NRG Energy Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., reported closing the acquisition of a 2,255 Mw project portfolio from Indeck Energy Services Inc., Chicago, Ill., first announced July 10. The portfolio primarily serves the Chicago energy market. NRG acquired full ownership in five projects in operation, construction, and advanced development.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission denied Public Service Co. of New Mexico's (PMN) request for a rehearing of its petition to reduce restrictions on formation of a new holding company. PNM had asked for a rehearing, citing several restrictions the order places on the relationship between PNM as a regulated electric and gas utility, the new holding company, and other affiliates that might be formed under the new corporate structure. The company said it is considering what action to take.
Newfoundland Power Inc., St. John's, Newfoundland, reported filing a $45 million (Can.) 2002 capital budget with the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB). The PUB recently approved an application for a net increase of $1.8 million to the 2001 capital budget, bringing the total to $41 million. The additional capital expenditures are for improvements to the Cape Broyle hydro plant and the Burin Peninsula reliability project.
Avista Corp., Spokane, Wash., said it will ask regulators in Washington and Idaho to allow the company to pass on to its residential and small farm customer $14.5 million in benefits from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).If approved, qualifying customers in Washington would receive a monthly rate reduction of about 10%. For Idaho customers, the reduction would be about 8%.
Bangor Hydro-Electric Co., Bangor, Me., reported it has filed a petition with the Maine Public Utilities Commission for a new 84-mile, 345 kv transmission line between Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. The line will be a second tie with New Brunswick Power Corp. The line will initially be able to move 300 Mw. Bangor Hydro expects to begin construction in winter 2002.
Dominion Resources Inc., Richmond, Va., said it is among the finalists selected by the Tennessee Valley Authority to build a $300 million, 600 Mw gas-fired power plant in Hickman County, Tenn. If built, the company expects the facility to begin operating by fall 2004. The proposed facility would connect to the TVA's 161 kv transmission lines south of Duck River. The facility would use about 90,000 decatherms/day of natural gas from a nearby Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. line. TVA is expected to announce winning bids in October.
KeySpan Corp., New York, NY, said administrative law judges have recommended the state siting board allow the 250 Mw expansion of KeySpan's Ravenswood electric generation facility. If approved by the full board, the new plant could be operational by 2003. The expansion will increase Ravenswood's electric-generation capacity by 12%, to a maximum 2,450 Mw.
Regent Energy Corp. reported executing a contract with Millennium Energy Ventures (MEVCO), Houston, to develop a $250 million, 500 Mw electric generation plant on Regent's Horseshoe Gallup lease in San Juan County, NM. Ownership of the project is 75% Regent and 25% MEVCO. Under the agreement, MEVCO will assist Regent in acquiring gas fields in the Four Corners area, San Juan, and Rio Ariba counties totaling 90 bcf and 20 MMcfd current production. The partners said the production will power 100 Mw of the plant, with the remaining supply to be aggregated from other San Juan producers.
Minnesota Power, a business unit of Allete Inc., Duluth, Minn., and Blandin Paper Co,, a subsidiary of UPM-Kymmene, Helsinki, Finland, have proposed a $200 million, 225 Mw combined heat and power plant adjacent to Blandin Paper in Grand Rapids, Minn. A new company, Rapids Power LLC, will be created to own the facility. Minnesota Power subsidiary Rainy River Energy Corp. will own 71.5% of Rapids Power LLC and Blandin will own 28.5%. Wood waste, Powder River basin coal, and natural gas will be used to fuel the plant. Pending regulatory approval, construction would begin in 2002 with commercial operation scheduled in mid-2005, the companies said.
