Sweden's Sydkraft AB said it is purchasing Birka Energi AB's minority holdings in Korsselbranna, Dabbsjo, Bergvattnet's, Betsele, Hallforsen's, Storfinnsforsen's, and Olden's hydroelectric power plants. The transaction involves 365 Gw-hr of power production and is valued at 867 million kroner. The disposal cuts Birka Energi's normal annual capacity by 3%. Total production of Birka's 200-plus hydroelectric power plants was 12.4 Tw-hr during 2000.
UtiliCorp United Inc. said it will pay $1.3 million in fines to settle claims arising from violation of environmental reporting requirements by several employees of a former division, Omaha-based PeopleService, in managing the analysis of wastewater treatment operations for several communities in eastern Nebraska. The charges against the employees included making false reports and statements regarding their analyses of wastewater under the Clean Water Act. In the majority of cases, the samples submitted to laboratories had been taken without using the appropriate sampling techniques. In some cases, the wastewater either had not been analyzed or the test results had been falsified.
Xcel Energy Inc. said it will offer electricity and energy-related products and services to nonresidential Texas customers starting June 1. The Public Utility Commission of Texas Feb. 23 certified Xcel Energy as a retail electric provider to sell electric power in Texas.
Capstone Turbine Corp. said it signed a formal distribution agreement with Totalsupport Ltd., Nigeria. Totalsupport has already secured purchase agreements in Nigeria from two multinational oil producers for delivery of 10 Capstone MicroTurbine power systems, five of which have arrived and are undergoing installation. Capstone MicroTurbines will be used in resource recovery applications in which the systems will use low-value wellhead gases to produce electricity on site for oil field facilities and nearby communities.
Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. reported it closed a previously announced $7 million private placement. The proceeds will be used primarily to fund the installation of five 1.3 Mw wind turbines in the Pincher Creek area of southern Alberta. The company said it expects to start construction this spring and be operational in September. Currently, Canadian Hydro expects to sell power produced from the turbines in the Alberta spot market, although it also is considering other longer term arrangements.
Unitil Corp. said its Fitchburg Gas & Electric Light Co. subsidiary filed for a 8.5-16.48% decrease in its gas adjustment rates with the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Telecommunications (MDTE). Pending MDTE approval, the proposed rates would go into effect for May 1-Oct. 31, 2001. A typical residential heating customer using 41 therms/month of gas will see a nonwinter bill of $50.46, the company said.
Allegheny Power, a unit of Allegheny Energy Inc., and PJM Interconnection LLC said they filed documents with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to expand PJM through the creation of PJM West. Allegheny and PJM requested FERC approve the proposal by June 15. PJM West will develop a new electric transmission system affiliation which will expand the MidAtlantic energy market. The filing calls for implementation by Jan. 1, 2002.
Williams Cos. said its Kern River Transmission unit filed an application with the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission to add 135 MMcfd of firm transportation on its natural gas pipeline between Wyoming and California. The system currently has a capacity of around 700 MMcfd. The 922-mi Kern River gas transmission system carries gas to markets in California, Nevada, and Utah. The proposed $81 million project includes three new compressor stations�two in Utah, one in California�upgrades at three existing compressor stations in Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada and an upgrade at a meter station in California. The anticipated in-service date is July 1.
Enbridge Inc., Calgary said it will acquire Midcoast Energy Resources Inc., Houston, in a $600 million transaction, including $250 million in debt. The closing of the transaction is subject to approval by the Midcoast shareholders and to regulatory approvals. Closing is expected by the end of June. Enbridge estimated the acquisition will add 5�/share to earnings in 2002, the first full year after the acquisition.
Mirant Corp. said it will build an 894 Mw natural gas-fired power plant in Central Wisconsin pending regulatory approval. Two of the plant's units�or 586 Mw�will be combined cycle units that will be used in base load applications. Four additional units, totaling 308 Mw of capacity, would be peaking units used during times of extremely high demand.
AstroPower Inc. said it is making a public offering of 2 million shares of common stock at $30/per share. All the shares are being offered by the company. The company also granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 200,000 additional shares of common stock.
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. said the 614 Mw Nine Mile Point 1 nuclear plant in Scriba, NY, will be taken out of service March 18 to begin a scheduled refueling. The plant is scheduled to be out of service for 5 weeks.
Alliance Pipeline Ltd. Partnership said it closed a $450 million (Can.) senior note issue in Canada under its medium term note program. The senior notes mature June 30, 2023, with a coupon of 7.181% and a weighted average life of 15 years. Alliance Pipeline Ltd. Partnership is the owner and operator of the Canadian portion of the Alliance Pipeline System. The placement is part of Alliance Pipeline's strategy to refinance a large portion of its bank credit facilities with longer-term bonds.
Guardian Pipeline reported the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certified the new interstate natural gas pipeline to serve demand in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Guardian Pipeline is a partnership of three Midwest energy companies: CMS Energy Inc., Dearborn, Mich.; WICOR, a subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corp., Milwaukee, Wis.; and Viking Gas, a unit of Xcel Energy Inc., St. Paul, Minn. Currently, Guardian has firm precedent agreements with Wisconsin Gas and others to transport 662 MMcfd or 88% of design capacity when the pipeline goes into service in November 2002.