said on Monday its Iowa utility subsidiary plans to build a 500-megawatt po=
wer plant in the state after the company did not receive any bids on the pr=
oject from other energy companies. Plant opponents appeal air permit;=
EPA to decide whether objection will be heard Feb 04 - South Bend Tribun=
e Opponents of a $570 million, 1,100-megawatt power plant proposed for the =
Niles Industrial Park aren't ready to throw in the towel. Legal Da=
llas-Area Utility Files for Bankruptcy, Sues Lender By Katie Fairbank, Th=
e Dallas Morning News, Feb. 2 CoServ girded for the next level of legal bat=
tle on Friday by declaring bankruptcy to halt foreclosure on more than $1 b=
illion worth of property. Enron scandal highlights debate over lawyer=
s' duty to report client wrongdoing By ANNE GEARAN Associated Press Write=
r, PHILADELPHIA, Feb 03, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Lawyers may be=
among the losers in the Enron scandal if it turns out they turned a blind =
eye to accounting flimflams or worse at the failed energy trading company. =
Renewables Bush pushes renewable energy in new budget WASHINGTON=
, Feb 4 (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday proposed a 2.7 percent increas=
e in the Energy Department's discretionary spending for the 2003 spending y=
ear and the administration calls for significant tax incentives to encourag=
e energy efficiency and use of renewable resources. Board OKs land us=
e for AEP wind turbine Feb 04 - South Bend Tribune A device similar to a =
windmill will be built outside New Buffalo by American Electric Power Co. t=
o gauge the ability of nature here to produce electricity. Green ener=
gy: next niche of development Feb 04 - Northern Ontario Business The bone=
-chilling wind that cuts through Sudburians; in winter may eventually play =
a role in keeping them warm. GEPHARDT NAMES RENEWABLES AS PRIORITY #1=
FOR NEXT DECADE Feb. 1 (Wind Energy Weekly) In a speech before the Democ=
ratic Leadership Council on January 29, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt=
(D-Mo.) listed energy security based on renewable resources as the most im=
portant goal for this decade. Special Offer from this Publisher! Plan=
ts ANP sees 570-MW Mass. power plant in service in Q2 NEW YORK, Feb 4=
(Reuters) American National Power expects to have its new 570 megawatts (M=
W) natural gas-fired power plant in Bellingham, Massachusetts, in service d=
uring the second quarter of 2002, the company said on Monday. Fuel =
Enron had sights set on UK coal control Feb 04 - Scotland on Sunday ENRO=
N, the collapsed US energy giant, tried to take control of all coal imports=
into the UK, according to industry sources. Environmental Montana=
Power wants to continue operation from polluted reservoir Feb 04 - The B=
illings Gazette For the fourth time in 15 years, Montana Power Co. has aske=
d federal regulators to extend its operating license at Milltown Dam while =
the Environmental Protection Agency continues work on a cleanup plan for th=
e polluted sediments in its reservoir. Canada?s Kyoto Con Job Feb. =
4 (Electricity Daily) Canada?s official greenhouse plan makes no sense. Spe=
cial Offer from this Publisher! Nuclear Iran warns Israel against=
attacking nuclear plant DUBAI, Feb 4 (Reuters) Iran warned Israel on Mon=
day not to consider attacking its nuclear power plant, saying the Islamic r=
epublic would retaliate in ways "unimaginable" to the Jewish state. N=
uclear power facility still operating after crack in reactor reportedly wid=
ening by ANTHONY DEUTSCH Associated Press Writer, PETTEN, Netherlands, Fe=
b 04, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- A crack in the wall of a small nu=
clear reactor raised concerns about safety practices at a medical and scien=
ce research institute, which agreed Monday to shut down later this week to =
allow more tests and training. Financial Budget would cut Tenn. Va=
lley Authority spending 8 pct WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) The Bush admini=
stration's fiscal 2003 budget proposal released on Monday would shave $634 =
million from the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) federally backed capita=
l expenditures. PPL stock is down, but not out Feb 03 - Morning Cal=
l PPL Corp.'s stock price gained lots of momentum over the past eight month=
s. US companies struggle to ease accounting fears By Julie MacIntos=
h, NEW YORK, Feb 3 (Reuters) The fallout triggered by the Enron Corp. scand=
al has taken on a life of its own, fueled by investor anxiety, and is now r=
eaching into the nooks and crannies of major boardrooms across Corporate Am=
erica. Financial - Ratings TRADE IDEA-JP Morgan says to "overweigh=
t" Calpine NEW YORK, Feb 4 (Reuters) J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. has advised =
investors to "overweight" bonds of independent power producer Calpine Corp.=
British Energy sharply lower as Merrill slashes estimates LONDON, =
Feb 04, 2002 (AFX-UK via COMTEX) -- Shares in British Energy PLC headed th=
e mid-cap fallers list after Merrill Lynch slashed its profits forecasts fo=
r the group due to the persistent weakness of the energy market, said deale=
rs. Financial - Results Parent of Tucson, Ariz., Power Firm Says E=
nergy Sales Helped Net Income By Alan D. Fischer, The Arizona Daily Star,=
Tucson, Feb. 2 Strong wholesale energy sales helped boost UniSource Energy=
Corp.'s 2001 annual net income by 46 percent over a year ago, the company =
announced Friday. CMS posts loss on warm weather, weak economy DEAR=
BORN, Mich., Feb 4 (Reuters) CMS Energy Corp. on Monday reported a fourth-q=
uarter loss on higher power costs, as well as warmer-than-normal weather an=
d the weak economy which cut demand. International Enron collapse =
becomes an object lesson for Asian utilities Feb 04, 2002 - Associated Pr=
ess Enron Corp.'s collapse, and other energy companies' subsequent revision=
of expansion plans, may pose investment opportunities for Asian power comp=
anies but it will also slow deregulation schedules, said delegates at the A=
sia Power Conference 2002 in Singapore Monday. UAE plans to link nati=
onal power grid into regional network By Mena Report Reporters, February =
4, 2002 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ambiti=
ous plans to develop its existing power stations and to upgrade their produ=
ctive capacities, Minister of Electricity and Water Humaid Bin Nasser Al-Ow=
ais stated at the opening of Middle East Electricity exhibition this week. =
Prosecutors open probe into energy cuts to military, but blackouts co=
ntinue By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Associated Press Writer, MOSCOW, Feb 04, 20=
02 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Russian prosecutors on the far eastern Ka=
mchatka Peninsula have opened a criminal investigation into an electric uti=
lity that cut power to military space facilities because of debts, while bl=
ackouts continued at other Russian military sites Monday. Credit Suis=
se will reportedly handle energy privatization Feb 04, 2002 (New World Pu=
blishing via COMTEX) -- Credit Suisse First Boston has reportedly been app=
roached by the Trade and Industry Ministry to contact potential bidders for=
the Czech energy sector. Gov't hot, CEZ cold on a private near-futur=
e By Chris Johnstone, Feb 04, 2002 (New World Publishing via COMTEX) -- =
While the Czech government is keeping alive hopes that it can pull off its =
biggest privatization ever - the sale of the CEZ electricity package - befo=
re June elections, the country's dominant power producer has already given =
up on an early sale. Italy to receive new electricity supply from Gre=
ece Feb 3, 2002, (Il Sole 24 Ore /FT Information via COMTEX) -- The Ital=
ian energy market will soon receive a new supply of electricity from Greece=
. Minister Allays Fears Of NEPA Workers On Privatisation By Emmanue=
l Aziken, Abuja, Feb 04, 2002 (Vanguard/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX)=
-- THE Minister of State for Power and Steel, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, has u=
rged anxious staff of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to be as=
sured of government commitment to their welfare even after the privatisatio=
n of the electric utility. BNDES has R$28.5bi to finance power sector=
Brazil, Feb 1, 2002 (Jornal do Brasil/SABI via COMTEX) -- The BNDES (Ba=
nco de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social) has announced that its portfolio=
of investment resources for energy generation projects for 2002 is R$28.5b=
il, of which R$11.7bil is from the banks own resources. Budget earmar=
ks $8 billion for energy investment Feb. 4 (Latin American Power Watch) B=
razil is stepping up investment in the energy sector this year, according t=
o the federal budget. Special Offer from this Publisher! Endesa to r=
educe Latin American investments Brazil, Feb 1, 2002 (O Globo/SABI via CO=
MTEX) -- Endesa, Spain's largest energy company, is going to reduce its in=
vestments in Latin America. [IMAGE] Powered by Energy Central ? 200=
2 CyberTech, Inc. All rights reserved. More News [IMAGE] [IM=
AGE] Top [IMAGE] RESTRUCTURING TODAY [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] =
[IMAGE] [IMAGE] February 05, 2002 Justice to White House: Hang onto E=
nron documents Enron's board brutally frank in blaming self Harvey =
Goldschmid advocated making securities law Enron scraps get really bi=
g New Pa regulator confirmed Enron ties lead to Lord John's quitt=
ing What about the Kenneth Lay prof? Southern Union gets ready f=
or Tex gas market Ore industrials see high prices if PGE is sold to ga=
s firm Is it OK to make money on power sold to tenants? Restructu=
ring Today (ISSN 1522-7324) is published 247 times a year on business days =
by US Publishing Co at 4418 MacArthur Boulevard, Washington DC Power=
ed By US Publishing ? 2002 US Publishing. All Rights Reserved. More Info=
[IMAGE] [IMAGE] Top [IMAGE] RER'S EMETRIX LOAD FORECAST: CAL=
ISO [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Actual and forecasted hour=
ly load for CAL ISO. [IMAGE] CAL ISO Chart Powered By RER ? 2002 RER=
. All Rights Reserved. [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Top [IMAGE] ABOUT ENERG=
Y CENTRAL PROFESSIONAL [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] This e-mail servi=
ce is part of an Energy Central Professional subscription. * Click here =
to change your preferences. * Visit Member Services to START, STOP, or =
CHANGE FORMAT for all of your e-mail subscriptions. * To STOP receiving =
this service click here or send a message to service@energycentral.com or=
call Member Services at 303-782-5510. Press Releases Submit press relea=
ses and other news to pr@energycentral.com . Sponsorship And Advertising=
For sponsorship or advertising info call sales at 303-782-5510. [IMA=
GE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Home - Feedback - Contact Us - =
About Energy Central [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Copyr=
ight ? 1996-2002 by CyberTech, Inc. All rights reserved. [IMA=
GE] Energy Central
and Energy Central Professional
are registered trademarks of CyberTech, Incorporated. Data and informatio=
n is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended for trad=
ing purposes. CyberTech does not warrant that the information or services =
of Energy Central will meet any specific requirements; nor will it be error=
free or uninterrupted; nor shall CyberTech be liable for any indirect, inc=
idental or consequential damages (including lost data, information or profi=
ts) sustained or incurred in connection with the use of, operation of, or i=
nability to use Energy Central. Other terms of use may apply. Membership =
information is confidential and subject to our privacy agreement . =
[IMAGE] [IMAGE] =09