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[IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Thursday, February 7, 2002 Home - Email Pre=
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ECTRIC POWER NEWS - TOP STORIES [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Energy Centr=
al's editors have selected these as the top stories of the day: Con Ed t=
o add 2,000 MW in U.S. Northeast by 2004 By Scott DiSavino, NEW YORK, Feb =
6 (Reuters) Massachusetts' Biggest Utility Is Ready to Face $5.6 Million in=
Forced Refunds By Peter J. Howe, The Boston Globe, Feb. 6 No quick sale f=
or Enron's UK power station stake By Matthew Jones, LONDON, Feb 6 (Reuters=
) Texas Utility Commission Faces Backlog of Consumer Complaints By Claudia=
Grisales, Austin American-Statesman, Texas, Feb. 6 [IMAGE] [IMAGE]=
ELECTRIC POWER NEWS - MOST REQUESTED [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Thes=
e stories have been most requested by Energy Central members in the last tw=
o weeks. Enron's Cutthroat Culture Is Deplored by Those It Served to Pro=
fit By Claudia Kolker, The Boston Globe, Jan. 27 Many States Reconside=
ring Electric Competition, MIT Professor Says By Alan D. Fischer, The A=
rizona Daily Star, Tucson, Jan. 30 FERC audit shows flaws in Calif power g=
rid operator By Chris Baltimore, WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) Calif. r=
egulators urged to shift power choice date SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 28 (Reute=
rs) NY, New England power grid operators agree to join NEW YORK, Jan 2=
9 (Reuters) [IMAGE] [IMAGE] GAS INDUSTRY NEWS - TOP STORIES =
[IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Energy Central's editors have selected these as t=
he top stories of the day: Aspen, Promax say they plan to merge TORONTO=
, Feb 6 (Reuters) Gas consortium says new line to Europe through Poland wil=
l go ahead Feb 06, 2002 - Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) Georgia Panel Favo=
rs Regulated Natural Gas Provider By Matthew C. Quinn, The Atlanta Journal=
-Constitution, Feb. 6 [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAG=
E] IN THIS ISSUE [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Daily Edition for p=
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No quick sale for Enron's UK power station stake By Matthew Jones, LON=
DON, Feb 6 (Reuters) Future ownership of Enron's most valuable physical ass=
et in Europe, the UK Teesside power station, remained in the balance on Wed=
nesday as its co-owners struggled to unravel contractual issues surrounding=
the bankrupt U.S. energy company's 250 million pound ($353.5 million) stak=
e. [IMAGE] Texas Utility Commission Faces Backlog of Consumer Complaints=
By Claudia Grisales, Austin American-Statesman, Texas, Feb. 6 The Texas =
Public Utility Commission is swamped by a backlog of consumer complaints, a=
nd the number is likely to rise as Texans contend with the changes caused b=
y electric power deregulation. [IMAGE] Massachusetts' Biggest Utility Is=
Ready to Face $5.6 Million in Forced Refunds By Peter J. Howe, The Bosto=
n Globe, Feb. 6 After failing to persuade state regulators to change the ru=
les, Massachusetts Electric Co., the state's biggest utility, is now acknow=
ledging it should face $5.6 million in forced refunds to customers for last=
summer's spate of power failures. [IMAGE] Con Ed to add 2,000 MW in U.S=
. Northeast by 2004 By Scott DiSavino, NEW YORK, Feb 6 (Reuters) Betting =
that electricity demand will soon rebound from the current economic slump, =
Consolidated Edison Inc. said Wednesday it was pushing ahead with plans to =
add about 2,000 megawatts of generation to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic g=
rid by 2004. Enron Debacle Former Enron CEO Lay Set to Face House=
Panel under Subpoena By Robert Schlesinger, The Boston Globe, Feb. 6 For=
mer Enron CEO Kenneth L. Lay, under subpoena from two congressional committ=
ees that are investigating the role of the energy giant's management in its=
collapse, will appear before Congress next week. Testimony by Anders=
en Leader Tries to Downplay Role in Enron Collapse By David Ivanovich, Ho=
uston Chronicle, Feb. 6 The head of Arthur Andersen struggled Tuesday to do=
wnplay the auditing firm's role in Enron's collapse. Benefits Funds M=
ay Have Been Illegally Used, Former Enron Employee Says By Bill Murphy, H=
ouston Chronicle, Feb. 6 A former Enron Corp. accountant on Tuesday said th=
e company may have broken the law by taking $15 million out of employee ben=
efits funds to use on unrelated expenditures. Enron Executives Explai=
n Actions to Senate Panel over Retirement Plans By Patty Reinert, Houston=
Chronicle, Feb. 6 Two Enron executives told a Senate panel Tuesday that th=
ey scrambled to protect employees' retirement savings and severance pay as =
soon as they realized the company was collapsing last year. Lay Knew =
Enron Was Misleading the Public, Board Member Testifies Knight Ridder Was=
hington Bureau, Feb. 6 Kenneth Lay, Enron Corp.'s former chief executive of=
ficer, had detailed knowledge of deals that presented a misleading picture =
of the company's finances to the public, the chief author of a scathing int=
ernal report told Congress on Tuesday. CFO pressured Enron staff on d=
eals, Congress told By C. Bryson Hull, WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) The ou=
sted chief financial officer of Enron Corp.wielded his managerial influence=
and control over bonuses to persuade underlings to cut favorable deals to =
partnerships he ran, the head of an internal inquiry into the transactions =
told Congress on Tuesday. German RWE seeks 11 mln euros from Enron Eu=
rope FRANKFURT, Feb 6 (Reuters) German utility RWE is claiming 11 million=
euros from the administrators of Enron Europe and believes it is mainland =
Europe's biggest energy trading claimant against the company, a senior RWE =
executive said on Wednesday. Enron Gets Blame for Energy Crisis in We=
stern States By Bob Keefe, Austin American-Statesman, Texas, Feb. 6 Did E=
nron Corp. help create California's energy crisis just to prop itself up fi=
nancially? Former Enron Employees Cool to Idea of Immunity for Execut=
ives By Bruce Nichols, The Dallas Morning News, Feb. 6 There's little sym=
pathy in Enron Corp.'s hometown for speeding investigation of the energy co=
mpany's collapse by granting criminal immunity to executives in exchange fo=
r their testimony. Enron's Broadband Unit Owes Back Taxes in Harris C=
ounty, Texas By Dale Lezon, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 6 One of Enron Corp.'=
s failed business ventures owes Harris County and other entities about $440=
,000 in back taxes, said county officials. California Senator Challen=
ges Lay, Cheney to Speak Up about Enron Memo By Lawrence M. O'Rourke, The=
Sacramento Bee, Calif., Feb. 5 In a blunt challenge to Vice President Dick=
Cheney and former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay, Sen. Barbara Boxer said Mond=
ay both men should explain their handling of an Enron memo she says was lin=
ked to more than $8.9 billion in energy overcharges to California consumers=
. Enron Gave `Retention Bonuses' Yet 4,500 Workers Denied Severance =
By Patrice Hill, The Washington Times, Feb. 6 Enron Corp. gave $55 million=
in "retention bonuses" to selected managers two days before filing for ban=
kruptcy protection, but it said it could not provide severance pay to 4,500=
laid-off employees, company officials testified yesterday. Calpers d=
efends decision to keep quiet on Enron SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 5 (Reuters) - C=
alPERS, the nation's largest pension fund and a leading champion of corpora=
te transparency, defended itself on Tuesday amid revelations that it knew e=
arly on about a problematic Enron partnership but did nothing to make that =
knowledge public. Substantial illegal Enron activity found-Tauzin W=
ASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) Congressional investigators have uncovered "subs=
tantial evidence of illegal activity" by the now-bankrupt Enron Corp. and i=
ts management, Rep. Billy Tauzin, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce=
Committee, said Wednesday. Canadian Banks Owed Millions of Dollars b=
y Enron OTTAWA, February 6, 2002 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- A Canadian conne=
ction has turned up in the notorious Enron affair in the United States, it =
is reported here Wednesday. Andersen put profits before shareholders =
- Washington state attorney general WASHINGTON, Feb 06, 2002 (AFX-Europe =
via COMTEX) -- Christine Gregoire, the state attorney general of Washington=
state, said it appears that Enron Corp's accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP,=
"have put their allegiance to money over their ultimate allegiance owed to=
creditors, stockholders and the investing public." Enron Europe's de=
bts 'total billions of dollars' Feb 05 - Evening Standard - London AROUND=
1000 power and gas trading companies and financial institutions across Eur=
ope are owed "billions of dollars" by Enron according to administrators of =
the London-based end of the failed US energy firm. California Gov. Gr=
ay Davis Refuses to Return Enron Contribution By Sandy Kleffman, Contra C=
osta Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Feb. 5 Republican gubernatorial candidate=
Richard Riordan called on Gov. Gray Davis Monday to return $119,500 in cam=
paign contributions from energy giant Enron Corp. Some Victims of Enr=
on Are Seniors Who Became Shareholders Inadvertently By James B. Kelleher=
, The Orange County Register, Calif., Feb. 3 They grew up during the Depres=
sion. Former Enron Chief Is `Devastated,' Friend Says By James Rose=
n, The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Feb. 5 Kenneth Lay, a president's pal who bu=
ilt a company that soared and crashed on the torn wings of high-risk energy=
trading, wanted to go to Washington in the worst way and try to clear his =
name. Enron letter questions Harvard board member's role By Joseph =
P. Flood, CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 05, 2002 (Harvard Crimson, U-WIRE via COMTE=
X) -- Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives raised concerns Frid=
ay over the dual role of Harvard Corporation member Herbert S. "Pug" Winoku=
r Jr., who is both an Enron investigator and Enron board member. Cong=
ress Debates Enron Legislation By LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press Writer,=
WASHINGTON, Feb 06, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- In the shadow of electi=
on-year politics, Republican and Democratic members of Congress are squabbl=
ing over what changes should be made to bankruptcy and other laws to preven=
t new Enron-style corporate collapses. US executives should disclose =
inside share trading more fully - stock analyst WASHINGTON, Feb 06, 2002 =
(AFX-Asia via COMTEX) -- Corporate executives should be obliged to disclos=
e their internal stock transactions immediately instead of on a delayed bas=
is, the president of a New York investment management firm told lawmakers i=
nvestigating the collapse of Enron Corp. Labor Secy. Testifies in Enr=
on Case By MARCY GORDON AP Business Writer, WASHINGTON, Feb 06, 2002 (AP =
Online via COMTEX) -- After Enron's collapse, American workers need assuran=
ce their retirement savings are secure, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said We=
dnesday in a pitch for the president's plan to change retirement account ru=
les. Houston Astros Team Seeks to End Naming-Rights Agreement with En=
ron By Sean Wood, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, Feb. 6 The Houston Ast=
ros Baseball Club is ready to take Enron's name off the team's downtown bas=
eball stadium and distance itself from the scandal surrounding the biggest =
corporate bankruptcy in American history. FACTBOX-Congress hearings s=
chedule on Enron/Andersen WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) The following are t=
he hearings that the U.S. Congress has firmly scheduled on the collapse of =
Enron Corp., the role of its auditor Andersen, and related regulatory issue=
s over the coming weeks. National Energy Policy Memo: Cheney Energ=
y Draft Inaccurate By PETE YOST Associated Press Writer, WASHINGTON, Feb =
05, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- An Environmental Protection Agency offic=
ial argued last spring that a draft of Vice President Dick Cheney's energy =
plan was inaccurate because it blamed environmental regulations for energy =
shortages. [IMAGE] ADVERTISEMENT Energy Customer Management magazine =
is providing advertising opportunities in its annual "Executive Guide to P=
roviders of Customer Management Services" issue. In addition to reaching E=
CM's 17,000 readers, this issue will receive bonus distribution at numero=
us industry events. Contact Joe Paparello for details at paparello@pur.com=
or 703-847-7759. Competition & Deregulation Florida Off The Gri=
d Feb 06 - Palm Beach Post FPL Group's new chairman, Lew Hay, says Florid=
a should take "the go-slow approach" to energy deregulation. Mergers, =
Acquisitions & Divestitures Xcel Energy On a Growth Mission; Is a Mega-=
Merger in the Works? By Will McNamara, IssueAlert, Feb. 6 (Scientech) Min=
neapolis, Minn.-based Xcel Energy is courting FirstEnergy, TXU and Entergy =
Corp. as potential merger partners. Special Offer from this Publisher! =
Vienna looks for 'Austrian' solution with E.ON Feb 6, 2002, (Suddeutsc=
he Zeitung /FT Information via COMTEX) -- The deal to pool the hydroelectr=
ic interests of E.ON AG, the German utility group, and Osterreichische Elek=
trizitatswirtschafts-AG Verbundgesellschaft (Verbund), its Austrian rival w=
hich is 51 per cent-owned by the Austrian state, is being called into quest=
ion by the latter country's politicians. California Crisis Enron's=
Roseville Project Fizzling Out Feb. 6 (California Energy Markets) A hand=
ful of Enron workers were in the unenviable position of defending the firm'=
s proposed 900 MW Roseville power project at an evening public hearing on t=
he proposed license [01-AFC-14]. Special Offer from this Publisher! L=
egislation/Regulation MPSC Begins Investigation into Detroit Edison's a=
nd Michigan Consolidated Gas' Quality of Service LANSING, February 6 (New=
s Release) Due to a significant increase in the number of formal and inform=
al consumer complaints, billing errors, and customer confusion on billing, =
the Michigan Public Service Commission today initiated an investigation int=
o the quality of service provided by The Detroit Edison Company and Michiga=
n Consolidated Gas Company. Rates Gaz Metropolitain hopes to gain =
new clients from Hydro-Quebec increases MONTREAL, Feb 06, 2002 (The Canad=
ian Press via COMTEX) -- Gaz Metropolitain expects that Hydro-Quebec's pla=
ns for an increase in electricity rates will help the company in its search=
for new clients, Gaz Metropolitain's president said Wednesday. Genera=
l Mild winter slashes demand for US natgas, electricity WASHINGTON, F=
eb 6 (Reuters) Mild winter temperatures and a weak economy will reduce U.S.=
demand for natural gas and electricity by as much as 8.4 percent during th=
e current winter heating season, the U.S. government said on Wednesday. =
Joint Ventures & Alliances Leading Competitive Energy Retailers Form =
The Alliance for Retail Choice Feb. 6, Washington, D.C. (News Release) Th=
e nation's leading companies offering customers retail energy choice announ=
ced today the formation of the Alliance for Retail Choice. Trading/Mar=
keting Deal to revive energy marketer's trading operation to close this=
week By ALAN CLENDENNING AP Business Writer, NEW YORK, Feb 06, 2002 (AP =
WorldStream via COMTEX) -- The deal to revive Enron Corp.'s flagship energy=
trading operation under the control of a Swiss bank is expected to close t=
his week, and former Enron traders will start trading again soon after the =
deal is completed. Deals/Contracts Occidental Oman purchases power=
generators from France's Alstom By Mena Report Reporters, February 6, 20=
02 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) -- Frances's Alstom Power won a five million dol=
lar contract to supply Occidental of Oman Inc. with two Tempest 7.7-megawat=
t gas turbine generators, to power water injection pumps at the Safah East =
Lobe water flood project in Oman. Power Pricing/Supply Heavy Utili=
ty Buying Supports Steady Price for West Power Feb. 6 (Btu's Daily Power =
Report) Power traded at the major hubs in the Western U.S. were strengthene=
d today by heavy utility buying which allowed those with power to artificia=
lly inflate the market despite weakening fundamentals. Special Offer from t=
his Publisher! Take the Money and Run Feb. 5 (Energy Market Report=
) Peak power prices for Wednesday delivery were mostly steady across the We=
st on Tuesday, largely due to a stagnant spot gas market and near-normal te=
mperatures. Special Offer from this Publisher! Transmission & Reliabi=
lity ERCOT's Governance Subcommittee Finds Satisfaction Currently High =
Among Stakeholders Feb. 6 (Texas Electric Market Reporter) The first meet=
ing of ERCOT's new Governance Subcommittee was held January 29, with approx=
imately 30 attendees. Special Offer from this Publisher! Power Projec=
ts Midwest Power Says Conditions for New Berlin, Wis., Plant Permit Are=
Met By Corissa Jansen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 5 Told by the ci=
ty last week that its permit to build a power plant in New Berlin has expir=
ed, Illinois-based Midwest Power LLC responded Monday by asking for a writt=
en retraction from the city, arguing that it has met the conditions of its =
permit. Alliant Energy delays Mich. plant construction MADISON, Wis=
., Feb 5 (Reuters) - Alliant Energy Corp. on Tuesday said it agreed with Pa=
nda Energy International to delay construction on a natural gas-fueled powe=
r plant in Michigan due to construction costs and timing. INDONESIA T=
O RESUME SHELVED POWER PROJECTS JAKARTA, Feb 06, 2002 (AsiaPulse via COMT=
EX) -- In response to a looming power crisis, the Indonesian government ha=
s decided to resume development of several power generating projects that w=
ere shelved in 1997 during the financial crisis. House Panel Oks Legi=
slation on Coal-Fired Electric Plants Feb 06, 2002 - www.newsok.com A sta=
te House committee Tuesday approved legislation that would give a financial=
incentive for electricity producers to build coal-fired generating plants.=
Legal Mueller to be sued by energy broker if E.ON/Ruhrgas ruling =
overturned FRANKFURT, Feb 06, 2002 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) -- Economy Mi=
nister Werner Mueller will be sued by Berlin energy broker Energie-Brokerha=
us Ampere AG if he overrules the German cartel office's disapproval of E.ON=
AG's takeover of a majority stake in Ruhrgas AG, the weekly newspaper Die =
Zeit said. Renewables 10 power producers to join energy scheme by =
year end Feb 06 - New Straits Times THE Government's small renewable ener=
gy programme (SREP) is on track with more than 10 new power producers expec=
ted to join the sector by year end. Banks urged to help realise new e=
nergy sources target Feb 05 - Business Times - Kuala Lumpur FINANCIAL ins=
titutions are urged to assist producers of renewable energies to help reali=
se the Government's target of generating about 750MW or 5 per cent of total=
power generation from new energy sources by the year 2005. NEG MICON=
TRIES OUT LIGHTER BLADE DESIGN Feb. 1 (Wind Energy Weekly) On January 31=
, NEG Micon issued a press release concerning a new, lighter blade design o=
ptimized for lower wind speeds. Special Offer from this Publisher! C=
oncession contract for Mazar ready in two weeks Ecuador, Feb 5, 2002 (El =
Universo/SABI via COMTEX) -- The contract for the concession of the hydroe=
lectric plant Mazar will be ready within two weeks, according to the Ecuado=
rian government that will select among two consortium, ACS-Cobra Omegaport,=
and Impregilo - Ansaldo Energia - Tasca-Lain previously qualified by the e=
nergy council Conelec. Fuel Russia, US resume uranium talks Feb =
06, 2002 - Agence France-Presse Russian and US negotiators took another cra=
ck Wednesday at striking a deal that would see Moscow sell uranium from its=
nuclear warheads to fuel power plants in the United States. Environme=
ntal HOLLAND BUYS CARBON CREDITS WITH WORLD BANK DEAL Feb. 1 (Wind En=
ergy Weekly) The Dutch government January 18 became the first to purchase c=
arbon dioxide (CO2) credits to help meet emissions reduction goals set by t=
he Kyoto Protocol when it finalized a contract with the International Finan=
ce Corporation (IFC) to develop clean energy projects in developing countri=
es. Special Offer from this Publisher! Nuclear FPL says St Lucie=
2, Fla. nuke back at full power NEW YORK, Feb 6 (Reuters) Florida Power =
& Light Co said Wednesday its 839-megawatt (MW) St Lucie 2 nuclear power un=
it had returned to full output as of early Wednesday from an unexpected shu=
t down earlier this week. Nev. Nuclear Waste Plan Faulted by Ex-Offic=
ial Feb 06, 2002 - washingtonpost.com The former head of a federal projec=
t to build a nuclear waste storage facility in Nevada said yesterday that U=
.S. officials have known since 1995 that the site's geologic features would=
not adequately protect groundwater and air from potential radioactive poll=
ution. Financial TVA Expects To Reduce Its Debt by $252 Million Ne=
xt Fiscal Year Feb 06, 2002 - KnoxNews.com "TVA is reducing its debt to p=
repare the agency for competition" in the electric power industry, accordin=
g to President Bush's budget package sent to Congress on Monday. Finan=
cial - Ratings Mirant says "disappointed" with Moody's rating talks L=
OS ANGELES, Feb 5 (Reuters) Mirant Corp chief executive officer Marce Fulle=
r said on Tuesday she was disappointed with the progress made in talks with=
Moody's Investors Service about restoring the company's investment-grade c=
redit rating. Enersis/Endesa on Rating Watch Negative - Fitch CHICA=
GO, Feb 06, 2002 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) -- Fitch said it has placed the A=
- local and foreign currency ratings of Enersis SA and unit Endesa-Chile on=
Rating Watch Negative due in part to the crisis in Argentina. Financi=
al - Results Reliant Energy Unit Startles Market with Accounting Issue =
By Nelson Antosh, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 6 Reliant Resources, the unregu=
lated power provider and trading unit of Reliant Energy, Tuesday surprised =
investors by announcing an accounting problem instead of its fourth-quarter=
earnings. Wisconsin Energy profits rise MILWAUKEE, Feb 6 (Reuters)=
- Wisconsin Energy Corp. on Wednesday said fourth-quarter profits rose nea=
rly 29 percent due to improved recovery of fuel and purchased power costs t=
hat offset the negative effect of unseasonably warm weather. Calpine =
shares slide 14 pct as power sector slumps NEW YORK, Feb 6 (Reuters) Shar=
es of power producer Calpine Corp. on Wednesday fell as much as 20 percent =
as continued weakness in the U.S. economy, low commodity prices and signifi=
cant expected generation additions in 2002 pressure the independent power s=
ector. United warns of dive in earnings By Rod Myer, Feb 7, 2002 (T=
he Age - ABIX via COMTEX) -- United Energy (UE) blames the Victorian Gover=
nment's retail pricing cap policy for a forecast profit reduction. Int=
ernational Thai Agency Seals Power-Purchase Deal By Yuthana Praiwan, =
Bangkok Post, Thailand, Feb. 6 The agreement to purchase electricity from t=
he Nam Thuen hydro power project in Laos was sealed yesterday after a long =
delay. Tenaga targets debt reduction By Soozhana Choi, Feb 5, 2002 =
(The Asian Wall Street Journal - ABIX via COMTEX) -- Shares in four power =
plants will be offered in Malaysia over 2002. Bulgaria aims to become=
chief Balkan electricity supplier, prime minister says By VESELIN ZHELEV=
Associated Press Writer, SOFIA, Bulgaria, Feb 06, 2002 (AP WorldStream via=
COMTEX) -- Bulgaria's prime minister on Wednesday said his country aims to=
become the Balkans' main electricity supplier and attract more than dlrs 1=
5 billion in foreign investment in the process. Tractebel responds to=
accusations of fraud Feb 6, 2002, (Le Figaro /FT Information via COMTEX)=
-- Tractebel, the Belgian energy subsidiary of Suez, the French utilities=
group, has responded to reports in the press of suspected malpractice. =
NEPA Suffers Setback, Generation Drops to 3,200 Mw By Mike Oduniyi Wit=
h Agency Reports, Feb 06, 2002 (This Day/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX=
) -- Electricity generation by the National Electric Power Authority has d=
ropped to about 3,200 mega watts (mw) by last weekend following the breakdo=
wn of the two newly refurbished units at the Egbin Thermal Power Station in=
Lagos. Italy's Merloni seeks heavyweight partner for energy operatio=
ns MILAN, Feb 06, 2002 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) -- Vittorio Merloni, the =
chairman of Merloni Elettrodomestici SpA, said he is seeking a partner "of =
weight" for his energy operations, Merloni Progetto Energia, owned by a fam=
ily holding. Electric bills rise in Colombia as a result of pylon des=
truction Bogota, Feb 06, 2002 (EFE via COMTEX) -- Colombian Mining and E=
nergy Minister Luisa Fernanda Lafaurie on Wednesday announced that electric=
ity rates would increase throughout the country as a consequence of the gue=
rrillas' recent attacks on 68 electric transmission towers. AES prote=
cted from significant losses in Argentina Argentina, Feb 06, 2002 (BNamer=
icas.com via COMTEX) -- US energy company AES is protected from economic w=
oes in Argentina by the non-recourse financing structure adopted for its bu=
siness there, AES chief financial officer Barry Sharp said during a confere=
nce call to discuss 2001 results. BNDES to pay AES US$330mn rationing=
settlement Brazil, Feb 06, 2002 (BNamericas.com via COMTEX) -- Brazil's=
National Development Bank (BNDES) will provide a US$330mn loan for US ener=
gy company AES as part of the settlement to cover losses from electricity r=
ationing in 2001, AES president Dennis Bakke said during a conference call =
to discuss 2001 financial results. Criminal Case Started on Power Cut=
s to Military Facilities Feb 06, 2002 - Itar-Tass News Agency The prosecu=
tor's office of the Kamchatka Region instituted a criminal case against Kam=
chatskenergo power company which cut power supplies to military facilities =
in the peninsula. Small power players merge customer lists Feb 05 -=
The Press - Christchurch Two of the smaller players in the Christchurch po=
wer market have combined their customer bases in a move that should lead to=
lower prices in the long run. [IMAGE] Powered by Energy Central ? =
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E] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] February 07, 2002 What's FERC's most urgent assign=
ment? Power retailers form new trade group 5 years ago in RT Team=
s consider 1.45-1.64? profitable in California Here comes Oregon into =
the 21st Century market Maybe not; Regulators allow exit fee to kill compet=
ition What will America's new power markets be like? FERC hears from =
array of power market stakeholders Alliant wants new Iowa generator =
NStar concedes reliability cutbacks Power firms did well last year=
despite all that 5 stories in 1 minute: Powered By US Publishi=
ng ? 2002 US Publishing. All Rights Reserved. More Info [IMAGE] =
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