Energy Central Direct

Message-ID: <23950326.1075860867038.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 16:05:59 -0800 (PST) From: ecdirect-daily@mail.energycentral.com To: khyatt@enron.com Subject: Energy Central Direct - 2/25/02 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Energy Central X-To: khyatt@enron.com X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Kevin_Hyatt_Mar2002\Hyatt, Kevin\Deleted Items X-Origin: Hyatt-K X-FileName: khyatt (Non-Privileged).pst Energy Central Direct


Monday, February 25, 2002

HOME - CONTENT SELECTION - MEMBER SERVICES - ADVERTISING - PARTNERING - CONTACT US

	IN THIS ISSUE

Daily Edition for khyatt@enron.com
	Electric Power News Restructuring Today Utility Spotlight RER's eMetrix Load Forecast: CAL ISO Electric Power News - Top Stories Electric Power News - Most Requested Gas Industry News - Top Stories Utility Stock Price - Top Gainers

ELECTRIC POWER NEWS

Selected 66 of 66 Articles Today!

THESE ARTICLES BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ITRON TO ACQUIRE LINESOFT CORPORATION; MOVE STRENGTHENS COMPANY'S ROLE IN ENERGY DELIVERY OPTIMIZATION. In a move that expands the company's solution portfolio to include energy transmission and distribution- related products and services, Itron Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire LineSoft Corporation for $42 million in cash and stock. LineSoft is a leading provider of software solutions and engineering consulting services for optimizing utility transmission and distribution systems. The acquisition enables Itron to offer significantly broader value to electric utilities by helping them increase the efficiency and reliability of their transmission and distribution assets. To know more, start here: http://www.itron.com

METRIXND is the energy industry's most POWERFUL, VERSATILE, UNPARALLELED forecasting tool! VERSION 3.0 offers new features like Microsoft's VBA, giving you more flexibility than ever. With the new release of MetrixND you are minutes away from developing accurate forecasting models. There are no black boxes or hidden components. MetrixND is the only tool you need for short & long-term hourly load forecasting, load profiling, retail forecasting, and monthly energy & peak forecasting. See what the buzz is about! View a demo at http://www.rer.com/demos and call RER, the forecasting experts, at 1-800-755-9585 to talk about your forecasting needs today! MetrixND - Accurate Forecasts. Intelligent Decisions.

Top Stories

Enron Executives Often Called Energy Regulators During Crisis, Records Show
By David Ivanovich, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 23 - Executives from Enron Corp. met or telephoned a dozen top energy regulators at least 25 times during the electric power crisis in California, records released Friday show.

California will ask federal agency to modify power deals, declare them overpriced
Feb 24, 2002 - Associated Press - California will petition the federal government to modify dozens of long-term electricity contracts signed during the peak of the power crisis, a spokesman for Gov. Gray Davis said Sunday.

Midwest grid merger proceeds despite snags in South
By Chris Baltimore, WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Two large regional electricity grid operators this week approved a merger that would weave together the patchwork wires of 20 Midwest and Southwest states and one Canadian province.

Pennsylvania Court Rejects Public Utility Panel's Action to Help GPU Energy
By David DeKok, The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 22 - Commonwealth Court Thursday threw out the state Public Utility Commission's financial bailout for electric utility GPU Energy, but upheld the merger of its parent company with FirstEnergy Corp.

Enron Debacle

Enron's Insurance Policies Examined as Potential Source of Extra Money
By John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 24 - As attorneys scour the bankrupt Enron Corp. for money, some are locking onto $435 million of insurance meant to protect the company and top officials during lawsuits.

Lay Says He Didn't Keep Track of Partnerships Because He Planned to Quit
By Patrice Hill, The Washington Times, Feb. 23 - Former Enron Chairman Kenneth L. Lay said he sold Enron stock last year and did not keep track of the questionable off-book partnerships that led to the energy giant's demise because he was planning to leave the company.

Enron Reportedly Plans to Leave Houston Headquarters
By James McLean, Evening Standard, London, Feb. 22 - Enron Corp's name is set to disappear as the remnants of the disgraced energy giant prepare to decamp from its Houston headquarters to more modest offices.

California Congressman Disputes Enron Executive's Testimony
By Patty Reinert, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 22 - Rep. Henry Waxman contended Thursday that Enron executive Cindy Olson advised employees in 1999 to invest all of their retirement savings in company stock, contradicting Olson's congressional testimony that she urged diversification.

Enron Found a Second Home in the Caymans
By Gregg Fields, The Miami Herald, Feb. 22 - On a Caribbean Island that has seen its share of scoundrels, including the pirate Blackbeard and cocaine cowboys, Enron Corp. found a second home.

Florida Governor's Enron Link Called Coincidental
The Miami Herald, Feb. 22 - Three years before being elected Florida's governor, Jeb Bush saw a $91,527 investment in an Enron affiliate turn a tidy $7,118 profit in 10 months.

New York Expert Dissects Maze of Decisions Leading to Enron Fall
By Melissa Davis, The Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 21 - When Enron Corp. published its 2000 annual report, saying it was "laser-focused" on increasing earnings per share, investors should have felt alarmed instead of reassured, a New York expert said Wednesday.

Public Spotlight Turns to Enron's Corporate Directors
By Chris Baker, The Washington Times, Feb. 23 - Corporate directors -- not just management -- are falling under increased scrutiny since the Enron Corp. collapse.

Fed reviews JP Morgan's Enron dealings
NEW YORK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - U.S. banking regulators are looking into how J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. accounted for certain trades made with bankrupt energy trader Enron Corp., according to a memo obtained on Friday.

Enron could pay more bonuses to retain top staff
HOUSTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Fallen energy trading giant Enron Corp. may pay further retention bonuses to key employees considered vital to its plans to emerge from bankruptcy, a company spokesman said on Friday.

Pipelines, power plants keeping Enron afloat through bankruptcy
Feb 23 - Associated Press - Enron Corp.'s pipelines and power plants may not be as lively as its commodity-trading operations once were, but they are the bankrupt company's main source of steady income these days.

U.S. Lawmaker Says It's Time to Shift Enron Probe Into Reforms
By Russell Grantham, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Feb. 23 - U.S. Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin has been spicing up a topic -- accounting -- that's normally about as dry as a cup of flour.

Arthur Andersen's Houston Office Struggles to Repair Damage from Enron Scandal
By Tom Fowler, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 22 - February should be a busy month for accountants, but for many of the 1,700 Houston employees of Arthur Andersen every day crawls by, as they wait for the other shoe to drop.

Enron Investigation Proves More Compelling Than Winter Olympics, Poll Finds
By Julie Mason, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 22 - More Americans in a new poll released Thursday say they are paying closer attention to the Enron story than the Winter Olympics.

Enron Could Be Improperly Hiding Away Money from Its Largest Subsidiary
By Judith Schoolman, Daily News, New York, Feb. 22 - The New York bankruptcy court judge overseeing the Enron case acknowledged the company could be improperly squirreling away money that belonged to its largest subsidiary, Enron North America, which is being liquidated.

New Hartford, Conn., Officials Want Answers on Enron Connection
By David Rivera, Waterbury Republican-American, Conn., Feb. 22 - The Board of Selectmen want to know why the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority entered into a deal with the now bankrupt Enron Corp. and why it could cost taxpayers $100,000 more a year.

SEC Pitt challenges accountants, threatens execs
WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Accounting firms need to put their heads together to improve audits and fight financial fraud in the post-Enron world, while corporate managers may soon be forced to surrender ill-gotten gains, the top U.S. financial markets regulator said on Friday.

Photograph Brought Instant Fame to Houston Enron Worker
By Mike Agnello, The Roanoke Times, Va., Feb. 22 - On Dec. 3, the future looked bleak for 24-year-old Meredith Stewart.

Conn. authority may hike trash fees, blames Enron
HARTFORD, Conn., Feb 21 (Reuters) - Trash fees for Hartford area residents stand to rise 31 percent, a state authority warned on Thursday, unless it finds a way to replace millions of dollars a year in expected revenue that will vanish if the bankruptcy court presiding over Enron Corp.'s crash cancels its contract with the agency.

National Energy Policy

GAO Sues Cheney over Energy Policy Group
By James Kuhnhenn, Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, Feb. 23 - The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, sued Vice President Cheney Friday in an unprecedented effort to obtain the names of energy industry executives who helped the White House draft its energy policy.

Official Urges Need for National Energy Plan at Midland, Texas, Meeting
By Julie Breaux, Odessa American, Texas, Feb. 22 - Volatile fuel prices, tensions stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, energy distribution disruptions and California's staggering electric deregulation problems have underscored the need for a cohesive national energy plan, a high-level energy official says.

Bush to set out constitutional defense to GAO suit
By Adam Entous, WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - In its coming court fight with congressional investigators, the White House will argue that releasing records from its energy task force meetings would undercut the Constitution's separation of powers, weakening the presidency and possibly national security.

ADVERTISEMENT

Access the most comprehensive on-line energy merger and acquisition database available now. Energy Central Professional offers advanced customer service and world-class search and sort features. View this revolutionary resource now. Click here for immediate access http://pro.energycentral.com/professional/snapshots/mergers/default.cfm

Competition & Deregulation

Public Power Tax Reform May Resurface During Senate Energy Debate
Feb 22, 2002 - E&E Publishing - Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) may try on the Senate floor next week to fix one of the thornier electricity restructuring tax problems facing Congress with an amendment meant to open the power grid by adjusting private-use restrictions on public power.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures

AES puts UK's Drax power station up for sale-paper
LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - U.S. power firm AES Corp has put Drax, Britain's largest power station, up for sale, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported.

London-Based Electric Firm Says Takeover Deal with German Firm Is on Course
Daily Mail, London, Feb. 23 - PowerGen remains confident that the 765 pence a share cash takeover by Germany's E.ON will be approved by regulators and completed this spring ? nearly a year after it was launched.

Portland, Ore., Official Ponders Portland General Electric Purchase
By Richard Colby, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore., Feb. 22 - At the Tualatin Valley Water District, nobody faults Commissioner Gordon Martin for thinking small.

Houston company wraps up purchase of Orion
Feb 23 - Charleston Daily Mail - A Houston company has completed its $4.8 billion purchase of Orion Power Holdings Inc.

Powercomm holds bidding auction to sell off 30% stake
Feb 22, 2002 - Associated Press - Powercomm Inc., a telecom unit of Korea Electric Power Corp., conducted an auction to sell off the company's 30% share to bidders on February 21.

California Crisis

California Regulators Clear Way for Bond Sale to Cover Electricity Costs
By Mike Taugher, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Feb. 23 - The California Public Utilities Commission cleared the way for the state to sell a record $11.1 billion in bonds to cover electricity costs by approving an agreement that forfeits the commission's authority over how much money is collected from utility ratepayers.

California PG&E Bankruptcy Case's Tab: $1 Million A Week
By Claire Cooper, The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Feb. 22 - Lawyers and accountants have been billing about $1 million a week in the Pacific Gas and Electric bankruptcy case, eating steadily from the pot of money that will be available to pay off the utility's creditors.

Rates

Washington State Regulators Asked to Approve 5 Percent Increase to Ratepayers
By Bert Caldwell, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Feb. 22 - Washington customers of Avista Utilities will pay 5 percent more for electricity if state regulators approve a complex settlement announced Wednesday.

Revenue Shortfall in Murray, Utah, Could Bring Rise in Electric Power Bills
By John Keahey, The Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 21 - It has been 16 years since residents of this mid-Salt Lake Valley community have seen an increase in rates for electricity.

General

Cutting Power Not Standard Procedure
Feb 24 - Palm Beach Post - Pinellas County rescue workers watched helplessly Dec. 11 as 21- year-old Andrew Miller sat injured in his car - which had a live, 7,200-volt power line draped across it.

Trading/Marketing

Participants in New York Energy Exchange Workshop Trade Ideas
By Russell Ray, Tulsa World, Okla., Feb. 22 - In 2001, the New York Mercantile Exchange proved it can handle crises.

New Technologies/Markets

California-Based Fuel-Cell Maker Postpones Plans for Reading, Pa., Plant
By Tony Lucia, Reading Eagle, Pa., Feb. 21 - The California firm that Albert R. Boscov has indicated may be interested in building a plant in Reading said Wednesday that its plans have been postponed, but not canceled.

Power Projects

Anaconda, Mont.-Area Officials Give Nod to Power Plant Plans
The Montana Standard, Butte, Feb. 22 - During a special session Thursday, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commissioners awarded a bid for land near the substations east of town, and accepted a proposal for the possible construction of a power generating facility there.

Tractebel Begins Construction on Malvern, Ark., Power Plant
By David Mercer, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Feb. 22 - Tractebel Power Development Inc. said Thursday that construction has begun on a 720-megawatt gas-fired power plant near Malvern, the second in Hot Spring County and one of a wave of independent generating projects planned around the country for the wholesale market.

South Carolina Panel to Discuss Plans for Gas-Fired Generating Plant
By Gene Crider, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C., Feb. 21 - The state's Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing in Fort Mill on Calpine Corp.'s plans to place a gas-fired generating plant in the area, but their main evidentiary hearing will be held in Columbia.

Neighbors Complain of Plans for Electrical Power Plant in St. Paul, Minn.
By David Hanners, Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Minn., Feb. 23 - A Minneapolis company wants to build a gas-fired electrical power plant near downtown St. Paul, but neighbors complain the generating plant would add to an area that already has too much heavy industry.

Legislature: Bill To Kill Power Plant Votes Argued
Feb 21 - Columbian - Rivals battling over legislation that would remove a public-vote requirement for new publicly-funded power plants tossed around some pretty big names Tuesday.

Renewables

Study: Renewable-Energy Program Could Stimulate Colorado Economy
By Steve Raabe, The Denver Post, Feb. 22 - An aggressive renewable energy program could stimulate Colorado's economy and save consumers billions of dollars, a new study shows.

Enron may cause change in wind farm's direction
Feb 21 - Omaha World - Herald - The financial collapse of energy giant Enron Corp. is putting a snag in the development of Nebraska's first wind farm.

Power options explored
Feb 22 - Dominion - FARMERS and rural groups are seeking information about alternative power sources as concerns mount over uncertainty about electricity price rises and the threat of power companies stopping supply to some uneconomic supply areas.

Utah Urged to Try Renewable Energy
Feb 23 - The Salt Lake Tribune - Advocates of renewable energy sources are calling on the Utah Legislature to step up to the plate during debate over national energy policy and approve measures that would ease the state toward consuming more environmentally friendly power.

Maine has potential for renewable energy, report says
Feb 22 - Bangor Daily News Bangor, ME - Maine could generate 95 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Crops Seen as a Cleaner Fuel Source
Feb 23, 2002 - The Fresno Bee - The power crunch in California could have unintended benefits for Valley farmers under a plan that calls for more use of alternative forms of energy.

'Green Power' Plan Pushed
Feb 23, 2002 - www.lvrj.com - With the U.S. Senate poised to consider a comprehensive energy bill next week, local environmental leaders are pushing a proposal to require the nation to get one-fifth of its electric power from so-called "green" or renewable sources.

Yarmouth Company Proposes Wind Farm
Feb 23, 2002 - Kennebec Journal - A Maine company that has proposed building seven wind turbines in Vermont also hopes to build even more of them atop two mountains in Franklin County.

Maps May Put Wind Back in Projects' Sails
Feb 24, 2002 - Tri-City Herald - The release of a series of wind-charting maps is forecast to help jump-start the flagging interest in wind power in the Northwest.

Energy Efficiency/Conservation

Oklahoma City-Based Firm to Monitor Energy Use at Grocery Stores
By Adam Wilmoth, The Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 22 - Oklahoma City-based Automated Energy Inc. announced Thursday that it has signed a multiyear agreement to monitor energy use at nationwide grocery stores.

Fuel

Rochester, Minn., Officials Mull Ramifications of Rail Deal
Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn., Feb. 22 - Despite news Thursday that the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad plans to acquire I & M Rail Link, a deal that could reduce potential coal-train traffic through Rochester, Mayo Clinic and city officials remain concerned.

Environmental

Pittsburgh Region Grapples with Air Pollution Problem
By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Feb. 23 - The Pittsburgh region has an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny air pollution problem. That's not nearly as good as it sounds, even for a city where 60 years ago streetlights were lit through the day and Downtown businessmen changed soot-soiled shirts after lunch.

Nuclear

Casino Bosses Address Nuclear Dump Question in Nevada
By Dave Berns, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Feb. 21 - The question briefly hung in the air at a Wednesday afternoon political event that featured three Republican senators from Washington, D.C.

Kennewick, Wash.-Area Energy Firm to Focus on Safety
By John Stang, Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash., Feb. 22 - Energy Northwest recently terminated the leases of its paying tenants at the Reactor No. 1 site so it can boost safety fix-it measures for the Columbia Generating Station's reactor.

Commission To Issue Formal Orders Hiking Nuclear Power Plant Security
Feb 23 - Palm Beach Post - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is preparing to issue formal orders requiring tighter security at the nation's nuclear plants.

Public can view nuclear plant's renewal application
Feb 23 - Omaha World - Herald - The Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant's application to renew its license is now available to the public.

?1bn Power Plant for Teesside?
Feb 23, 2002 - Newsquest (The North East) Ltd - BRITISH Energy hasn't ruled out building another nuclear power plant on Teesside, once an existing operation reaches the end of its life.

Kentucky Senator Wants Waste Conversion Plants in Paducah Area
By Joe Walker, The Paducah Sun, Ky., Feb. 21 - U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning said he will keep pushing for facilities here and in Ohio to convert uranium hexafluoride waste because the plan is efficient and could otherwise mean the loss of key technology to help preserve the Paducah uranium enrichment plant.

Financial

British Utility Firm Centrica Raises Funds for Move into U.S. Market
Daily Mail, London, Feb. 22 - Centrica, the home services group which already supplies 14 million British households with gas, electricity, telecom and roadside services, is raising UKpound 425 million to finance a string of acquisitions in North America in the wake of the Enron collapse.

Peoria, Ill.-Area Officials Worry AES Corp. Will Be the Next Enron
By Paul Gordon, Journal Star, Peoria, Ill., Feb. 22 - Area civic and legislative leaders are concerned the next Enron will be in their back yard.

Gates Ups the Stake in Spokane, Wash.-Based Avista
By Bert Caldwell, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Feb. 20 - Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the largest holder of Avista Corp. stock, increased his stake in the Spokane energy and technology company last year.

Peoples Energy Shareholders Decide to Keep Andersen in Charge of Company Books
By Melita Marie Garza, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 23 - Shareholders of Chicago-based Peoples Energy voted Friday to retain Andersen as the company's accountant, though Peoples' officials said they would be closely watching for signs that fall-out from the collapse of Enron Corp. could imperil the accounting firm's solvency.

Powered by Energy Central
© 2002 CyberTech, Inc. All rights reserved. More News

Top

UTILITY SPOTLIGHT

February 19, 2002

CPUC Proposes An Alternative Plan To Help Reorganize Bankrupt PG&E

Enron Can Be Saved, Minus Name, New Pipeline, Power Firm?Cooper

DC Current -- Likely Enron Impacts: Larger SEC, More Disclosures, Tougher Audits

Communications & PR -- KPMG Consulting Ad Distances from Taint of Andersen?s Services at Enron

Communications & PR -- Dynegy Energy Services

Communications & PR -- Los Angeles, CA

Power Marketing -- MA Aiming at More Renewables As Power Issues Hurting CA Economy

Natural Gas -- Despite Sudden Withdrawal Upsurge, Guernsey Still Sees Prices Falling

Natural Gas -- Exelon Agrees to Sell Natural Gas in Detroit

Natural Gas -- Northern Border to File 10-K With KPMG Audit

Natural Gas -- Moody?s To Review SEMCO, Possible Downgrade

Nuclear -- Uprates, Short Outages Help Exelon To 2001 Record Average Capacity

Around the Circuit -- Bush Unveils New Plan for Controls On Air Emissions from Power Plants

Around the Circuit -- GE Enters Water-Treatment Sector in $1.8B Deal

Who's News

MA Regulators, 2 Major Utilities Embroiled in A Rate Controversy

Contracts

Fitch Explains 2 Ratings: AA on Northwest Energy Bonds, AAA TVA

Financial Focus: Special Programs Provide 15% of ?NJR? Net?Downe

Powered By Utility Spotlight
© 2002 Utility Spotlight. All Rights Reserved. More Info

Top

RER'S EMETRIX LOAD FORECAST: CAL ISO

This content block is available when you subscribe to Energy Central Professional. Become a professional member of Energy Central today!

Top

ABOUT ENERGY CENTRAL DIRECT

ABOUT ENERGY CENTRAL DIRECT
This e-mail summary service is provided FREE to qualified professionals in the power industry. This e-mail summary may be redistributed provided it is kept in its entirety.
* Click here to change your preferences.
* Visit Member Services to START, STOP, or CHANGE FORMAT for all of your e-mail subscriptions.
* To BEGIN receiving this service directly signup at www.enerycentral.com/sections/ecdirect/.
* 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 releases and other news to pr@energycentral.com.
SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING
For sponsorship or advertising info call sales at 303-782-5510.
TO DELIVER YOUR ARTICLES, PAPERS, PROCEEDINGS OR MONOGRAPHS THROUGH ENERGY CENTRAL:
Energy Central provides a variety of mechanisms for delivery of information to power professionals including this e-mail service, Energy Central Web Site (http://www.energycentral.com), Energy Central Conference Watch™ and others. We can deliver your information on a promotional, subscription or a pay-per-view basis. For more information, contact Mark Johnson at 303-782-5510 (mark.johnson@energycentral.com)