Table of ContentsDepartmentsCustomer SystemsSecurity slings and arrowsAs the 20th century draws to a close, some utilities are beginning to feel like Shakespeare`s Hamlet-beset by the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
Where is transmission policy headed?The recent FERC notice of rulemaking (NOPR) on regional transmission organizations (RTOs) continues the elusive public policy debate on structuring new transmission business of the future. Unfortunately, in certain sectors this focus may be somewhat misdirected by FERC while Congress avoids discussion of critical issues related to transmission siting and pricing. This avoidance by Congress and FERC converts these central issues to a secondary priority. Moreover, the timeframes associated with th
CP&L goes CheckFreeCarolina Power & Light (CP&L) contracted CheckFree (www.checkfree.com) of Atlanta to provide electronic billing and payment services for the utility`s 1.2 million electricity and energy services customers in the Carolinas. Customers will be able to receive and pay their electric bills by accessing CP&L`s website (www.cplc.com). Also, the website`s customer support section will provide detailed information about customers` accounts, electricity usage and weather statistics in numeric and graphic
Central Hudson & West Texas adopt TransPointCentral Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. and CSW`s West Texas Utilities Co. expect to go live with the TransPoint online bill presentment and payment system by the end of the year. Customers of MCI WorldCom, Mobil Oil and GTE went live with the TransPoint service (www.transpoint.com) in early October, and Time Warner Communications Mid-South Division and Denver Water are also scheduled to follow by year-end.
Boston Gas contracts ExcelergyEastern Enterprises units Boston Gas, Essex Gas and Colonial Gas are using Excelergy`s billing software as part of a scalable, enterprise-wide billing and customer information management system the companies are installing. The move comes amid the deregulation of Massachusetts` market to allow customer choice of energy providers. Implementation of the first two phases is scheduled for completion next year.
City of Redding picks Energy BOSSEnergy Interactive (EI) recently installed its Energy BOSS advanced billing system (www.energyinteractive.com/boss) for the City of Redding, Calif. The system supports complex rate structures, processes interval load data into billing determinants, offers aggregate billing of accounts and commodities, and facilitates billing for ancillary products and services. The system was integrated with Redding`s new E-CIS system from Orcom (www.orcom.com), an EI strategic partner.
Kissimmee contracts DerivionKissimmee Utility Authority in Kissimmee, Fla., recently contracted Derivion (www.derivion.com) to provide its inetBiller Internet billing service. The inetBiller product is designed for mid-tier billers, companies who need an electronic billing solution that can be implemented quickly and managed easily. Derivion acts as a turnkey service bureau, designing the online bill, establishing interfaces to existing billing systems, presenting bills, promoting the service and launching the customer enr
SPS Payment changes nameSPS Payment Systems Inc. changed its name to Associates Commerce Solutions in late September. The name change follows SPS` acquisition by Associates First Capital Corp. (www.theassociates.com) in October 1998. Based in Riverwoods, Ill., SPS provides call center teleservices, retail private label credit card services and commercial accounts processing services with its approximately 4,200 employees.
SFG teams with CompuwareSFG Technologies (www.sfg.com) signed an agreement with Compuware Corp. that provides implementation support for SFG`s utility management system clients, and adds Compuware`s Uniface web application server technology to SFG`s system. The Uniface server brings online features such as bill payment and service orders to SFG`s clients.
Columbia Energy picks SPLColumbia Energy subsidiaries, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland, selected San Francisco-based SPL WorldGroup (www.splwg.com) to integrate and install a new customer relationship management (CRM) system for the companies.
Nicor outsources to ConvergysNicor Energy LLC, a Lisle, Ill.-based energy service company jointly owned by Dynegy and Nicor, contracted Convergys Corp. of Cincinnati (www.convergys.com) to provide outsourced billing and customer care services for 10 years. The contract covers only natural gas customers in greater Chicago and northern Indiana. The Convergys solution automates and supports all aspects of customer service, from customer acquisition through billing.
PeopleSoft, SPL release CISPeopleSoft Inc. (www.peoplesoft.com) recently released PeopleSoft CIS for Public Enterprises. The customer information system module was co-developed with SPL WorldGroup Inc. (www.splwg.com), and is based on SPL`s CIS Plus product. The CIS integrates with PeopleSoft enterprise applications and allows utilities to manage customer life-cycle processes, from initiating service to credit and collections. It also provides an e-business backbone for Internet functionality and options for web-enabled i
Data mining unearths CRM resourcesAcable TV sales representative, a telecommunications sales representative and a utility sales representative all arrive at a customer`s door. The customer says, "I`ve really only got time to meet with one of you. What you can do for me?"
Energy e-market goes nationwideSouthern California Gas (SoCalGas) is handing the reins to its Energy Marketplace e-commerce portal over to Excelergy, which intends to take it nationwide.
Trans Union offers credit data sharing systemConsumer credit information company Trans Union LLC (www. transunion.com) recently released Envison, a system designed to allow various utility companies to share each other`s commercial and consumer-specific data to more effectively screen customers and minimize bad debt losses.
SCTs new CIS supports multiple service providersSCT`s Energy, Utilities and Communications unit (www.sctcorp.com) in Malvern, Pa., today released version 2.2.2 of its Banner customer information system (CIS), a key component of the Banner customer management suite.
Energy MarketingKN puts en•able on block, Simple Choice on iceThe company that called itself the "deregulation parts department" was searching for a home in early October, as its parent companies pursued a different business plan.
ComEd loses 430 business customers in first day of choiceOn the first day of Commonwealth Edison`s customer choice program, 430 of the utility`s business customers, representing 700 million kWh in annual sales, opted for a new supplier.
APX chosen for Nevada exchangeAutomated Power Exchange Inc. (APX), with technical assistance from Bechtel, recently won a three-year, $15 million contract with the Mountain West Independent Scheduling Administrator (ISA). Also, the company announced an equity infusion totaling $15.5 million from a variety of investors.
Info. TechnologyPerformance management helps merging utilities hit value targetsAs the electric utility industry moves into a more competitive market, the pressures applied by shareholders, regulators, and customers are escalating. Some early predictions by firms such as McKinsey & Co. argue that, in the United States, $45 billion in pretax earnings would come into existence if transmission and distribution (T&D) were brought up to best practice levels. A recent study by JD Power & Associates suggests similar opportunity to improve customer satisfaction levels.
Telecoms Y2K ready ... AlmostThe Network Reliability and Interoperability Council (NRIC) describes the efforts of the U.S. telecommunications industry as "generally successful" in a recent report. About 99 percent of the public switched-telephone network (PTSN) switches of large local exchange carriers were Y2K compliant as of June 1999. Major inter-exchange carriers` switches were "virtually 100 percent Y2K ready," according to the NRIC.
UTC studies power line telecomThe United Telecom Council (UTC), formerly the Utilities Telecommunications Council, released a report presenting the results of a study on the viability of power line telecommunications (PLT) in the United States and Canada. It concludes that great opportunities exist for utilities if and when the technology for using existing T&D wires to deliver voice, data and video services is perfected. Key hurdles involve differences between power distribution systems and technological difficulties such a
Touch America gains Denver hubAffiliates of Public Service Company of Colorado and Montana Power formed a joint venture recently that combines their fiber- optic networks. The 230-mile Denver network owned by New Century Energies subsidiary NCE Communications` will become a major regional hub for Touch America, Montana Power`s telecom subsidiary (www.in-tch.com). The 15,000-mile Touch America network is expected to expand to an 18,000-mile, nationwide system by 2000. The joint investment is valued at about $21 million, inclu
Future Horizons becomes iMedeonAdopting a new corporate identity intended to reflect the immediacy of its web-based product line, Future Horizons Inc.-supplier of mobile workforce systems-changed its name to iMedeon Inc. (www.imedeon.com). The company also opened a new, 14,000 square-foot headquarters space in Atlanta. The company`s workforce automation systems are designed to integrate remote field workers with the rest of the enterprise via wireless, satellite, dial-up or LAN connections.
Tampa Electric installs M3i workforce managementM3i Systems Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, signed a contract to provide Tampa Electric Co. with its PramaLine outage and PragmaCAD (computer-aided dispatch) workforce management systems. The Windows NT-based software modules provide an outage management solution that will allow Tampa Electric to track mobile service vehicles, dispatch them automatically and optimize workload levels and assignments by priority. Contact: www.M3iSystems.com
NERC awards Y2K backup network contractsSatCom Systems Inc. of Burbank, Calif., was awarded contracts by the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) and member organizations to provide mobile satellite equipment and services for a nationwide Y2K backup communications network. The contracts call for SatCom Systems to establish a special satellite hotline connecting the 21 NERC security coordinators throughout the United States, Canada and parts of Mexico in a NetRadio talk group. NetRadio uses dedicated satellite channels fo
New ProductsBIRD REPELLERBirdXPeller PRO is a sonic repeller that is programmable for actual species-specific distress cries so pest birds perceive danger to their own species. They become agitated and disoriented and flee. Each of the bird sounds can be turned on or off so the unit can be customized to the type of infestation. Volume, time-off periods and random/sequential play can be varied, making it virtually impossible for birds to get used to any one constant pattern.
BREAKER MONITOROPTImizer+ is an in-service, on-line monitor designed to predict circuit breaker maintenance needs and avoid costly brea-ker failures. Using microprocessor-based technology, it monitors mechanism time, arc duration time, and contact interrupting duty. OPTImizer+ features visual, digital or analog outputs available at the breaker or inside the control house; an RS-232 port for remote HMI via standard SCADA, relay, wireless, or other communication system; easy, non-invasive installation; simple me
EMC ENCLOSURESCONCEPT EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) enclosures prevent electromagnetic interference from penetrating the enclosure and disrupting vulnerable instrumentation, microprocessors, communication signals or wiring. Available in either steel with zinc and yellow chromate plating or stainless steel, the enclosures range from 12" x 12" x 6" to 36" x 24" x 12".
AIR COMPRESSORSFull color, eight-page air compressor guide covers types of air compressors, evaluating compressed air systems, selecting an air compressor, maintenance and troubleshooting. Discusses air requirements and the cost of compressed air as well as six levels of compressed air quality. Includes a compressed air glossary, rules of thumb and conversion formulas.
POWER MONITORINGPower System Supervisor (PSS) 2.0 displays and stores all data collected from EIG Futura+ power quality monitors using existing Ethernet infrastructure. PSS monitors every electrical power parameter throughout a facility, trends and graphs parameters, records pre- and post-event power quality waveforms, and controls plant equipment and breakers.
POLE ERECTORPole erector is designed and engineered to pick up, carry and plant telephone, electrical and steel construction poles including concrete, wood and steel lamp standards. ROCO custom pole erectors can handle steel poles 60 ft. in length and up to 6,000 lbs. in weight.
People and CompaniesFPL Groups president, Roger Young, resigned suddenly, eight months after joining the company.FPL Group`s president, Roger Young, resigned suddenly, eight months after joining the company. Young, 55, came to FPL in February after having served 10 years as chief executive of Scottish Hydro-Electric plc. He cited differences in management style.
Citizens Utilities Co.s board of directors elected Rudy J. Graf president and COO,Citizens Utilities Co.`s board of directors elected Rudy J. Graf president and COO, succeeding retiring president and COO, Daryl A. Ferguson. Most recently, Graf was president and COO of Centennial Cellular Corp., a provider of wireless telephone services throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
GPU Inc. promoted two executives in a realignment of executive management of its international businesses.GPU Inc. promoted two executives in a realignment of executive management of its international businesses. Michael Hughes, CEO of GPU`s subsidiary, Midlands Electricity plc, became executive vice president-international operations of GPU Service Inc., and Ronald P. Lantzy became president of GPU International (GPUI). Hughes will have responsibilities for all of GPU`s international utility operations (currently in the United Kingdom, Australia and Argentina) and the company`s independent power pr
Southern Co.s Chairman and CEO A.W. "Bill" Dahlberg named Gale Klappa senior president and chief strategic officer.Southern Co.`s Chairman and CEO A.W. "Bill" Dahlberg named Gale Klappa senior president and chief strategic officer. Klappa served as president and CEO of Southern Co.`s South Western Electricity subsidiary in England and more recently was president of Southern Energy`s North America Group.
PJM Interconnection LLC, the Independent System Operator (ISO) for the mid-Atlantic region, appointed Van Billet vice president of finance and CFO.PJM Interconnection LLC, the Independent System Operator (ISO) for the mid-Atlantic region, appointed Van Billet vice president of finance and CFO. Prior to joining PJM, he was vice president of finance for Lyondell Chemical Co. Prior to the acquisition of ARCO Chemical Co. by Lyondell in 1998, he was vice president and controller at ARCO Chemical.
Paul A. Elbert, formerly president and CEO-natural gas for Consumers Power Co., joined Unicom as executive vice president of Unicom and president-Unicom Enterprises,Paul A. Elbert, formerly president and CEO-natural gas for Consumers Power Co., joined Unicom as executive vice president of Unicom and president-Unicom Enterprises, the company`s unregulated subsidiary. Robert J. Manning, executive vice president and Unicom`s former president-competitive operations, will continue to direct fossil operations and manage the impending divestiture of this business. Both Elbert and Manning will report directly to Unicom chairman and CEO John W. Rowe.
PG&E named Peter A. Darbee senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. He replaces Michael E. Rescoe,PG&E named Peter A. Darbee senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. He replaces Michael E. Rescoe, who has left PG&E to pursue other opportunities. Darbee was vice president and CFO of Advanced Fibre Communications Inc., Petaluma, Calif., a telecommunications industry manufacturer of digital loop carrier systems.
The National Hydropower Association hired Mark R. Stover, formerly with the Electric Power Supply Association,The National Hydropower Association hired Mark R. Stover, formerly with the Electric Power Supply Association, as its new director of government affairs. He previously spent three years with EPSA and its predecessor group, the Electric Generation Association, focusing primarily on electric industry restructuring. He will be taking over the duties of James McKinney who left NHA to attend graduate school this fall.
Baker & McKenzies Global Project Finance Practice Group added eight practitioners to its U.S. Energy Projects Group.Baker & McKenzie`s Global Project Finance Practice Group added eight practitioners to its U.S. Energy Projects Group. The additions are Michael J. Zimmer, Jonathan W. Gottlieb, Kenneth Hayduk and John A. Cohen, who will be based in the Washington, D.C. office, and David Tillinghast, Klas Holm and Howard Margulis, who will be based in the New York office.
Southern Company Energy Marketing named Gary J. Morsches president. Morsches, currently senior vice president and COO,Southern Company Energy Marketing named Gary J. Morsches president. Morsches, currently senior vice president and COO, will have responsibility for all of Southern Company Energy Marketing`s commercial and administrative functions.
PG&E Energy Trading-Gas Corp., subsidiary of PG&E Corp, named Al Pollard to the post of Midwest basis trader with responsibility for managing the Midwest desks basis risk,PG&E Energy Trading-Gas Corp., subsidiary of PG&E Corp, named Al Pollard to the post of Midwest basis trader with responsibility for managing the Midwest desk`s basis risk, reporting to Michael L. Axton, director of gas trading, Midwest. Pollard joins PG&E Trading from Enron where he held trading positions in natural gas and power since 1995.
Edison Internationals board of directors elected Diane O. Wittenberg a vice president of the corporation.Edison International`s board of directors elected Diane O. Wittenberg a vice president of the corporation. Wittenberg will be in charge of corporate communications for Edison International and Southern California Edison. She will also continue her role in developing Edison International`s environmental policies. She joined Edison in 1986 as manager of corporate communications. Most recently, she was president of Edison International`s electric vehicle subsidiary, Edison EV. Wittenberg replaces T
Deregulation reinventing generation planning and financeReports of utility plant sales and new merchant plants being developed are surfacing weekly. On the utility plant side, more than 60,000 MW of historically regulated generating capacity has recently been sold or is subject to purchase agreements. On the new development front, over 30,000 MW has been proposed for the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) alone, a market with only 23,000 MW of peak load. With so many generating assets trading hands and the announcement of unprecedented levels of new dev
TechnologyCharting the transmission course: high-tech mapping works for KCPLTime: 0700. Personnel report to Command Center for the daily flight briefing. A map on one wall shows highlighted routes; another wall displays a daily duties checklist. At 0730 the crew is transported to the airport, and by 0800 they are airborne and en route to begin the day`s first two-hour sortie.
Memphis utility takes its business undergroundThere`s a familiar quote from Shakespeare`s Hamlet, "To be or not to be: that is the question." However, when it comes to electric utilities, the saying becomes, "Overhead or underground: that is the question." Without a doubt, modern society has grown to depend on the convenience of electricity, and electric service is now seen as a necessity, not merely a "want." However, the question of how to provide this service remains.
Technology At WorkSTATCOM to improve transmission reliability in ERCOTCentral and South West Corp. and the Brownsville Public Utilities Board of the City of Brownsville, Texas, plan to install a 150 MVA solid-state electronic static compensator (STATCOM) system south of Brownsville. The equipment is designed to improve transmission system flexibility and increase the capability of the transmission grid in South Texas to handle possible loss of a major transmission line. The project timeline is designed to meet objectives of the Electric Reliability Council of Texa
ABB Alstom Power supplies WESPDakota Gasification Co., a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, awarded the Environmental Systems division of ABB Alstom Power a contract valued at approximately $24 million to supply a wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) system that will reduce particulate emissions at its coal gasification facility-the Great Plains Synfuels Plant-near Beulah, N.D. ABB Alstom Power Environmental Systems (ABB ES) groups in Sweden and the United States will work together to design, supply, install an
DOE funds SOFC researchThe U.S. Department of Energy selected four companies to receive nearly $13 million for research on solid oxide fuel cell technologies (SOFC). AlliedSignal, McDermott Technology, NexTech Materials, and Technology Management Inc. will conduct the research, which will cover both planar and tubular SOFC designs.
Atomic time available via new web siteThe official time in any U.S. time zone can be obtained from a new web site, www.time.gov, maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This service is provided jointly by NIST and the U.S. Naval Observatory, two agencies that supply time services for the United States. Both contribute time from their respective atomic clocks to an international pool that is used to define the official world time, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Most users will get a time reading accurate
GE intercooling technology installed in Colo. PeakerS&S Energy Products, a GE Power Systems company, will supply Front Range Energy Associates, Ft. Lupton, Colo., with four GE LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine-generator sets. The gas turbines will be equipped with GE`s SPRINT spray intercooling technology. SPRINT cooling lowers the high-pressure compressor inlet temperature, which in turn lowers the compressor discharge temperature. The compressor pressure ratio can be increased and additional air can be directed through the compressor to increas
EIA adopts changed weather assumptionsThe Energy Information Administration is adopting weather premises that reflect a three-decade long warming trend identified by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Adopting the warming trend in place of long-term averages for the period October 1999 to September 2000 lowers total annual projected energy consumption by about 0.3 percent. On a seasonal basis, its greatest demand impact will be during the winter quarter, when total energy consumption is adjusted downward by a
Methane-fueled microturbine debutsPortland-based Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative (PNGC) will take an industry lead in delivering green power to its customers by becoming the first energy services company to use a microturbine to generate electricity using fuel recovered from a landfill. PNGC received a special grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to test a microturbine that runs on methane gas. Onsite Power Systems, Camarillo, Calif., will supply the microturbine.
Daylighting exposes buried energized linesA fast, safe and proven method of locating and crossing underground utilities, widely used throughout Canada, has recently been introduced to the United States.
FeaturesIndustry ReportKW lands in San FranKW International, a London-based risk management software company, recently opened its first U.S. office, in San Francisco. The company`s primary product, kW2000, uses transaction and contract analysis methodologies to provide users with energy forwards trading, portfolio management and risk management capabilities. Major clients include Cinergy and Southern Company`s European trading arm, plus international energy companies including Electricite de France, Electrabel of Belgium, Norsk Hydro, Po
Select Energy approved for DelawareNortheast Utilities affiliate Select Energy Inc. was approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission to provide retail electric supply in the state. In addition to electricity, Select Energy is providing natural gas, energy services and equipment for reducing customers` energy costs. The company is targeting the 11-state region from Maine to Maryland. As required by the Delaware PSC, customers with electricity loads exceeding 1 MW became eligible to choose their power supplier October 1. Choi
CMS Energy buys VironCMS Marketing, Services & Trading, the energy marketing unit of Dearborn, Mich.-based CMS Energy Corp., acquired Viron Corp. of Kansas City, Mo. The $80 million company provides energy services through offices in 22 U.S. cities. CMS acquired 100 percent of Viron, including 148 employees, from York International.
Growing through diversification: Montana Power finds gold mine in fiber-optic networkWhen a little old lady from Butte received a call from her stock broker last April, she nearly fainted with shock. "Mrs. Smith," the broker said, "Congratulations. You`re a millionaire."
RECOGNIZING HIDDEN VALUEA key issue for holding companies seeking growth through diversification is getting stock analysts to pay an appropriate amount of attention to their unregulated investments.
Utility of The MonthReliability redoubleThanks for the permission to reproduce the Commentary from the August 1999 EL&P ("It`s reliability, stupid!", page 3). I thought you might be interested in the memo I said would accompany the article in our local distribution (see Figure).
I cant get no ...In your excellent article on outages in the September issue ("Outages prompt lawsuits, dismissals at major utilities," page 1), you refer to a U of Michigan Business School report on customer satisfaction. How can I get this study. Thanks.
Living with Y2KBravo for your commentary in the September edition of Electric Light & Power ("Y2K: Doomsayer`s delight," page 3.) I would like your permission to republish your article on CSW`s inside-the-company employee intranet. I will credit you and EL&P.
Choice debateAfter reading the September issue, I was struck by the impression that "Customer choice" would resolve distribution reliability issues ("Outages prompt lawsuits ...", page 1, and "When choice honeymoon ends, service quality sparks long-term customer relationship," page 31). Customer choice does not change the physical facilities. In other words, the wires and substations delivering energy to end-use customers will not change as a result of customer choice.
Industry employment trends: whats hot and whats notIn today`s dynamic labor market it is important for people to understand changing demands for specific occupations-essentially what jobs are hot, as well as those that are not. Competition is intensifying and technology is revolutionizing every aspect of the electric utility business
Industry NewsMillennium monsters: Hacker threats intensify as Y2K nearsNot long ago, if a terrorist wanted to cause a blackout in a major city, it would have taken a bit of doing, even in the most plausible movie scenario. The plot is familiar: men in ski masks send an explosives-packed truck barreling into a power plant or substation.
House bill brings reliability mandate"We may not be able much longer to keep the interstate electric grids operating reliably" without mandatory reliability rules, said David R. Nevius, a vice president with the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC).
MODERN MIGRAINE THERAPYMr. Mega Bolt created lightning bolts during the Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert (100 miles north of Reno, Nev.) in September. Described by Forbes as "cyberculture`s de rigueur power-networking retreat of the year," the festival hosted 23,000 techies-engineers, software developers, executives, digital artists, lawyers and professors. AP/Wide World Photos.
Utility satellite communications blast off for Y2K and beyondAccording to the North American Electric Reliability Council`s (NERC) preliminary report, the nationwide Y2K dress rehearsal for North American power utilities on Sept. 9 was a success.
Seeking reliability: consumer interest grows in on-site powerAmid summer power shortages, continued utility restructuring and consolidation, affluent American households are receptive to the idea of generating their own electricity, according to a new nationwide survey. While high-income single family homeowners register satisfaction with their utility service, growing numbers express interest in some kind of backup power source, the survey points out. These customers want-and can afford-increased protection against losses, discomfort and inconvenience. S
Aquila Energy breaks ground on Mo. plant:Aquila Energy, subsidiary of UtiliCorp United broke ground on a 580 MW, gas-fired power plant, Aries Power Plant, in Pleasant Hill, Mo. Simple-cycle operation is expected to start in June 2001, and combined-cycle operation is scheduled to begin in 2002.
PG&E Generating finances Conn. plant:PG&E Generating completed the $490 million financing for its 792 MW Lake Road Generating Plant in Killingly, Conn. The gas-fired, combined-cycle facility is expected to begin service in 2001. PG&E is also building the 370 MW Millennium plant in Charleton, Mass.
TVA awards contracts to ABB:The Tennessee Valley Authority awarded two contracts to ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Power Inc. totaling over $85 million. One contract is for primary side steam generator services at the utility`s Sequoyah and Watts Bar Nuclear Generating Plants, located in Soddy-Daisy and Spring City, Tenn. The second contract is for the supply of four replacement steam generators for the utility`s Sequoyah Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant.
Duke/Fluor Daniel selected for expansion:Duke/Fluor Daniel was selected to design and build the $180 million expansion of Urquhart Generation Station for South Carolina Electric and Gas. The facility will house two 150 MW General Electric gas turbines for peaking power. The expansion is expected to be complete by summer 2002.
Unicom & PECO to merge:Unicom Corp. and PECO Energy Co. have entered into a merger agreement. The merger will create a new holding company with a total value of about $31.8 billion ($15.2 billion in equity market value; $16.6 billion in debt and preferred stock). The combined company will be the nation`s fourth largest power generator, with a generation portfolio of more than 22,500 MW.
GRI & IGT consider merger:GRI and the Institute of Gas Technology are evaluating the feasibility of integrating the performing laboratory capabilities of IGT with the R&D management and commercialization capabilities of GRI.
ConEd & Northeast Utilities to merge:Consolidated Edison Inc. plans to buy competitor Northeast Utilities for about $3.5 billion in cash and stock, creating one of the largest electric companies in the nation. Company officials said the merger could save $1.5 billion in operating expenses over 10 years.
Dynegy shareholders approve merger with Illinova:Dynegy Inc. received shareholder approval of its merger with Illinova Corp. The merger is on schedule for completion during the first quarter of 2000. Dynegy expects to receive approval of the merger by FERC and the Illinois Commerce Commission by the end of the year. Dynegy also expects to complete the sale or restructuring of its interests in certain qualifying facilities by the end of the year.
Ill. certifies NewEnergy:The Illinois Commerce Commission certified NewEnergy Midwest as an alternative retail electric supplier, which allowed it to serve customers as of October1 when the state`s electric market was slated to open to competition.
Conn. utility pleads guilty:Northeast Utilities agreed to pay $10 million in fines, the largest penalty in the history of the commercial nuclear power industry, after two of its divisions pleaded guilty to charges they lied about the training of some nuclear power plant employees. Authorities also claimed the divisions made misleading statements about environmental violations. The violations occurred between 1994 and 1996 at the Millstone nuclear power plant and at the Devon Generating Station, which uses conventional fuel
Enron and Owens Corning sign outsource agreement:Enron Energy Services, subsidiary of Enron, and Owens Corning signed a 10-year outsource agreement worth more than $1 billion for total energy management services at 20 of Owens Corning`s major manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States.
CMS acquires Viron:CMS Energy Corp.`s energy marketing unit, CMS Marketing, Services and Trading acquired Viron Corp., a Kansas City, Mo.-based energy services company, from York International. Viron will operate under the name CMS Viron Energy Services, as a subsidiary of CMS Marketing, Services and Trading Co.
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This IssueNo Image Available Volume 77
Issue 11
November 1999
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