text
stringlengths 1
1.59M
| meta
dict |
|---|---|
Thanks for the reply. I can understand your position. I am looking more for
a refresher course. I am planning on taking it around mid December or as
late as mid January. I am beginning to start studying again on my own, but I
wanted to get a little more help. Thanks for your call!
Ben
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Because the ETS Commercial Asset Development and Corporate Development functions are being rationalized, the financial and analytical support provided to these functions has been reviewed as well. As a result, two Associates and one Analyst from the Associate & Analyst program not no longer needed to support these efforts. Their names have been submitted to Billy Lemmons for reassignment, effective next week.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
_______________________________________________________
Send a cool gift with your E-Card
http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
Received: from avocet.prod.itd.earthlink.net ([207.217.121.50]) by
bruno.excite.com (InterMail vM.4.01.02.00 201-229-116) with
ESMTP id
<20010405014949.GMVO18186.bruno.excite.com@avocet.prod.itd.earthlink.net>
for <[email protected]>; Wed, 4 Apr 2001 18:49:49 -0700
Received: from mom (1Cust193.tnt2.college-station.tx.da.uu.net
[63.25.50.193]) by avocet.prod.itd.earthlink.net (EL-8_9_3_3/8.9.3) with SMTP
id SAA29014; Wed, 4 Apr 2001 18:49:42 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <001801c0bd74$1622a880$c132193f@mom>
From: "Buddy & Doris" <[email protected]>
To: "Bettye Langham" <[email protected]>, "Candice Vaughan"
<[email protected]>, "Jennifer Hefti" <[email protected]>, "Jan
Mcdonald" <[email protected]>, "Buddy Smith"
<[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Fw: Chocolate Math
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 20:59:39 -0500
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0015_01C0BD4A.2A4A0EE0"
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400
?
----- Original Message -----
Ern
From: PAM PRAESEL
> >>
> >> -----
> >> >> Subject: Chocolate Math
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS
> >> >> This is pretty neat how it works out.
> >> >> This is cool chocolate math!!!!!!!
> >> >> DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
> >> >> It only takes about a minute.......
> >> >> Work this out as you read.
> >> >> Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
> >> >> This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.
> >> >>
> >> >> 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would
like
>to
> >> >> have chocolate. (try for more than once but less than 10)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> 2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> 3. Add 5. (for Sunday)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> 4. Multiply it by 50 (being a bit stupid)
> >> >>
> >> >> I'll wait while you get the calculator................
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1751....
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> If you haven't, add 1750 ..........
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. (if you
> >> >> remember)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> You should have a three digit number .....
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many
> >> >> times you want to have chocolate each week).
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> The next two numbers are your age.
> >> >>
> >> >> THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2001) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND
> >> >> WHILE IT LASTS. IMPRESSIVE ISN'T IT?
> >> >> Jan Phillips
> >> >>
> >> >> Adult Educational Development Phone: (847) 925-6473
> >> >> William Rainey Harper College Fax: (847) 925-6048
> >> >> 1200 W. Algonquin Road Email:
> >[email protected]
> >> >> Palatine, Il 60067
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
>
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Congrats Kim. Having heard the rumor on the street about the success you
folks have enjoyed this quarter, I'd say you couldn't have timed the move
any better. The next time I am in Houston (which will be the first time)I am
expecting to have you show me the town. I'll give you enough notice so you
can book the next day off sick.
Sound O.K.?
It was good to hear from you.
Talk to you sometime soon.
Cheers
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 10:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: HI
Congratulations on a healthy new baby! Tyler is sort of a southern name -
I like it! As for me - I got a call last November to come back and market
gas in the west. I didn't think there was much going on out there but
decided to go for it for personal reasons. got here Jan. 2 and gas had
completely blown out in the west. So far, it seems like it was a good move
for me.
My house in PDX sold in 4 days and I came to Houston between Christmas and
New years and found a place here. Still trying to move in as I can't get
anything done during the week! Just had new blinds put in yesterday.
Let me know if you are ever in town - keep in touch
Kim
"Connelly, Scott" <[email protected]> on 03/29/2001 09:18:05 AM
To: "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
cc:
Subject: RE: HI
Hey you. I didn't know you were in Houston. You are over there on the gas
side?! WOW!! When did that happen?
You always did like Houston didn't you. I bet you are having a great time
doing gas. It is quite a market these days.
I didn't go to Phoenix because I just had a baby boy. Tyler is his name. He
was born March 6th. I have a couple of boys now they will be just fine if
they take after their daddy.
Other than the new arrival things are pretty much steady in my life. Things
are going very well here at Mirant (quite the new name eh!).
Give me an update on your life - being in Houston and all now.
Talk to you soon
Cheers
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 10:06 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: HI
Scotty,
Didn't see you in Phoenix last week - I actually was in PHX for meetings
and crashed the power party! How are things? Houston is good and gas is
great right now. Let me know how you are -
Kim
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Lorraine, I have no problem with Larry's proposed change or his reasons for
the change. However, I would ask that we eliminate the word "volumetric" as
that has other connotations in the FERC tariff world. I.e., if we were truly
to have "volumetric" rates (like Northern) we'd have to file a whole new rate
schedule! I just don't want to use this word. I don't think it's necessary
in order to convey Larry's meaning. Why don't we insert: "on a daily basis
only to the volumes for which such other alternate points are utilized".
If Larry wants to talk about it I'm happy to. If he comes up with any more
issues I am sending him to law school as punishment.
Lorraine Lindberg
07/07/2000 09:49 AM
To: Susan Scott/ET&S/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: Discount Letter
HELP!
---------------------- Forwarded by Lorraine Lindberg/ET&S/Enron on
07/07/2000 09:50 AM ---------------------------
Larry L Black <[email protected]> on 07/06/2000 06:52:21 PM
Please respond to [email protected]
To: "Lindberg, Lorraine" <[email protected]>
cc:
Subject: Discount Letter
Lorraine,
I have your revised letter.? There is only one thing that seems subject to
possible questions about the intent.? Paragraph 3, last sentence.? I suggest
it be revised as follows:
".....and Transwestern's maximum rates shall apply on a daily, volumetric
basis to the volumes for which such other alternate points are utilized."
This would reflect how I read the Tariff provisions to apply.? As written
now, someone could infer that ALL volumes go to max rates whenever ANY
volumes are moved from/to an unspecified alternate point.? I am visualizing a
nomination day with part of the volumes from Primary or one of these
specified points and part of the volumes from some other unspecified
alternate point.
Then, just a general question.? Are any of these named alternates also
delivery points, as well as receipt points?? Are there any delivery points in
these areas that should be recognized?
I will talk to you first thing in the morning.
Thanks.
Larry
- llblack.vcf
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Sheri has told me that you made an announcement recently. Congratulations on
the baby! I hope that you are feeling well. I am so happy for you and your
husband. My how your lives will change!! But how enriched they will be.
Our three are so much fun. I will also always be honest with expectant moms
and say that a new baby is an incredible amount of work as well and that it
sometimes takes a while to really enjoy the experience. If you ever want
some funny stories about adjusting to being a first-time mom, just let me
know. I would be glad to share my experience with you. --Sally
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Please confirm receipt. I may be having e-mail problems...
I'm calling them and Red Oak this morning. I will have GR do the back yard
also. NM
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 7:26 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save the Date -- Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
Gold Rose today?
---------------------- Forwarded by Kay Mann/Corp/Enron on 06/06/2001 07:25
AM ---------------------------
From: Mark E Haedicke@ECT on 06/05/2001 01:46 PM
Sent by: Janette Elbertson@ECT
To: Alan Aronowitz/HOU/ECT@ECT, Michelle Blaine/ENRON@enronXgate, Sandi M
Braband/HOU/ECT@ECT, Gail Brownfeld/Enron@EnronXGate, Robert
Bruce/NA/Enron@Enron, Teresa G Bushman/HOU/ECT@ECT, Michelle
Cash/HOU/ECT@ECT, Dominic Carolan/Enron@EnronXGate, Barton
Clark/HOU/ECT@ECT, Harry M Collins/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mary
Cook/HOU/ECT@ECT, Nancy Corbet/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENt,
Ned E Crady/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, Eddy
Daniels/NA/Enron@Enron, Angela Davis/NA/Enron@Enron, Peter del
Vecchio/HOU/ECT@ECT, Stacy E Dickson/HOU/ECT@ECT, Andrew
Edison/NA/Enron@Enron, Roseann Engeldorf/Enron@EnronXGate, Shawna
Flynn/HOU/ECT@ECT, Robert H George/NA/Enron@Enron, Barbara N
Gray/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mark Greenberg/NA/Enron@ENRON, Wayne
Gresham/HOU/ECT@ECT, Leslie Hansen/HOU/ECT@ECT, Jeffrey T
Hodge/HOU/ECT@ECT, Brent Hendry/NA/Enron@Enron, Dan J
Hyvl/HOU/ECT@ECT, Anne C Koehler/HOU/ECT@ECT, Cheryl
Lindeman/ENRON@enronXgate, Dan Lyons/HOU/ECT@ECT, Kay
Mann/Corp/Enron@Enron, Travis McCullough/HOU/ECT@ECT, Lisa
Mellencamp/HOU/ECT@ECT, Janet H Moore/HOU/ECT@ECT, Harlan
Murphy/NA/Enron@Enron, Julia Murray/HOU/ECT@ECT, Cheryl
Nelson/NA/Enron@Enron, Gerald Nemec/HOU/ECT@ECT, Marcus
Nettelton/NA/Enron@ENRON, Francisco Pinto
Leite/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, David Portz/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Coralina Rivera/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, Michael A
Robison/HOU/ECT@ECT, Daniel R
Rogers/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, Elizabeth
Sager/HOU/ECT@ECT, Richard B Sanders/HOU/ECT@ECT, Frank
Sayre/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, Lance
Schuler-Legal/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sara Shackleton/HOU/ECT@ECT, Carlos
Sole/NA/Enron@Enron, Carol St Clair/HOU/ECT@ECT, Lou
Stoler/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mark Taylor/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sheila
Tweed/HOU/ECT@ECT, Steve Van Hooser/HOU/ECT@ECT, John
Viverito/Corp/Enron@Enron, Ann Elizabeth White/HOU/ECT@ECT, Randy
Young/NA/Enron@Enron, Susan Bailey/HOU/ECT@ECT, Kimberlee A
Bennick/HOU/ECT@ECT, Martha
Braddy/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENt, Sarah
Bruck/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENt, Genia
FitzGerald/HOU/ECT@ECT, Nony Flores/HOU/ECT@ECT, Diane
Goode/NA/Enron@Enron, Linda R Guinn/HOU/ECT@ECT, Marie
Heard/NA/Enron@Enron, Ed B Hearn III/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mary J
Heinitz/HOU/ECT@ECT, Tana Jones/HOU/ECT@ECT, Kathleen
Carnahan/Enron@EnronXGate, Deb Korkmas/HOU/ECT@ECT, Laurie
Mayer/HOU/ECT@ECT, Matt Maxwell/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Mary
Ogden/HOU/ECT@ECT, Stephanie Panus/NA/Enron@Enron, Debra
Perlingiere/HOU/ECT@ECT, Robert Walker/HOU/ECT@ECT, Kay
Young/HOU/ECT@ECT, Merrill W Haas/HOU/ECT@ECT, Samantha
Ferguson/NA/Enron@Enron, Majed Nachawati/NA/Enron@Enron, Suzanne
Adams/HOU/ECT@ECT, Connie
Castillo/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, Margaret
Doucette/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, Keegan
Farrell/NA/Enron@Enron, Nita Garcia/NA/Enron@Enron, Carolyn
George/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Esmeralda Gonzalez/ENRON@enronXgate, Vanessa
Griffin/ENRON@enronXgate, Martha Keesler/ENRON@enronXgate, Holly
Keiser/ENRON_DEVELOPMENT@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT, MaryHelen
Martinez/NA/Enron@Enron, Taffy Milligan/HOU/ECT@ECT, Rae
Meadows/ENRON@EnronXgate, Linda J Simmons/HOU/ECT@ECT, Becky
Spencer/HOU/ECT@ECT, Twanda Sweet/HOU/ECT@ECT, Stephanie
Truss/Enron@EnronXGate, Alice Wright/NA/Enron@Enron, Theresa
Zucha/NA/Enron@Enron, Reginald Shanks/HOU/ECT@ECT, Claudia
Meraz/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Save the Date -- Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
(Embedded image moved to file: pic14413.pcx) (Embedded
image moved to file: pic16641.pcx)
(Embedded image moved to file: pic19855.pcx)
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston
(Embedded image moved to file: pic24855.pcx)
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Enron OnLine Capacity Auction
Bidding opened on Thursday 6/22; no bids have been received as yet but
several shippers have indicated interest and plan on responding on Monday
6/26. Bids close at 2pm Monday 6/26. Coincidentally, we received a call
from Unbound Technology, a developer of wireless software technology.
UnBound provides software architecture that creates the connection between
transaction processes and wireless services. This potentially would allow TW
to extend our e-commerce services beyond the desktop to a wireless user
through a customized, wireless interface (pagers, cell phones, etc.). We
have set a meeting with Unbound for next Wednesday.
Fuel Monetization
Implementation cost estimates are being finalized as customer interest is
being evaluated for this potential service option. Duke, Southern, and
Reliant are all interested but only if they can have first call on the space
created. El Paso Merchant Energy is expected to provide Transwestern a
proposal, early next week, for the potential monetization of the fuel
component for their company's transportation contracts totaling 65,000 Dth/d
of San Juan to California capacity.
Southern Company Energy Marketing
John Hogan was in town this week. Southern has advanced to the second round
of bidding on Nevada Power's generation assets which are scheduled to be sold
off by the end of this year. SCEM's Gallup agreement allows them to deliver
to the new SWG delivery point on an alternate basis, but if Southern is
successful in obtaining any of Nevada Power's gen assets, they may request to
amend the delivery point on their Gallup contract. SCEM is also very
interested in any expansions TW may have in the near future. Due to their
affiliation with Vastar, they have a definite appetite for more San Juan to
CA or NV transport.
Southern is interested in the possibility of buying options for capacity on
TW and we requested that he get his regulatory group familiar with the idea
in hopes that SCEM would support of our filing.
SCEM also plans to trigger its ROFR on their Ignacio to Blanco capacity
(30,000/d) by the 7/1 deadline.
Duke
They have triggered their ROFR on the Ignacio to Blanco capacity (18,000/d)
and this capacity will be posted on the Internet per TW's tariff the week of
7/3.
Pueblo Project
Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson was excoriated this week in front of
Senate panels reviewing his and the DOE's conduct regarding the missing
computer hard drives at Los Alamos. Since the Pueblo project hinged on the
ability of Richardson to use his Secretarial discretion to create this sole
source contract, with limited review by Congress, we can rest assured
Congressional support for Richardson or any of his pet projects is
non-existent.
Miscellaneous
Received a call from an irate Houston citizen complaining of "aggressive"
driving by an 18-wheel motor fuel carrier with "Transwestern" painted on the
truck. We assured the caller it was not our truck and recommended he call
the Tx DOT or sherriff's department.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
THE NEW SCHEDULE IS OUT FOR JUNE, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE IRREGULARITY. THERE WERE MANY REQUESTS FOR DAYS OFF AND IF I DID NOT ACCOMODATE YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
SLINGER
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Regarding the voice mail I left for you this afternoon. How should we be
confirming the AG trades? Can we confirm them to the Glencore Ltd. Master
Agreement?
thanks
brant
---------------------- Forwarded by Brant Reves/HOU/ECT on 02/14/2001 04:11
PM ---------------------------
From: Tom Moran
02/13/2001 10:32 AM
To: Brant Reves/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Re: Glencore AG
---------------------- Forwarded by Tom Moran/HOU/ECT on 02/13/2001 10:32 AM
---------------------------
From: Mary Tudon
06/12/2000 04:56 PM
To: Tanya Rohauer/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sara Shackleton/HOU/ECT@ECT, Tom
Moran/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Re: Glencore AG
Tanya/Sara/Tom:
I spoke with David Porter, the credit person at Glencore Ltd., last Friday
and inquired about Glencore AG's relation to Glencore Ltd., with which we
have a master swap. He indicated to me quite emphatically that Glencore
Ltd., Glencore AG, and Glencore SA are one in the same. He explained that
when documents of incorporation were filed with the country of Switzerland,
this one corporation registered three names which it uses to do business on a
regional basis. He faxed over some documents to that effect. He indicated
that while Glencore Ltd., the branch arm doing business here in the states
has the master, the master should cover Glencore AG, since it is the same
company only the European branch. He has even offered to work on an
amendment to the master to cover the addition of the second name, Glencore
AG..
Sara, I will send you the documentation that David Porter faxed me. Please
let me know your opinion of the information contained.
Thanks, Cathy Tudon
x3-0699
---------------------- Forwarded by Mary Tudon/HOU/ECT on 06/12/2000 04:40 PM
---------------------------
From: Tom Moran
06/12/2000 02:13 PM
To: Tanya Rohauer/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mary Tudon/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sara
Shackleton/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Re: Glencore AG
We received some interesting information from Glencore on Friday. Cathy,
could you please summarize the documentation and conversation you had with
David Porter last Friday.
Thanks! tm
From: Tanya Rohauer
06/12/2000 02:09 PM
To: Tom Moran/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Glencore AG
fyi..I do not know what the anticpated deal flow is (all liquids/products) or
why we cannot use Glencore Inc as the transacting entity where we have a
master.
---------------------- Forwarded by Tanya Rohauer/HOU/ECT on 06/12/2000 02:06
PM ---------------------------
From: Sara Shackleton on 06/12/2000 12:09 PM
To: Tanya Rohauer/HOU/ECT@ECT, Rod Nelson/HOU/ECT@ECT, Paul
Radous/Corp/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: Glencore AG
We are continuing to send Deemed ISDA's to this entity (periodically) and
have transacted with other Glencore entities in the past. I would like to
generate a draft ISDA and send to these guys because it will make our life
easier (and we say as much in a Deemed ISDA). Thanks. Sara
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Other deals is fine,
Build route has been selecting the hourly deals just fine, and including them in the off peak sections. We must be able to see these deals, as we have a great many deals with odd hours and shaped schedules.
Thanks,
Cara
-----Original Message-----
From: Venkataswami, Vishwanatha
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 12:32 PM
To: Bentley, Corry; Semperger, Cara
Cc: Smith, Will; Luu, Duong
Subject: Pre Schdule Work Space - Including Other Deals Section in Build Route
Hi,
We are categorizing the deals in Build Route depending on type of the deal:
If the deal strip is during Peak hours, Build route includes theses deals in On Peak deals section
If the deal strip is during Off-Peak hours, Build route includes these deals in Off-Peak deals section
If the deal strip is for 24 hours, Build route includes these deals in 24Hour Section deals
We are observing few deals strips only for few hours and not follows any of the above mentioned sections, they are not part of any Peak/OffPeak/24Hour section, and Build route is not selecting these deals.
I am proposing to add one more section called "Other Deals" and to include all these deals in this section.
Please let me know, if you have any questions/suggestions/comments in this regard.
Thanks,
Vish
x 53209
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
NYMEX fees are the same regardless of the Broker correct
-----Original Message-----
From: Fischer, Jason
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 1:36 PM
To: Quigley, Dutch
Subject: RE: TFS
For a full round turn it would be as follows...
Floor rate $2.50
Clearing $1.80
NYMEX Fees .80
TOTAL: $5.10
-----Original Message-----
From: Quigley, Dutch
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 1:33 PM
To: Fischer, Jason
Subject: RE: TFS
So on the EDF Man acct if we executed and cleared throught them the total cost paid to EDF is what ?
with the Floor rate 1.25 & clearing 0.90
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/email%201%20top.gif>
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/email%201%20round%20top%202.gif>
POWER MART '01
October 15-18, 2001 Houston, TX
George R. Brown Convention Center
For your FREE exhibition pass you must pre-register online by October 12. To pre-register, click here <http://www.mplanners.com/fte> and complete the required fields, enter "power" as your registration password.
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/levitt%20small.gif>IGNITE YOUR INSIGHTS
Don't miss special keynote speaker ARTHUR LEVITT, former chairman of the SEC.
October 16
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/pmart%20trio.gif>
IGNITE YOUR CAREER
Schedule your own agenda of specialized workshops that focus on POWER, NATURAL GAS, and EMERGING MARKETS.
October 16 - 18
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/harley.gif>
IGNITE YOUR FUN
Win a 2002 Harley-Davidson? FAT BOY Motorcycle at Trader's Happy Hour - Sponsored by TXU.
October 17
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/golf%20ball.gif>
IGNITE YOUR MARKET
Network with peers and clients at the Power Cup GOLF TOURNAMENT (October 15) and CASINO NIGHT at the Casino Royale (October 16).
Register Today
Three easy ways to register:
1. Visit <http://www.powermart.com/customize.asp>
2. Call 800-424-2908 (toll-free within the U.S.)
or 720-548-5700 (direct)
3. E-mail [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Visit <http://www.powermart.com> for more information
Priority Code 722
If you wish to cancel future Power Mart promotions, click here <mailto:[email protected]> and type CANCEL in the subject line, then send.
If you wish to unsubscribe from this and ALL other Platts (formerly known as FT Energy) promotions, click here <mailto:[email protected]> and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line, then send.
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/A%20division%20of%20the%20MH%20companies.gif>
<http://public.resdata.com/htmlmail/email%201%20round%20bot%202.gif>
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
As a follow up to the meeting with AA on Friday, April 14, Richard and I
discussed with AA (Sorrells, Grutzmacher and Brown) how the monthly BRM
controller's meeting deliverables and database deliverables should be
prepared. The proposal I think we should recommend to AA is the following:
Opening and closing meeting with front line managers and discussion of all
items, regardless of priority ratings (high, medium, low)
Report generated to the Business Risk Managers at the monthly controller
meeting in the "Project Doorstep" style, incorporating existing controls and
observations/action steps to be taken on the critical issues (those with a
high rating) and identify responsible person(s) and target date
Follow up matrix report relating to the specific project audited in the
manner consistent with the BRM database indicating priority ratings (the high
issues should match the issues reported in the monthly controller meetings)
Eliminate the summary report that has typically be presented at the monthly
controller meetings
Once the "Project Doorstep" style report presented by AA is received at the
monthly controller meeting, compliance will input the issues into the second
database to enable the reminder notifications to be sent to the person(s)
responsible for the action step. In addition, a monthly progress report will
be generated from compliance to the Business Risk Managers to show the
critical (high) issues and implementation detail, if any.
It will be imperative that AA issue final reports on the projects immediately
after they have been completed and deliver the matrix within two (2) weeks
after the monthly controller meetings to Compliance for inputting to the BRM
database. If this information is not received within the two week time
period, compliance will notify the BRM's and AA of the deficiency.
It will also be necessary for you, the Business Risk Managers, to notify your
front line personnel that they will be receiving the email notifications on
action plans with specific target dates and with the expectation that the
responsible persons will be expected to respond to the email with the status
report of the issue.
If you are in agreement with this reporting plan, please indicate so in a
return email message to me and I will coordinate all responses and
communicate this to AA. I feel that this process will provide the BRM's the
necessary information that you have indicated you want to hear in the
controller's meetings, including the candid discussions as well as provide
compliance with the necessary information to maintain the database so the
information is available for the corporate needs.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 31939. Thank
you for your attention. Donna Lowry
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
This request has been pending approval for 3 days and you are the alternate. Please click http://itcapps.corp.enron.com/srrs/auth/emailLink.asp?ID=000000000077034&Page=Approval to review and act upon this request.
Request ID : 000000000077034
Approver : [email protected]
Request Create Date : 11/21/01 12:03:10 PM
Requested For : [email protected]
Resource Name : VPN/IPASS
Resource Type : Applications
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Joanne Rozycki
Senior Administrative Assistant
Enron North America Corp.
1400 Smith Street, EB3880D
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 853-5968 Fax: (713) 646-3490
Email: [email protected]
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Please see attached spreadsheet. Total Headcount at 874 and Total Bonus $s at 13,019,750
Couple of things to note:
Based on Zufferli sheet, I added 11 names to the Canada number but could not split btwn trading and orig
Probably need to verify Canda number with Milnthorpe. I noticed Disturnal was not on the list. Is that an error?
Did not see tax listed on Master cover sheet. Tax would result in an add of 4 headcount and $220,000.
Portland had several changes adds in blue
Please call with any questions.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
-----Original Message-----
From:?? [email protected] [SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent:?? Thursday, December 21, 2000 11:40 AM
To:???? [email protected]
Subject:??????? Re: VNG Contract Volumes
Wonderful.? One more question, could you give me the meter numbers for
these points?
[Immer, Ingrid]? Give an inch, and they'll take a mile...
"Immer, Ingrid" <[email protected]> on 12/20/2000 03:51:13 PM
To:?? "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
cc:
Subject:? VNG Contract Volumes
Contr. No.????? Volume? (dt)??? Primary Rcpt/Del
3.1212? ??????? 14,625? ??????? Station 165 / Emporia [Immer, Ingrid]??
8696/941
?
0.6507? ??????? ??? 556 ??????? UTOS / Leidy (545) [Immer, Ingrid]? ???
6402/6161
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Ragley / Leidy (11) [Immer, Ingrid]? ??
6217/6161
0.3924? ??????? 35,930? ??????? Sta 62 / Emporia (14,013) [Immer, Ingrid]?
???? 7141/941
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Sta 45 / Emporia (8,982) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 7101/941
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Sta 50 / Emporia (6,826) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 6948/941
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Sta 30 / Emporia (6,109) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 7133/941
0.3726? ??????? 15,930? ??????? Sta 62 / Emporia (6,213) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 7141/941
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Sta 45 / Emporia (6,691) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 7101/941
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Sta 50 / Emporia (9,717) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 6948/941?
??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? Sta 30 / Emporia (2,708) [Immer, Ingrid]?
????? 7133/941
Note that the telescoped volumes on .3726 are cumulative and are
incremental on .3924.
ii
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
OWN YOUR VERY OWN FREE CASINO AND SPORTSBOOK!
EARNING POTENTIAL: $75-$150,000 + YEARLY P/T!!
Toll Free: 1-866-522-8575 24hrs. International calls: 1-954-610-9386
Ted Koppel, Nightline...
"Not only is Internet Gambling already possible, already a modestly thriving Industry, it promises to become huge"
We create your very own Online Casino and Sportsbook Absolutely FREE!!
You Receive the Highest Payouts! 25-50%, With Lifetime Residuals!
Our marketing tools assist you in easily generating revenue .
100 people losing just $500 a month in your casino gives you $25,000 a month!!!
*If you are one of the first 25 people to call today, Receive a FREE marketing package!
*Available in a limited number of area codes throughout the USA.
*AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS IN YOUR AREA.
Toll Free 1-866-522-8575 24hrs. International calls: 954-610-9386 or email your name and phone number to:
mailto:[email protected]?subject=More-Info-$$$
U.S. News and World report on Internet gambling: "A gold rush in Cyberspace."
PAYOUT SCHEDULE: You receive 25-50% of the monthly Net Cashout (the cumulative loss of all players).
1. Internet use is continuing to explode! It is estimated that a million new people every day are joining
the hundreds of millions already on-line.
2. Legalized gaming has become the top revenue earner for all forms of entertainment in the U.S. today.
Your Winnings $10,000 = You earn $5,000 $25,000 = You earn $12,500 $50,000 = You earn $25,000
$100,000 =You earn $50,000
NO TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! WE DO ALL THE WORK!
Our company is strategically aligned with industry leaders and ready to launch an aggressive marketing
strategy. GQ Magazine "The gambling urge is universal, mixing it with the ubiquity of the Internet is a
stroke of genius."
INTERNET GAMBLING: This is the estimated gross revenue for Internet gambling operations based on
results of publicly traded companies and research by stock experts.
1997 $0.30 billion 1998 $0.65 billion 1999 $1.17 billion 2000 $2.89 billion 2001 $5.72 billion
2002 $9.17 billion source: Christiansen/Cummings Associates, Inc. Here's an interesting statistic:
A typical better loses $500 per week. Do The Math!
Do not wait, we are poised for success, and looking for people to share in that success!
Contact us today: Toll Free 1-866-522-8575 24hrs. International calls: 954-610-9386
Or Email your name and phone number along with the best time to reach you.
mailto:[email protected]?subject=More-Info-$$$
Why we're "IN THE NEWS" Every gambler knows that the house always wins in the long run.
As Steve Wynn once famously said, "the only way to make money in a casino is to own one"
"I made $73,589.00 in my first 6 months, and will double that this time around" J.Barnes, Norfolk, VA
"We believe our projections of Internet gambling revenues of $100 to $200 Billion domestically and
$200-$400 Billion in the rest of the world is reasonable, even conservative." The Baker Report
"We didn't realize how many people in our area gambled on-line until we received our first check for
$39,789.54" Steve Rhodes, PA.
"As an entertainer, I look at the Internet as the future venue for many forms of entertainment. It is a
powerful way to bring fun and safe entertainment to millions of people at the same time."
Country Singer and online casino owner, Kenny Rogers
"I was amazed at the number of friends and family that are playing on my Casino, last month I earned over $11,400"
Dave P. IL
"There's no doubt you are dealing with hundreds of Billions of dollars... the amount of money we're talking
is astronomical." -Wisconsin Attorney General James Doyle on Internet gambling
"I have over 500 players a month at my casino right now and I am already starting your 65% program" MD. WI.
"Net traffic is doubling every 100 days." U.S. Commerce Department
"On-line gambling turnovers have the potential to dwarf those of other interactive services, tapping into an existing
traditional gambling market valued at over $700 Billion in Europe alone." Data monitor, a market analyst corporation.
PC Computing Magazine has conservatively estimated that the US Internet gaming market could soon reach $20 billion
in annual revenue.
=============================================================================
REMOVAL INSRTUCTIONS: CLICK HERE mailto:[email protected]?subject=Remove-CAS
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I will pay you Monday, but please remind me if I forget. Thanks.
Enron North America Corp.
From: Kimberly Brown 08/04/2000 09:27 AM
To: Scott Neal/HOU/ECT@ECT, Jared Kaiser/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sandra F
Brawner/HOU/ECT@ECT, Dick Jenkins/HOU/ECT@ECT, Brad McKay/HOU/ECT@ECT, Scott
Hendrickson/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sarah Mulholland/HOU/ECT@ECT, Andrea
Ring/HOU/ECT@ECT, Susan W Pereira/HOU/ECT@ECT, Dan Junek/HOU/ECT@ECT, Chris
Germany/HOU/ECT@ECT, Judy Townsend/HOU/ECT@ECT, Robin Barbe/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Tammi DaPaolis/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Colleen Sullivan/HOU/ECT@ECT, Farzad
Farhangnia/HOU/ECT@ECT, John Craig Taylor/HOU/ECT@ECT, Scott
Goodell/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Clarissa Garcia/HOU/ECT@ECT, Victoria
Versen/HOU/ECT@ECT, Meredith Mitchell/HOU/ECT@ECT, Beverly Beaty/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Molly Sumrow/HOU/ECT@ECT, Alvin Thompson/Corp/Enron@Enron, Victor
Lamadrid/HOU/ECT@ECT, Edward Terry/HOU/ECT@ECT, Tricia Bowen/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Steve Gillespie/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Joe A Casas/HOU/ECT@ECT, Christina
Sanchez/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Joann Collins/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Angie
Zeman/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Jesse Villarreal/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sabra L
Dinari/HOU/ECT@ECT, Scott Loving/NA/Enron@ENRON, Robert Allwein/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Patrice L Mims/HOU/ECT@ECT, Kelli Stevens/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sylvia S
Pollan/HOU/ECT@ECT, Lisa Kinsey/HOU/ECT@ECT, Hunter S Shively/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Fletcher J Sturm/HOU/ECT@ECT, Tom Donohoe/HOU/ECT@ECT, Andrew H
Lewis/HOU/ECT@ECT, Felecia Russell/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Joe
Parks/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Jason Williams/HOU/ECT@ECT, Katherine L
Kelly/HOU/ECT@ECT, Ruth Concannon/HOU/ECT@ECT, Martin Cuilla/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Xochitl-Alexis Velasco/HOU/ECT@ECT, Airam Arteaga/HOU/ECT@ECT, Lucy
Marshall/Enron Communications@Enron Communications
cc:
Subject: Kate's Baby Shower****
I forgot to include the date..... August 18 at 3:00 in EB32C2.
The East Desk will be hosting a baby shower for Kate and Mike Fraser,
celebrating their anticipated arrival of twins(a boy and a girl)!!!!!! I
will be collecting $20 or whatever you would like to give for a gift. As
always this is not mandatory. You can bring your donation to my desk
anytime.
Thanks
Kimberly
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
-----Original Message-----
From: AOL Instant Messenger <confirm_4_7ee084bfade9dcf9346769750a533ec170809393521532678c636f9c49095757_dfarmer770@newman.oscar.aol.com>@ENRON
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 4:08 PM
To: Farmer, Daren J.
Subject: AOL Instant Messenger Reconfirmation
Thank you for registering for the AOL Instant Messenger(SM) service!
Your registration for screen name dfarmer770 has been received.
You are now one step away from being able to:
* Communicate instantly -- it's fast, easy, fun and free!
* Create your own Buddy List(r) feature -- see when your friends and family are online.
* Meet new friends in our chat rooms or by searching our member directory.
* Follow your stocks and news headlines, exchange files and images and much, much more.
Please reply to this message within 48 hours to complete the registration process.
Simply click on reply and type 'OK' as the text of your message so that we can
confirm that your e-mail address is valid. Confirming your registration is very
important -- it ensures that using screen name dfarmer770 you can use all current
and future features of the AIM(SM) service as well as the following great AOL
web products:
* AOL Calendar(SM) (aim.aol.com/redirects/aimemail/calendar.html)
* AOL Hometown(SM) (aim.aol.com/redirects/aimemail/hometown.html)
* My AOL.COM (aim.aol.com/redirects/aimemail/myaol.html)0
* AOL.COM(SM) Personal Finance Web Center (aim.aol.com/redirects/aimemail/finance.html)
As a security precaution you will not be able to obtain or change your password or
update your e-mail address until you confirm your registration.
Upon confirmation you will receive a welcome message with valuable links to FAQs
and other helpful information.
Download the AOL Instant Messenger(tm) software from the AOL.COM(SM) web site
(aim.aol.com/redirects/aimemail/download.html), if you have not already done so.
To use the AIM service when you are away from your computer,
<A HREF="http://aim.aol.com/redirects/aimemail/quickbuddy.html">click here</A> for information about our Quick
Buddy service.
Again, thank you for registering for the AOL Instant Messenger service!
You received this one-time-only e-mail because you successfully registered for the
AIM service.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Christi,
As I have been thinking about this problem, my opposition to a standard model is declining, partly out of frustration with the slow progress being made. I think, however, that we ought to think about the potential consequences of recommending a standard model. If we simply endorse PJM, then we may inadvertently get its warts as well -- no secondary transmission market, ICAP market, etc. I think we are considering the same thing approach as was reported by Charles Yeung's in his note on Tuesday's Inter-RTO Coordination (Seams) Conference:
"Harvey Reed, Constellation Power, suggested that FERC impose a standard tariff for all RTOs to work from that did not restrict RTOs from filing different proposals, but would limit their ability to diverge from a single market model."
In addition to the standard model, there needs to be a deadline for either filing the tariff or for filing the standard tariff. Without a "feet to the fire" feature, nothing the grand stall will continue. In arguing for a standard model, the PJM system could be the core of a proposal but we should specific modifications to address our concerns. On the transmission rights issue, for instance, a simple "don't allocate" solution won't work. The lack of the secondary market for NY TCCs or PJM FTRs goes both to the lack of information and to the way the rights are defined. If as Harvey Reed suggests, RTOs can submit alternative approaches, at least there will be pressure to get moving. I have not discussed this idea with West Power.
It then occurred to me that FERC is unlikely to impose a standard tariff without a rulemaking proceeding. Whether they could act by fiat or not is a moot point, since I doubt that they would do so without creating a record. There are two possible down sides to a rule making. (1) The outcome of a rulemaking is something of a crap shoot. The incumbents have a pretty good record in the past, of coming out of rulemakings with plenty of goodies such as the native load exemption in Order No. 888. There is a also a distinct risk that PJM's ICAP or transmission right allocation process is given blessed status, which will make revision of them later to be a huge uphill battle. (2) The other consequence of a rulemaking its effect on current RTO discussions. The best outcome is that the uncertainty of the rulemaking creates an urgency to get a proposal filed before a new FERC rule cuts off options from a new the standard for review. The uncertainty prior to the issuance of Order No. 888 in fact had that effect in the West. On the other hand it can mean that nothing happens until the new rule is issued. This also happened prior to Order No. 888, with a number of companies sitting on their hands, using the time delay to protect existing positions, while whipping up State regulators' fears of jurisdictional shift as necessary to boost their own position.
These are only own views. I have not had a chance to speak with West Power this week, but I will approach Tim when I am in Portland again next week.
Steve
Christi L Nicolay 06/19/2001 04:21 PM To: Steve Walton/HOU/ECT@ECT cc: James D Steffes/NA/Enron@ENRON, Richard Shapiro/NA/Enron@Enron, Sarah Novosel/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Steven J Kean/NA/Enron@Enron Subject: Re: INTERIM MODEL TALKING POINTS
Can we focus the PJM language as an interim fix toward the East (while maybe the threat of PJM in the West will make the West RTOs act quickly and adopt everything that Steve W. has been advocating). Also, I agree with the ISO being required to provide much greater information on where the congestion occurs. While the allocation of FTRs is a problem and the idiosyncratic nature is also a problem, it is because the traders do not have access to all the information. They have told me that if they had access to all the information about congestion from the past several years, they could essentially build a model for anticipated congestion that could trade "above" the underlying FTRs as financial instruments.
Steve Walton
06/18/2001 03:30 PM
To: James D Steffes/NA/Enron@ENRON
cc: Christi L Nicolay/HOU/ECT@ECT, Richard Shapiro/NA/Enron@Enron, Sarah Novosel/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Steven J Kean/NA/Enron@Enron
Subject: Re: INTERIM MODEL TALKING POINTS
Jim,
I have added my comments to your draft. My concern with the "Adopt PJM" approach is that it will become a fiat accompli with regard to congestion management. and the nature of future transmission rights. Once adopted as the standard, nothing else will be accepted and any move to a decentralized approach is highly unlikely. Unlike the British, we have a hard time changing horses because of our multi-jurisdictional Federal system of government.
The PJM's lack of a secondary FTR market is more that just an allocation problem. If that were true, they New York would have a secondary market -- none exists there either. The unpredictability of prices is probably the biggest problem since no one knows how to value FTRs or TCCs. I think the nature of instrument is also not particularly helpful.
During our discussion of Seabron Adamson's last draft, I maintained that a centralized unit commitment process didn't fit the Pacific Northwest (PNW) with its pattern of trading to achieve coordination between hydroelectric and thermoelectric generation. You asked me to provide more detail hydro-thermal operation. I am including a paper that covers the nature of PNW operations and contracting with observations about the nature of unit commitment. Given other work and travel, it has taken some time to complete the paper and its examples. I hope this will help to explain why I am hesitant to endorse a centralize unit commitment implementation.
Steve
James D Steffes@ENRON 06/18/2001 01:48 PM To: Steven J Kean/NA/Enron@Enron, Richard Shapiro/NA/Enron@Enron, Christi L Nicolay/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sarah Novosel/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Steve Walton/HOU/ECT cc: Subject: INTERIM MODEL TALKING POINTS
Here is the draft of an Interim step for Enron to give to Lay. Please give me your comments. This is CONFIDENTIAL and should not be shared outside the company.
Jim
<Embedded StdOleLink>
<Embedded StdOleLink>
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Jeff,
In order for California to "shut its doors" it must open its
interconnections with the rest of the west and become a Texas-like electrical
island. This they cannot do. California has a substantial investment in
units located in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The lights would go
out in California if they opened the ties. In the 1970's there was a hue and
cry over loop flow, with California claiming that it was being injured by
others, particularly by the interior systems trading practices, however they
never considered opening the ties, because the benefits of interconnection
were so large that the "cost" of loop flow was far exceeded by the value of
regional trade, i.e., they are economically interdependent.
If such a foolish thing were done and California full "closed its doors" by
opening its ties, cost would go up in the Northwest, in California and all
the rest of the Western System. There are "gains for trade" which accrue to
all parties from interconnection. The trade is more complicated than just
summer/winter peaks (seasonal load diversity) there is also seasonal resource
diversity (Spring run off effects) and finally there opportunity to
capitalize on storage vs base load thermal operations. I will address the
last point first to illustrate the complexity of the trading patterns.
The interior west (Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico) has large
amount of base load coal plants. As load drops off in those areas, the
energy flows to the coast to back off peaking plants and to back off hydro.
The reduction of hydro production allows night time reservoir refill which
can be used to meet peak load in the Northwest and California. This can be
seen in the attached file, which contains a set of plots for hourly flow on
the Pacific DC Intertie Jun97, Dec 97, Jun 98, Dec 98, Jun 99, Dec 99,
Jun00. In these plots the clear day/night exchange of energy can be seen,
especially in the Jun00 plot when sales are being made to California in the
day and to the Northwest at night. This day to night storage exchange
benefits lowers costs for everyone.
On top of this daily/weekly cycle, there is the seasonal shift in load
diversity you noted. For the Northwest, its peak load occurs when energy
production is the lowest -- during the winter. As a stand alone system, the
Pacific Northwest (i.e., the Columbia Drainage area) is energy constrained.
The hydro in that area does not produce enough energy to meet annual needs.
There is plenty of generating capacity to meet any peak, but not enough to
total water flow. Energy imports from Wyoming and Montana (e.g. Colstrip and
Bridger) are required to allow the Pacific Northwest to meet its annual
energy requirement. With these energy inputs from the coal fields, the
seasonal water budget can be arranged to get the most value out of the hydro
system, although fish, navigation, irrigation, etc. impose an increasing
number of constraints. Energy imports from in the winter from the South help
to meet this energy balance during the winter so water can be reserved until
the snow pack is better know in early Spring. Some of the sales to the
Northwest from California during the winter are a result of displacement from
Desert Southwest energy moving through California and then up the Interties
to the Northwest.
Finally, the Spring run off/fish flush when production on the river is at a
maximum and load in the Northwest is down. The sale of these surpluses paid
for the Pacific Intertie lines and remain important to the entire system.
Much system maintenance of base load units has been historically been planned
to take advantage of this factor. Again both California and the Northwest
benefit from this trade.
In all cases, the parties would be worse off if the ties were open and
everyone was on their own. The Northwest may be capacity long, but it is
typically energy short, even in flush hydro years. The winter energy imports
from the South hold Northwest costs down just as spring run off sales to the
South lower energy costs in California. California cannot craft a solo
solution that ignores the rest of the West. It is probably hard to decide
who would be worst off if California "closed its doors". It is only clear
that total cost would rise in both California and the rest of the West from
which it divorced itself.
I hope this rambling response comes at the question you raise.
Steve
Jeff Dasovich@ENRON
Sent by: Jeff Dasovich@ENRON
02/28/2001 11:35 AM
To: James D Steffes/NA/Enron@Enron
cc: Alan Comnes/PDX/ECT@ECT, Mary Hain/HOU/ECT@ECT, Steve
Walton/HOU/ECT@ECT, Susan J Mara/NA/Enron@ENRON, Richard
Shapiro/NA/Enron@Enron, Paul Kaufman/PDX/ECT@ECT
Subject: Re: Cost of Protectionism
To Jim's last point. I understand that the good 'ol utility system was often
operated with little regard for basic economic principles, but there's
something in this that seems very odd and difficult to assess, and it seems
to always be tied to this notion that "California is a net importer, even in
the winter." I'm going to start with the economics and then let folks
describe why it seemingly doesn't apply in Western electricity markets.
Just about every theory of economics and trade would lead to one conclusion:
If California closes it's doors the other Western states will pay higher
prices for power and/or face increased threats to reliability. I'm
struggling to try to determine why these basic principles aren't applicable
to Western power markets. I understand that the PNW is a very complex place
and that the reasons could be embedded in the arcane structure that has
developed over the years.
To keep it simple (though not necessarily accurate), I've confined the
analysis to a world in which only the PNW and California exist.
The basic situation: The PNW peaks in the winter; California peaks in the
summer.
Let's take two scenarios:
1) The West, less California, is so awash in electricity that even in its
peak--the Winter--it still has power to send to California, i.e., it has so
overbuilt it's system that it has persistent surpluses to sell to California.
Irrespective, there have (to my limited knowledge) always been sales from CA
to the PNW during the winter, when the PNW is peaking.
The only conclusion that one can make, assuming that the PNW is awash in
electricity, is that the PNW takes the power in California because it makes
economic sense to do so. That is, during the winter peaking months, it must
be cheaper on the margin for the PNW to buy from California rather than
produce itself. Otherwise, it's difficult to understand why it would buy
from California during this month, particularly if they're long. As such, at
a minimum, the PNW's electric bill will necessarily increase if California
closes its doors.
2) Neither the PNW , nor California, has indigenous capacity to meet peaking
load. Therefore, the PNW must buy California's power during its peaking
summer period, and California must buy power during it's summer peaking
period. In this case, not only will the PNW's bill go up if California
closes its doors, the lights are likely to go because they'll be short power.
I realize that this is a simplistic model, and that there could be other
legitimate economic factors driving the flows out of California to the PNW
(e.g., transmission costs). And again, I also realize that economics may not
have traditionally been a driver in the industry. But I thought it might be
useful to get a common framework in place as a starting point for the
question that Jim asks.
With that, I'll pose the question (understanding the simplicity of the model
set forth above): Given that California sends power north--even if the PNW
is long---how can California closing it doors not increase the PNW's cost of
power?
Best,
Jeff
James D Steffes
02/28/2001 08:05 AM
To: Alan Comnes/PDX/ECT@ECT
cc: Jeff Dasovich/NA/Enron@Enron, Mary Hain/HOU/ECT@ECT, Steve
Walton/HOU/ECT@ECT, Susan J Mara/NA/Enron@Enron
Subject: Re: Cost of Protectionism
It seems to me that this information leads one to conclude that the value of
an open transmission network is that California does not have to build 5,000
MW of power plant (4,500 MW max input + 10%) in state. In other words, if
California were to disconnect from the grid, someone would have to build
additional power plants in-state.
The cost to California consumers is therefore the annual carrying cost of 10
500 MW plants (made even more expensive after California expropriates the
current fleet of merchant generation).
From the perspective of the remainder of the West, the question still remains
- if California does go it alone, what is the economic impact? Other than
legal arguments about Interstate Commerce, why should the Federal Government
want to continue to pursue open acess? This is the hard question that we
need to answer.
Jim
Alan Comnes@ECT
02/27/2001 09:40 PM
To: James D Steffes/NA/Enron@Enron, Jeff Dasovich/NA/Enron@Enron
cc: Susan J Mara/NA/Enron@ENRON, Steve Walton/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mary
Hain/HOU/ECT@ECT
Subject: Cost of Protectionism
Jim, Jeff:
Jim asked me in a voice mail what would be the cost to California of moving
from the current (evolving) system of open access to a "protectionist"
environment where access to the grid would be determined by a political body
responding to populist pressures.
Here are some things to consider. We can talk more and I welcome Sue Mara or
Steve Walton's input:
California is a net importer so any restraint of trade would risk the state
being able to meet its own demand. See attached slides that show PNW-CA
trade. Even in the winter, power on a net basis flows south.
Limiting open access would primarily act to hold in-state generators hostage.
this will kill incentives for new investment
If the ISO's proposal for market power mitigation are any guide of where a
protectionist ISO would go:
in-state generators would be required to sell forward or lose their market
based rate certificates
load serving entities would be required to contract forward for load and a
reserve margin.
This is costly: it will lead to centralized planning solutions to
reliability rather than more efficient market outcomes
Artifical notions of "just and reasonable" rates (on top of unreasonable
reserve requirements) would lead to severe reliability problems. (In other
words, if Steve Peace has his way, the imports into the state will drop
off signficanly)
There is no reason the state would be more effective at expanding the grid
(e.g., Path 15) than the current system. (Although, admittedly the current
system has flaws. The CAISO was set up with little thought to transmission
expansion planning. Other RTOs are not repeating this mistake.).
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Start Date: 4/14/01; HourAhead hour: 22; No ancillary schedules awarded.
Variances detected.
Variances detected in Load schedule.
LOG MESSAGES:
PARSING FILE -->> O:\Portland\WestDesk\California Scheduling\ISO Final
Schedules\2001041422.txt
---- Load Schedule ----
$$$ Variance found in table tblLoads.
Details: (Hour: 22 / Preferred: 10.89 / Final: 7.89)
TRANS_TYPE: FINAL
LOAD_ID: SCE1
MKT_TYPE: 2
TRANS_DATE: 4/14/01
SC_ID: EPMI
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
You received this e-mail because you registered on the E*TRADE Web site, or
on one of our partners' sites. If you do not want to receive partner e-mail
offers, or any E*TRADE marketing e-mail, you can change your preferences now.
You are subscribed at: [email protected]
?
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
E*TRADE Partner Offers?
Special Offers for Empowered Investors?
Dear larry,
?
Dell
Dell
Intel
Dellhost.com
Dedicated
Shared
Servers
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]Enhanced
dedicated hosting
Starting at
$549/month.
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]Shared
website hosting
Starting at
$17.95/month
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]Dell(tm) PowerEdge(tm)
300 Servers
Starting at
only $999!
[IMAGE]
Pricing, specifications and availability may change without notice. Taxes and
shipping charges are extra, and vary. U.S. only. Dell, the Dell logo,
DellHost and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation. The Intel
Inside Pentium III Processor logo is a registered trademark of Intel
Corporation.
Copyright 2000 Dell Computer Corporation. U.S. only.
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
E*TRADE and the E*TRADE logo are registered trademarks of E*TRADE Group,
Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the
property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
?
Although we are sending this e-mail to you, E*TRADE is not responsible for
the advertisers' content and makes no warranties or guarantees about the
products or services advertised. E*TRADE takes your privacy seriously. To
learn more about E*TRADE's use of personal information, please read our
Privacy Policy. If you do not want to receive further mailings from E*TRADE,
unsubscribe now. If you have previously unsubscribed from E*TRADE's e-mail
list, but have received this mailing, please note that it takes approximately
five business days to process your request.
[IMAGE]
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Visit their website at: www.vintageestate.com
Monday, November 20, I have scheduled the following appointments:
Beginning at 4 pm:
Deb - facial, then massage
Sara- massage, then facial
Steve- massage, then !!!!!!!!!!!!
Villagio does not have reflexology. I didn't know if Steve wanted a facial
(but if he does, there is no one to do the facial at 5!)
Seriously, check their website for other services for Steve (and you). I was
only trying to time all of our services together, but that may not be
entirely necessary.
I don't know what time dinner is on Monday but I'm assuming it is late enough
to allow us to change clothes and shower (and wash hair if we feel like it).
The spa has lot's of availability earler in the day and on Sunday. So we can
make changes. This is particularly important since all changes must be made
within 24 hours of the service or it gets charged to my credit card. And I
really hate unnecessary charges.
On a slightly different note, I am compiling places I'd like to visit since
we have no itinerary. Then we can have a tribal meeting to vote. Big Tiger
Feather has changed his plans to stay until Tuesday so we'll have two cars.
Bye now! Love, Sas (the future Miss America over FFFFFFFFFFFFF)
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Got your note. It's a little premature to forecast now - we will have a better idea by April 15 - our timeline for completing our look at a revenue model. Can we delay until then? We do have a monthly fee of $16,000 that we are receiving from Bridgeline that, while small, you could include in our revenue line to date. I am not sure why it is not showing up as income. Probably because we have been considered a cost center to date. I suspect that the income is simply being recorded as an offset to one of our cost centers. By copy of this memo to Brian Heinrich, could you and he figure out where that income is and classify it appropriately so that it shows as revenue? Since our costs are fully allocated to business units, this should be pure margin. Hey, you have to start somewhere!
I have a lunch meeting scheduled with Greg Piper on Friday this week. One of the items that I want to discuss with him is how we want to treat expenses that we are incurring while researching the feasibility of this business. I don't have an answer for you today on what if any costs will not be allocated to the business units. Next week I can give you more info on that.
From: Kerry Roper/ENRON@enronXgate on 04/03/2001 01:55 PM
To: Sally Beck/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Forecast for 2001
Sally,
One of the things that Greg Piper has asked me to do is to take a look at the rest of the year and get each of the VP's to assess their margins and EBIT for the remainder of 2001. For Energy Operations, that is usually very easy since there has been no revenues, and all of the costs are allocated out, so there should be zero EBIT if nothing changed. Given your present direction, however, you may be generating some margin in 2001. Do you have a feel for an amount I can put into our analysis and will 100% of your costs continue to be billed out or will some be applied to this new activity? I am hoping to put something together next week, so if you or a designate could let me know in a few days I would appreciate it.
Kerry Roper (x5-4895)
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Rick,
I have just looked at the memo regarding promotions.
Congratulations - well deserved.
Vince
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I have volunteered for Nov 3/4.
Mark E Haedicke
10/25/2000 09:21 AM
To: Alan Aronowitz/HOU/ECT@ECT, Barbara N Gray/HOU/ECT@ECT, Jeffrey T
Hodge/HOU/ECT@ECT, Lance Schuler-Legal/HOU/ECT@ECT, Travis
McCullough/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mark Taylor/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sheila Tweed/HOU/ECT@ECT,
Richard B Sanders/HOU/ECT@ECT, Elizabeth Sager/HOU/ECT@ECT, Julia
Murray/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Associate/Analyst Super Saturday Participation - ADDITIONAL REQUEST
Please see if you and/or AGC's in your respective groups can make time to
participate. I have always found it to be a very rewarding experience. Let
me know. Mark
----- Forwarded by Mark E Haedicke/HOU/ECT on 10/25/2000 09:17 AM -----
Shelly Jones, Recruiting Manager@ENRON
Sent by: Enron Announcements@ENRON
10/24/2000 09:12 PM
To: ENA Employees
cc:
Subject: Associate/Analyst Super Saturday Participation - ADDITIONAL REQUEST
ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWER PARTICIPATION IS REQUESTED FOR OCTOBER 28 & NOVEMBER
4.
Also, please note the school/date changes (in red). This change was
necessary due to the number of candidates participating in Super Saturday.
If you have a change in your participation as a result of the date change,
please contact John Harrison, ext. 3-7811 for revisions.
Thank you
Shelly Jones
******************************************************************************
*************************************************
Enron Managing Directors, Vice Presidents, Directors, and Managers Who
Utilize the Associate/Analyst Pool
As a follow up from a "SAVE THE DATE" email regarding your participation in
the Associate and Analyst Super Saturday process, now is the time to select
your dates to attend and participate.
Below are the dates for Super Saturday weekends during the upcoming
recruiting season. If you are Houston-based or if you know you will be in
Houston on business at the appropriate times please click the link below to
volunteer.
http://axis.enron.com/notice/ssinvite.asp
(When selecting dates please avoid selecting to interview candidates who
attend the schools for which you are a team member.)
Associates Analysts
October 27-28, 2000 November 3-4
Thunderbird, UT, Georgetown, Rice Rice, UT, Baylor, A&M, OU, Florida, LSU,
UHCL
November 10-11, 2000 November, 17-18, 2000
Columbia, Stern NYU, UCLA, Darden, Cornell Penn, UVA, Vanderbilt, Michigan,
Howard, AUC,
Vanderbilt, Michigan UHMain and Clear Lake, LSU
December, 1-2, 2000 December 8-9, 20000
Chicago, Kellogg, Harvard, Wharton, MIT Wellesley, overflow and re-schedules
from previous s/s
-
Friday, December 15, 2000
Carnegie Mellon
Yale off-cycle candidates
Thank you for your support of the Associate and Analyst Programs.
Shelly Jones
Recruiting Manager
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
see quality takes time... that is why my email was slightly delayed :)
Cara
-----Original Message-----
From: Schoolcraft, Darrell
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 2:01 PM
To: Vaughan, Cara
Subject: RE: MOPS Update
Great job.....
Thanks
-----Original Message-----
From: Vaughan, Cara
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 1:49 PM
To: Blair, Lynn; Buchanan, John; Kowalke, Terry; Schoolcraft, Darrell; '[email protected]'; Barry, Patrick; Blair, Jean; Bryan, Randy; Callans, Nancy; Carr, James; Clapper, Karen; Perry, Renee; Porter, Diana; Walden, Shirley; Washington, Kathy; Wilkens, Jerry; Benningfield, Robert; Forbish, Sherry; Greaney, Chris; Hibbard, Scott; Janzen, Randy; Linhart, Joe; McDaniel, Janet; Scurlock, Debra; Sturr, Kathy; Vaughan, Cara; Woodson, Harry
Subject: MOPS Update
The South Central Team has been fielding several calls from customers regarding the status of MOPS, Cara and Chris were invited to conference with the Tivoli Area and the crew working on the leak.
The latest information as of 11:00 am Wednesday 2/13/02 is as follows:
Operations:
The earliest the MOPS system will be unavailable this Saturday 2/16/02 ( best estimate )
The diving crew has located the exact source of the leak, and they are continuing repairs. Right now the weather condition's look favorable and the forecast predicts that the good conditions should continue. The leak is located 160 feet below the surface which presents complications no matter the weather conditions.
At least one member of the South Central Team will listen in on the daily conference call (11:00 am Central Time) and will keep everyone updated; this should help improve the accuracy and timeliness of our information.
Scheduling:
Darrell will set the operational capacity to 0 through the 18th on the delivery locations. If the MOPS system come back on before that time the operational capacities can be brought up. This information is available on the bulletin board.
Remember to post as a FORCE MAJEURE on the allocations. If receipt points (ex:platform 762) update the point and their deliveries will be cut.
Some customers have been calling and inquiring if they should nom. gas in the MOPS system. Noming gas is at the shippers discretion, as long as the system is down we will continue to confirm their gas to 0 and allocated the delivery points. Please direct them to the bulletin board. It is ok to let them know of our timeline, please stress that this is an estimate. If you are not comfortable answering any question, please direct them to myself (5-2871), Chris (3-4826) Sherry (3-3063), or Bob Burleson (713-287-1049)
We will keep up updated as the MOPS situation continues. Cara will be on comp days Thurs and Friday-- Chris and Sherry will cover my desk and MOPS in my absence.
Thanks,
Cara and Chris
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
When: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 1:30 PM-2:30 PM (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US &
Canada).
Where: 2945
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This meeting is set up on behalf of Shari Mao.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I go back for more tests this afternoon.
From: Suzanne Adams@ECT on 06/05/2001 09:42 AM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: Tuesday
What did the doc say? Are you ok?
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Ron,
Please add the following book to Tagg:
IM-CENT-MID2
If you need any additional information, please call. Thanks.
DG 3-9573
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Vince,
Two candidates for your review. Please call me.
?
Paul Johnson, CPC
President
(281) 497-8595
?
Please visit our website
? www.austingrp.com
- Wood, Shelly.doc
- JPBresume2.doc
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Thanks for the heads up.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Please disregard if you are not taking electives in the spring semester.
***************************************************
We have reviewed TeleBEARS enrollments from last week's deadline and
corrected your schedule in TeleBEARS to reflect the courses that you are
now registered for. Please check TeleBEARS to confirm your schedule and
review wait lists below.
So what's next?
1. CHECK InfoBEARS to see what you got into. You can call 510-642-9400
or go to bearlink.berkeley.edu and use your SID and PIN to review your
schedule. You can call any time of day. Use TeleBEARS for changes.
2. DROP the extra "back-ups" that you don't need by November 19
(Friday). Use TeleBEARS (510-642-3400), or call the Drop Hotline with
the course control numbers of the course(s) you want to drop at
510-642-3535. Both options open 7-8 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight, Monday
through Friday.
3. ADD extra classes if you like, by November 19 (Friday). You must use
TeleBEARS during open hours to add a class. Call 510-642-3400 or go to
bearlink.berkeley.edu 7-8 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight, Monday through
Friday.
4. We will confirm your schedule by the middle of next week. Course
materials will be ordered for you based on your November 19 enrollment.
We have not completed registration for one-unit classes. I will be
finalizing those enrollments this week. If you are depending on those
units, be sure to sign up for a back-up just in case you don't get in to
all of the one-unit courses you requested.
As always, please call or e-mail us if you have questions.
Oversubscribed Class Wait Lists
(As of Friday, November 12)
Below are the wait lists for classes that were oversubscribed. To see if
you got into the class, check InfoBEARS. Note: you are not listed below
if you were not registered by the November 12 deadline listed in the
registration materials. Remember, the TeleBEARS wait list number is
incorrect. Positions on the wait lists are determined by seniority-which
we cannot adjust in TeleBEARS.
We are in the process of adding some of you to wait lists in TeleBEARS.
If you are not listed there but are listed below, don't worry. The lists
below are accurate.
E222: Financial Info Analysis
1 GATES, KIMBERLY
2 REILLY, KEVIN
3 ZHANG, LEI
4 KING, MICHAEL
5 LUCAS, NADINE
6 JOSHI, SUHAS
7 LIU, MICHAEL
8 SPARKS, JEREMY
9 CRAIB, BETSY
10 MOTOLA, ALEXANDER
11 KUNDU, SUMIT
12 TATLOW, KEVIN
13 GOMEZ, STEVEN
14 TAKETA, DAWN
15 MYERS, DAVID
16 BOURDON, GARY
E259-2: Leading Change
1 HOFFMAN, LAURA
2 MYERS, DAVID
3 ROY, INDRAJIT
4 SINHA, PRAKASH
5 LUCAS, NADINE
6 IDNANI, NARESH
7 BRAUN, RUSSELL
8 STACY, ANGELA
9 ALLAVARPU, SAI
10 JOSHI, SUHAS
11 REDDY, JAYARAMI
12 WINCKLER, SONJA
13 GORDON, JUSTIN
14 KAZI, AIAZ
15 SAMA, ANIL
16 YARAK, JOSEPH
E262B: New Venture Finance
1 PIESCO, CHRISTINE
2 MAZZARA, GWENDALINE
E296-3: Foundations of E-Business
1 FONTANA, MARCELLO
2 SAMA, ANIL
3 KAZI, AIAZ
4 DASOVICH, JEFFREY
E296-7: New Venture Finance
1 PIESCO, CHRISTINE
2 ANAND, VINAY
3 LAKHANI, VINOD
4 NUCCI, JAMES
5 GOMEZ, STEVEN
6 MALTZ, JEFFREY
7 PATEL, SANGITA
8 RAMARAO, RAVIKUMAR
9 DREESSEN, DAVID
10 TRAN, HUE
11 NUGEHALLY, MEGHAMALA
12 MURDTER, NALINI
13 CLAY, DOUGLAS
14 MOTOLA, ALEXANDER
These wait list numbers OVERRIDE the wait list numbers given out by
TeleBEARS.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I am currently in the process of updating the actuals for May. At this stage
in the process the only material changes would be the Nepco reimbursable
portion of the report. As some of you know Jody Pierce and Theresa Vos
performed a review of actuals to date. Hence, I have been waiting for a
revised invoices that would true-up actuals and forecast for the projects,
before updating the projects reports. As of today, I still have not received
Invoices and therefore the May cash curve forecasted payment was not made.
As I am currently going though the month end close process I am having to
update the report. I should have updates by early next week. If you have
any questions, please call. Thanks Amy 3-7805
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
01/17/02 FINANCIAL STATUS FOR 01/17/02 11:44 PAGE 2
ACCOUNT: 40781075 ENRON CORP-ECT CASH SVC
30201745436 SAME DAY DR TRANSFER 272,760.00
GID:LCT20170907200
FED20020117B1Q8024C002368
USER REF:TWS000379039
REF: TWS000379039
ORDER: ENA CASH SERVICES
CR BK ID: 021000021
CR BK: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK FORMERLY CHASE
MANHATTAN BANK,N.A NEW YORK, NY 10004
BENEF: 323009980 ENTERGY KOCH TRADING LP
DETAILS:PREPAY FOR JANUARY POWER
INSTRUCT DATE:01/17/02 ADVICE TYPE:MAIL
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Start Date: 2/1/02; HourAhead hour: 11; No ancillary schedules awarded. No variances detected.
LOG MESSAGES:
PARSING FILE -->> O:\Portland\WestDesk\California Scheduling\ISO Final Schedules\2002020111.txt
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
All,
It has been my pleasure to work with you all in my wonderful years at Enron. I will be leaving Enron today. I wish you all continued success. Please feel free to contact me at the following email address:
[email protected]
Sincerely,
Ken
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Samer,
I am glad this problem has been taken care of.
Hope everything is going well for you.
I shall get in touch with you before coming to New York City.
Happy Holidays an the best of luck.
Vince
Shirley Crenshaw
12/11/2000 08:13 AM
To: Vince J Kaminski/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Message from Samer Takriti
Vince:
Samer asked me to forward this to you (he was using the wrong email address).
I will forward him the correct address.
Shirley
---------------------- Forwarded by Shirley Crenshaw/HOU/ECT on 12/11/2000
08:11 AM ---------------------------
"Samer Takriti" <[email protected]> on 12/08/2000 10:01:49 AM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject:
Shirley,
My message to Vince keeps coming back. Could you please forward it to him?
Thanks.
-Samer
---------------------- Forwarded by Samer Takriti/Watson/IBM on 12/08/2000
11:01 AM ---------------------------
Delivery Failure Report
Your
document:
was not [email protected]
delivered to
:
because: 550 5.1.1 <[email protected]>... User unknown
________________________
To:
cc:
From:
Date: 12/07/2000 05:52:45 PM
Subject:
Vince,
How are you? I apologize for not contacting you earlier. We bought a small
house and it is consuming all of our time. We also adopted a little puppy
which proved to be a lots of work. Believe it or not, I have not had the
chance to visit NY city yet (I was there once briefly to drive to the
airport).
I just received the check for the airline ticket. Thank you for taking care
of this issue quickly. Shirley was, once again, superb. Take care. Hope you
have great holidays. If you happen to be in the NY area, please let me
know. Perhaps we can have lunch or a drink together.
-Samer
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Contact Steve Walton
Eric Hirst <[email protected]>
11/10/2000 10:03 AM
To: [email protected] (Steve Kean)
cc:
Subject: Outline for Project on Real-Time Markets
Dear Steve,
Once again, I call on you for advice. Who, within Enron, should I talk with
about a new project I am working on, related to real-time balancing
operations and markets (all the messy stuff that causes so many problems
within all the existing ISOs)?
Here is the outline for the project. Can you send me your suggestions on
revising the outline, other people at Enron (and elsewhere) to contact
related to these markets, and written materials on how the various ISO
markets operate.
Thanks.
Eric
----------------
ISSUES TO DISCUSS FOR PROJECT ON:
REAL-TIME BALANCING OPERATIONS AND MARKETS
November 6, 2000
1. Introduction: Importance of real-time operations and markets
Essential for reliability, especially security
Basis for all forward contracts (hour- and day-ahead, block monthlies,
bilaterals)
Real-time prices motivate generation-capacity decisions: new construction,
repowering, retirements
Ensure equitable treatment for &new8 intermittent and distributed resources
2. Physical Requirements and Operations
Balance generation to load in near-real time (intrahour)
Normal conditions (frequency response, CPS1, CPS2)
Contingency conditions (DCS)
In neither case is it necessary for generation to exactly balance load over
short time periods (e.g., 10 minutes), but must balance energy over longer
intervals
Benefits of aggregation
Performance and characteristics of individual generation and load resources:
random fluctuations, energy level, ramp rate, acceleration rate, startup
time, minimum run time, block loading, energy-limited characteristics of
hydro units, etc
Control-area balance vs individual-schedule balance, good vs bad inadvertent
interchange
NERC and FERC requirements
3. Operations with Vertically Integrated Utilities
Unit commitment
Economic dispatch
Regulation
Contingency reserves
Control area forecasts of loads and resources, effects of forecasts on unit
commitment and dispatch
Treatment of (payments and penalties for) energy imbalance and inadvertent
interchange
4. RTO Operations and Markets
Generation not owned by RTO, RTO must purchase outputs from generation and
load resources
Relationship between real-time operations and markets, how are resources
dispatched (and by whom) and how are they compensated
Time interval (1, 5, 10, or 15 minutes) for dispatch and price setting; what
are the tradeoffs in choosing among these intervals
Single market-clearing price in each interval vs pay-as-bid for each resource
Pay for energy only or pay also for maneuverability (e.g., ramp and
acceleration rates); how do resource constraints determine which resources
are permitted to set the market-clearing price and which aren't, and why?
Set prices ex ante or ex post? If prices set ex ante, what is the basis for
the value?
Should unit commitment (resource scheduling) be done by individual suppliers,
by RTO, or both?
Relationship between real-time markets and ICAP and RMR requirements, and RTO
requirements to ICAP and RMR units to bid resources into real-time market
Treatment of exports and imports, rules governing interchange scheduling
(number of schedule changes per hour permitted, ramp rates for schedule
changes)
To what extent does the RTO make short-term forecasts of load and generation,
how far into the future (10 minutes to 24 hours), how does the RTO use these
forecasts? Should the RTO commit and dispatch resources on the basis of
expected future conditions (i.e., beyond the current and next interval)? Who
pays for these RTO decisions?
Should RTO publish prices and let demand and supply respond to the price
signal, or should RTO dispatch resources up and down based on supplier bids?
If the RTO explicitly dispatches resources, should uninstructed deviations be
treated differently, in terms of payment or penalties, from instructed
deviations? What about a resource,s failure to follow instructions?
Under what circumstances should RTO go &out-of-market8 for resources? What
should set the price of (payment to) these resources?
Under what conditions, if any, are penalties appropriate, for what kinds of
behavior, what determines the magnitude of the penalty? Should penalties
apply to generation only or to loads also?
How, if at all, should capacity assigned to ancillary services (especially
the reserve services) be incorporated into real-time operations and markets?
For example, should the capacity assigned to contingency reserves be set
aside and used only when a major outage occurs? Or should such reserves be
used routinely whenever it is economic to do so, as long as sufficient
capacity is available to meet the NERC reserve requirements?
How should intermittent resources (e.g., wind) be treated in real-time
operations and markets? Should they be treated any differently from a large,
volatile load?
Can retail loads participate in real-time markets? How?
5. Case Studies of U.S. ISOs
California
PJM, New York, and New England
ERCOT
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
Key features of operations and markets
What works
What are the options
What problems still remain
----------------------------------------------
Eric Hirst
Consulting in Electric-Industry Restructuring
106 Capital Circle
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
865-482-5470 (phone & fax) [email protected]
http://www.EHirst.com/
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Got plans for lunch on Wed. sep. 27th? I'll be down and eager to chat. DF
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
UserName: CAMPB54792
You have an electronic trade confirmation in your Inbox. To retrieve your
trade confirmation you may login to Datek Online and choose Document Delivery
from the Account Services menu, or you may click on the link below:
https://tumble2.datek.com/posta?x=1-5322252-5299016-SBY2HN89
You have received this message because you subscribed to electronic delivery
for your Datek Online account. If you wish to stop receiving account
documents via electronic delivery, you may cancel your subscription by
logging into Datek Online and choosing "Settings" from the
Account Services menu.
For more information please call Customer Support at 1-888-U2-DATEK, or send
email to [email protected].
Thank you for trading with us.
Datek Online Brokerage Services
Member NASD / SIPC
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I haven't looked at this yet...
Kay
---------------------- Forwarded by Kay Mann/Corp/Enron on 10/16/2000 01:51
PM ---------------------------
From: Gregg Penman 10/16/2000 11:48 AM
To: Kay Mann/Corp/Enron@Enron
cc:
Subject: FW: Form of Note for enovate, L.L.C.
Kay - John Nassos prepared the following form of promissory note for loans to
enovate. Can this substitute for Bracewell's promisorry note? Let me know
what you think.
Thanks,
Gregg
---------------------- Forwarded by Gregg Penman/Corp/Enron on 10/16/2000
11:45 AM ---------------------------
[email protected] on 10/16/2000 10:18:38 AM
To: [email protected], [email protected]
cc:
Subject: FW: Form of Note for enovate, L.L.C.
FYI and comments. The attached would be issued for funding short-term needs
of enovate. Thanks
JAB
> ----------
> From: Nassos, John G.
> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 10:15 AM
> To: Burns, Jim
> Subject: Form of Note for enovate, L.L.C.
>
> Attached pursuant to your request is a form of promissory note for member
> loans to enovate, L.L.C. Of course, Enron needs to review it and approve
> of the form as well. As we discussed, the note is set up as a demand note
> that does not bear interest.
>
> Please call if you have any questions (ext. 4413).
>
> <<Promissory Notes - shell.doc>>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------
The information transmitted is intended only for the person
or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential
and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the
intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please
contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.
- Promissory Notes - shell.doc
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
EBS Government Affairs Website Launched Today!
I am happy to announce that the EBS Government Affairs Website was launched
today. The site contains a wealth of information pertaining to the issues
and projects that Sue Nord and her team are currently working on.
The site is located in the "Communities" section of the EBS intranet page,
called wEBSource. You can access the website by using this link:
http://websource.enron.net/intranet/intranet.nsf/website/governmentaffairs.
You may want to bookmark the site so you can access it easily in the future.
Please visit the site when you have some time and feel free to send comments
or questions to me.
Thanks very much.
Margo Reyna
Regulatory Analyst
Enron Corp., Government Affairs
Phone: 713-853-9191
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Presidential:
Bush: 271 Electoral College votes (includes FL)
Gore: 260 Electoral College votes (includes WI)
Uncalled: Oregon 7 Electoral College votes
Senate:
Republicans: 51 (net loss of 3, includes Gorton of WA as a winner due to
absentees)
Democrats: 49
Open seats switching parties: FL open R to Democrat Nelson, NV open D to
Republican Ensign
Incumbents defeated: Republicans - Roth, Grams, Ashcroft, Abraham; Democrat
Robb
House:
Republicans: 222 (a net loss of 2)
Democrats: 213 (includes NJ 12 which has not been called)
Open seats switched Republican to Democrat - OK 2, NY 2, UT 2, CA 31, CA 15,
WA 2
Open seats switched Democrat to Republican - MI 8, PA 4, VA 2, MO 6, WV 2
Incumbents defeated: Republicans - Bilbray, Rogan, Dickey, Kuykendall;
Democrats Forbes, Gejdenson, Minge
Governor:
Republicans 29 (loss of WV)
Democrats 19 (gain of WV)
Independents 2
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Li,
I shall take care of it Thursday.
Please, call me at the end of the day.
Vince
Li Xiao@ENRON
06/27/2000 11:31 AM
To: Vince J Kaminski/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: loan recommendation form
Hi, Vince,
I was told by Molly that she hasn't received the recommendation form from you
yet.
Since I got admission late from the school, now I am short of time of getting
I-20 which needs loan approval,
and getting visa status transferred (from H-1 to F-1) which requires I-20 and
loan approval
and normally takes around 45 days through INS (Immigration Naturalization
Service).
Now, I am trying to push every step to speed up the process in order to
catch up the school opening at beginning of Sept.
I know I just told you this late last week. Nevertheless, I am writing to see
if you can squeeze some time to finish the recommendation form anytime soon.
It will be a big help.
Thank you very much, Vince.
Have a good day.
Sincerely,
Li x39635
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
---------------------- Forwarded by Matthew Lenhart/HOU/ECT on 07/05/2000
04:43 PM ---------------------------
TIM HEIZENRADER
07/05/2000 03:18 PM
To: Matthew Lenhart/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Re:
We've never used the CEMS data, so I don't know anything about its level of
accuracy. As far as use of the WSCC data goes, I noticed that you've got
table entries and are showing '0' values for a lot of plants that have never
reported reliably, such as Hermiston, Gadsby, Priest Rapids, Wanapum, etc.--
I'd leave those out until we see some plausible data reported. Also, we don't
use data from plants where better numbers are available from other sources,
e.g. most Pacific Northwest federal hydro.
Also, are you doing anything to filter out bad hours? There are intermittent
periods where series of zeros or series of identical readings are erroneously
reported due to telemetry failures. If you're computing totals or averages
from the WSCC data that are consistently smaller than known, accurate
reports, then this might be the cause.
Tim
Matthew Lenhart
07/05/2000 01:59 PM
To: Tim Belden/HOU/ECT@ECT, Tim Heizenrader/PDX/ECT@ECT, Cooper
Richey/PDX/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject:
Enclosed is a copy of the generation reports we put together using your
generation database. Please look them over and make sure that they are in
the correct order an make sense. Some of the monthly averages in the report
do not match the CEMS database number. I wanted to know if I should fill in
the historicals with the CEMS numbers or keep these. If you could just look
these over and let me know if they make sense I would appriciate it.
Matt Lenhart
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I think this is yours.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kenne, Dawn C.
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 4:56 PM
To: Keiser, Kam; Palmer, B. Scott
Cc: Meredith, Kevin; Walker, Chris
Subject: US Canadian Products
Kam and Scott,
Here is a list of Canadian products that were traded out of our office. I think this is all of them. Please fill out the book and trader name.
Thanks,
DAwn
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Dear U2 Fan,
The new U2 album All That You Can?t Leave Behind has landed.
October 25th - Japan
October 27th - Ireland
October 30th - UK, Rest of World
October 31st USA
Best wishes
u2.com
www.U2.com is powered by WorldOnline.com
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Taffy:
Could you please schedule a meeting for next week for our entire group
(including Jason Peters) for 11/2 hours to go over changes that need to be
made to our forms? It might be nice given the amount of time to schedule
around the lunch hour and order lunch. Thanks.
Carol
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
See if this works...
----- Forwarded by Tana Jones/HOU/ECT on 12/05/2000 10:48 AM -----
Michael Neves
05/10/2000 01:12 PM
To: Tana Jones/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Financial Trading Agreements - db link
Click on the following link to add the 'Financial Trading Agreements'
database to your Notes Workspace:
Link -->
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Team
FYI
Sheri
The 3 SME's that have already committed to being on film need to be keep in the lope regarding the timeline. Also check with these 2 SME's for additional candidates (i.e. check with Mark Reese to see if Lamar Frazier would be interested). I would like to be conferenced in on the media calls & meetings. Also cc me on their emails or forward to me their emails. This will keep me in the loop. Thanks
Phillip
If you have some additional people in mind, we need them identified as soon as possible. Thanks
Cheers
Kirk
---------------------- Forwarded by Kirk McDaniel/HOU/EES on 11/27/2001 10:04 AM ---------------------------
[email protected] on 11/27/2001 09:09:46 AM
To: [email protected]
cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Updates to our Video Production Timeframes and Scope
Kirk -
Thank you for helping us work towards sign-off from Enron Legal. Seeing as
you haven't been closely involved, I thought you'd like an update on our
media production tasks.
As you know, we are completing our planning phase for the production of the
storyline scripts. Our media vendor, Cramer, has been extremely helpful and
enjoyable to work with. Below is an email from Steve, the director for our
storyline video, explaining where we are in the production process.
Have a good day!
Sheri A. Righi
Accenture
Human Performance Service Line
Hartford - One Financial Plaza
Direct Dial: 860 756 2245
VPN & Octel: 765 2245
e-mail: [email protected]
----- Forwarded by Sheri A. Righi/Internal/Accenture on 11/27/2001 09:05 AM
-----
Steve Johnson
<[email protected] To: Sheri A. Righi/Internal/Accenture@Accenture
m> cc: Chris Ciotoli <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Updates to our Video Production Timeframes and Scope
11/26/2001 11:27 AM
Hey Sheri,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's over
already! Anyway...we've shuffled the schedule around, securing the 6th and
7th of
December for the shoot in the studio. We're working on finalizing the
edit dates to reflect that shift. Chris is moving to hold all talent for
those dates.
I guess it's now in the hands of legal! As soon as we confirm the edit
suite
availability
we'll revise and post the new schedule. We're scheduled for our weekly call
tomorrow but if
anything comes up just give me a buzz!
Thanks Sheri!
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 1:42 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
Subject: Updates to our Video Production Timeframes and Scope
Hello Steve and Chris -
Recently, there were changes to the overall number of our scenarios in our
simulation. There will be seven scenarios versus the nine we have been
discussing. These changes result in:
Deletion of 2 intro and 2 exit videos
Deletion of six interview questions (see more detail below)
No additional characters. We will still need all characters (and
talent) that we have casted for.
Laura has been working with John to make the required edits to the scripts.
We have recieved today (mid-day).
Based on our last discussion, I'd like to recommend we set the date for our
shoot for the end of the first week in Dec. Specifically, Dec. 6th and 7th.
This recommendation is based on the response I received from our project
manager in regards to the time it will take to have Legal review our
scripts.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you and have a
wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sheri A. Righi
Accenture
Human Performance Service Line
Hartford - One Financial Plaza
Direct Dial: 860 756 2245
VPN & Octel: 765 2245
e-mail: [email protected]
----- Forwarded by Sheri A. Righi/Internal/Accenture on 11/21/2001 01:30 PM
-----
Laura A. de la Torre
To: Mery L.
Brown/Internal/Accenture@Accenture, Sheri A.
11/20/2001 05:35 PM Righi/Internal/Accenture@Accenture
cc:
Subject: Conversion and
Arbitrage Q&A
These are the changes resulting from omitting conversion and arbitrage
From Scenario 6 Conversion:
-delete Q # 1, 2, 6
-move Q #3 to scenario 5 (power plant) and make the Q be for the financial
trader, Garcia
-move Q #4 and #5 to scenario 9 (storage) and make them be for the
structurer, Chen
From Scenario 7 Arbitrage:
-delete Q #1, 2, 3
-move Q#4 to scenario 9 (storage) and keep it as a Q for the physical
trader (Rick Lee)
Laura de la Torre
Accenture
Resources
Houston, Texas
Direct Dial 713.837.2133
Octel 83 / 72133
This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain
privileged, proprietary, or otherwise private information. If you have
received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the
original. Any other use of the email by you is prohibited.
This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain
privileged, proprietary, or otherwise private information. If you have
received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the
original. Any other use of the email by you is prohibited.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
-----Original Message-----
From: Van Hooser, Steve
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 9:20 AM
To: Koehler, Anne C.; Jones, Tana; McCullough, Travis; Murray, Julia; Sager, Elizabeth; Taylor, Mark E (Legal)
Cc: Korkmas, Deb; Nettelton, Marcus
Subject: Adoption Agreement applicable to ISDA Masters
Importance: High
I have reviewed the attached draft with Anne, Travis and Marcus. For purposes of maintaining consistency between the 3 disciplines, I would appreciate your using the attached for any further ISDA Adoption Agreements you may have. Anne's suggested Item 7 to Scheule B should cut down your due diligence workload appreciably regaring the various places that Affiliate is used in the Master.
The main change from the draft Anne sent out yesterday evening is that it "reinserts" the Schedule C with Credit information.
Please call with any question.
Steve
Steve Van Hooser
Enron North America Corp.
713-853-7238
713-646-3490 (fax)
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Ricki - Jean has been terrific in handling half a dozen emergencies this summer and the move logistics. I would like to give her a gift from the gas logisitics team. Should we send her flowers or do you have any other ideas?
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Colleen has some useful expertise because of her work on the Clifton Machine
Shop project (i.e., setting up a new business entity within the ETS
organization). Tony and Lee have some time if Colleen's plate is full.
Either one of them, relying on Colleen for "best practices" input as needed,
might be a good team. DF
Michael Moran
02/15/2001 08:24 AM
To: Drew Fossum/ET&S/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: Re: ASP
Can you give me your thoughts on who from legal should be involved.
---------------------- Forwarded by Michael Moran/GPGFIN/Enron on 02/15/2001
08:24 AM ---------------------------
Rod Hayslett
02/15/2001 08:12 AM
To: Caroline Barnes/FGT/Enron@ENRON
cc: Michael Moran/ET&S/Enron@ENRON
Subject: Re: ASP
We will also need someone from legal working on the structure/deals.
Mike: Who should we be adding to the group looking at this stuff?
Caroline Barnes
02/14/2001 03:57 PM
To: Rod Hayslett/FGT/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: ASP
I would like to get someone from the Financial Review team involved with this
project as it is getting off the ground on how one would financially
structure such a "business". I do not want this to get too far along without
this type of input so that if and when it is presented for approval all
financial i's and t's have been dotted and crossed. Who would this be in
your group? Thanks...cvb
---------------------- Forwarded by Caroline Barnes/FGT/Enron on 02/14/2001
03:56 PM ---------------------------
Michael Sullivan
02/14/2001 02:57 PM
To: Steve Hotte/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Lisa Sawyer/ET&S/Enron, Mark
Gigliotti/ET&S/Enron, Nick Rahn/GCO/Enron, Elaine Tombaugh/OTS/Enron, Tom B
Sampson/OTS/Enron, Robert Waybright/OTS/Enron, Shashi Patel/FGT/Enron@ENRON,
John Millar/FGT/Enron@Enron, Kelly Strader/ET&S/Enron, Caroline
Barnes/FGT/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: ASP
Attached is beginning information on a recommended ASP scenario. Please
provide input and feedback. Thanks
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I'm available Tuesday also -- just let me know.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Sorry, here's another link: http://www.mexonline.com/todossantos.htm
_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld (www.BlackBerry.net)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
To: Corman, Shelley <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon Feb 04 20:58:39 2002
Subject: Hi
Hi,
I just got a really cool software package that is helping me write and
learn Kazakh. I've attached my first letter.
Lisa and I hope things are going well for you guys.
We're filling out paperwork and getting things notarized almost every day.
And we're getting more excited with each passing document.
How's Alina doing?
Please send us some pictures if you have any.
Love,
Kurt and Lisa
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
washingtonpost.com OnPolitics [IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
Friday, June8, 2001
Clinton's Tax Increase Undone
President Bush rarely mentioned his predecessor as he campaigned for his tax
cut, but the impact of the first major initiative of the Bush era is, in
important ways, to undo the first major initiative of the Clinton era.
More Political News
Pet Programs May Break Budget
Moderates Suddenly Have Bush's Ear
Bush Signs Tax Bill Into Law
Bush's Missile Defense Speedup Plan Weighed
Rumsfeld Seeks NATO Support for Missile Shield
FTC Chief Vows Stability
U.S. Will Resume Talks With North Korea
U.S. Energy Picture Brightening
WWII Contract Awarded
Largent to Resign House Seat
Britain's Blair Reelected
D-Day for Democrats
spacerE-mail Newsletter Services:
??
To sign up for additional newsletters, unsubscribe, or get help, visit the
E-mail Newsletter Center. Or to unsubscribe from this e-mail newsletter,
simply reply with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
??
For feedback, send mail to [email protected].
??
For advertising information, send mail to [email protected].
??
To subscribe to the print edition of The Washington Post newspaper, click
here.
?
, 2001 The Washington Post Company
Privacy Policy
Online Extras
?Tax Bill Signed: Video, Text
Tax Advance Q?
?Text: Daschle and Lott on Senate Floor
?Daschle News Conference: Video, Text
Senate Committee Chairmen
?Post-ABC Poll: Bush and Energy
Live Online
?Friday: Political Insider Live With washingtonpost.com's Babington (1 p.m.
EDT)
?Transcript: Brookings' Thomas Mann on Senate Shift
?Transcript: The Post's Morin and Deane on Post-ABC Poll
More Discussions
Columns
Al Kamen's In the Loop
Stephen Barr's Federal Diary
Judy Sarasohn's Special Interests
Howard Kurtz's Media Notes
Charles Babington's Political Insider
In Session
Shopping/Classifieds
Political Gifts
Government Jobs
?More from Marketplace
? ?
[IMAGE]
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I have created deal 266962 for the volumes at mtr 6757.
What price is Duke reporting for the mtr 5192 volumes? The only activity
we've had out there is payback with Koch.
D
Aimee Lannou 05/09/2000 03:30 PM
To: Daren J Farmer/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc: Fred Boas/HOU/ECT@ECT, Pat Clynes/Corp/Enron@ENRON
Subject: Sarco Lateral and Crow O'Connor Meters
Daren - Have you had a chance to look at this?
- Aimee
---------------------- Forwarded by Aimee Lannou/HOU/ECT on 05/09/2000 03:26
PM ---------------------------
Aimee Lannou 05/04/2000 03:26 PM
To: Daren J Farmer/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc: Fred Boas/HOU/ECT@ECT
Subject: Sarco Lateral and Crow O'Connor Meters
Daren - Can you set up new deals for meter 6757 and 5192?
Meter 6757 Crow O'Connor - Counterparty Duke Energy & Trading
Month Contract Deal #
June 99 ENA 201 87426
July 99 HPL 215 95072
Aug 99 HPL 215 102775
Sept 99 HPL 215 110502
Meter 5192 Sarco Lateral
No deal has ever been set up for meter 5192 for Duke Energy & Trading.
There is flow for May, July and Nov. 99.
Will you please let me know if you set up new deals for these meters?
Thanks.
Aimee
---------------------- Forwarded by Aimee Lannou/HOU/ECT on 05/04/2000 03:17
PM ---------------------------
Fred Boas
05/04/2000 12:08 PM
To: Aimee Lannou/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc: Robert E Lloyd/HOU/ECT@ECT, Howard B Camp/HOU/ECT@ECT
Subject: Sarco Lateral and Crow O'Connor Meters
Aimee:
The Crow O'Connor, meter 6757 has its gas allocated to Strangers Gas for
April and May 1999 and Duke has been calling Settlements asking for their
money. I will need to set up accounting arrangements for this meter for
these months so please provide me the correct transportation contract and
valid deal # for this transaction.
In addition, the Sarco Lateral, meter 5192 has its gas allocated to Strangers
Gas for May and July 1999 and Duke has been calling Settlements asking for
their money. I will need to set up accounting arrangements for this meter
for these months so please provide me the correct transportation contract and
valid deal # for this transaction.
I would like to get this done ASAP since the customer is calling Settlements
and we start close next week.
Thanks,
Fred
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
FYI
-----Original Message-----
From: Schneider, Chip
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 1:00 PM
To: Bartlett, Jeff; Concannon, Ruth; Gray, Barbara N.; Jayne South
(E-mail); Mark Ellenberg (E-mail); McMichael Jr., Ed; Sharp, Greg;
Stephen Youngman (E-mail)
Subject: Today's discussion with Bridgeline
I spoke with Hugh Connett this morning regarding the letter sent to Brdigeline. His comments are as follows:
1. Generally, Hugh is adamant that the proposed offer to sell gas to Bridgeline be solely for the gas and not include any discount component for storage and transportation.
2. He is also firm that we pay for one month of transport and storage to move the gas off-system. He envisions full service under the contracts during this period such that all scheduling and other provisions under the contract are followed as in the normal course of business. The plan would be for us to try to get all of the gas out of storage in month. To the extent that residual gas remains, Bridgeline may be willing to buy it to avoid triggering another month of services under the contracts.
3. Hugh wanted clarification on the segregated account. He wants this concept back in and is not comfortable with any potential lien attachment afforded under Section 7-209 of the Louisiana UCC.
4. Hugh stuck to the issues related to the movement/sale of gas out and storage and did not attempt to link the removal of the gas to rejection of the contracts. As stated above, however, he was very clear on separating the commodity price from the cost of service on the system.
5. He had little to say on withdrawal of the pending motions, but was clear that he wanted to preserve all of his rights.
As pointed out to me by Ruth Concannon, please note that the volumes in today's letter are incorrect and will be corrected in future communication with the company. I did point this out to Hugh and he confirmed Ruth's storage volume of 1,930,552 Dth. He was not able to yet confirm the imbalance gas of 24,390 Dth in ENA's favor. We will be working with Bridgeline over the next few days to finalize the reconciliation.
Conclusion:
1. Basically, Bridgeline is looking for another $650k or so from us to move the gas out of storage.
2. Purchase of the gas is another matter and they would be willing to entertain doing so at an attractive price.
3. They want to preserve all rights relative to any and all claims.
4. They want a segregated account for proceeds in an amount up to their claim.
Discussion:
1. To move this along, we need to consider that 40% of the payments made to Bridgeline (e.g. the $607k + the $650k) accrue to ENA in the partnership. Of the $650k they want, we've basically conceded $145k in our gas pricing structure. Can we justify more from a commercial perspective to bring this to resolution? We may be able to.
2. I need to do more homework with Ed and his team on buyers for gas at the Napoleonville delivery point. What is a reasonable clearing price to expect at this point? Can ENA sell the gas in a month?
3. I need more input from the legal folks on the segregated account matter.
4. Does the triggering of transport capacity under the contract for the first time since bankruptcy add substance to Bridgeline's claims from a legal perspective? Can we agree with them otherwise?
5. Before we consider paying more money, should we consider a turnover action? Under a turnover, would ENA be responsible for the same storage and transport charges that they are requesting? If so, we probably should consider this and the potentially adverse consequences to forcing removal of the gas via these means.
I would like to get back to Bridgeline today or tomorrow. Hugh and Randy will be out for the remainder of the week beginning Wednesday.
Please let me know your thoughts ASAP.
Regards,
Chip Schneider
VP-Enron North America Corp.
Tel: (713) 853-1789
Fax: (713) 646-3059
Cell: (713) 306-1184
Location: ECN711c
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I talked to Peggy and her messages seem to be the same as ours. Call if you
want to discuss.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWPOWER LAUNCHES ONLINE ENERGY SAVING CENTER
Residential Consumers And Small Businesses Can Learn How to Reduce Energy
Usage And Costs; Purchase Full Line Of Energy Efficient Products
PURCHASE, NY, October 29, 2001 ? The New Power Company, the first national
residential and small business energy provider, today announced that it has
launched the Energy Saving Center, a group of online tools to help
residential consumers and small commercial businesses reduce energy usage
and costs. The Energy Saving Center can be found on www.newpower.com
Key elements of the NewPower Energy Saving Center are the Home and Business
Analyzers. These on-line audit tools, which are free to all
www.newpower.com visitors, provide a top-to-bottom analysis of energy
usage, and offer specific recommendations on behavior modification and
products that can save energy. The products can then be purchased through
the Energy Efficient Products On-line Store
The Home Analyzer allows residential consumers to learn how much money
people in homes similar to theirs spend on energy. They can also uncover
specific energy saving opportunities in their own homes. Using the
Business Analyzer, small businesses can choose to analyze one facility or
multiple sites. The tool examines each aspect of a business' energy use
(including which appliances or systems use the most energy), and provides
customized analyses, recommendations, and a means to track their progress.
The NewPower Energy Saving Center is just one way that energy restructuring
is leading to technological innovation and efficiency. Competition among
energy marketers ? like NewPower ? encourages cost savings and new and
better ways to consume electricity and natural gas.
# # #
About NewPower Holdings, Inc.
NewPower Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NPW), through its subsidiary, The New Power
Company, www.newpower.com, is the first national provider of electricity
and natural gas to residential and small commercial customers in the United
States. The Company offers consumers in restructured retail energy markets
competitive energy prices, pricing choices, improved customer service and
other innovative products, services and incentives.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and
may differ materially from actual future events or results. Although we
believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, we can
give no assurance that our goals will be achieved. The Company undertakes
no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ from estimates or projections
contained in the forward-looking statements include our limited operating
history; delays or changes in the rules for the restructuring of the
electric and natural gas markets; our ability to attract and retain
customers; our ability to manage our energy requirements and sell energy at
a sufficient margin given the volatility in prices for electricity and
natural gas; the effect of commodity volatility on collateral requirements
and liquidity; our dependence on third parties to provide critical
functions to us and to our customers; and conditions of the capital markets
affecting the availability of capital. Readers are referred to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2000
and our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333.41412) on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking
statements.
For more information, reporters may contact:
Gael Doar Terri Cohen
Director of Communications Manager of Communications
[email protected] [email protected]
(914) 697-2451 (914) 697-2457
Analysts and investors may contact:
Kathryn Corbally Pat McCoy
Vice President, Investor Relations Manager of Investor Relations
The New Power Company The New Power Company
[email protected] [email protected]
(914) 697-2444 (914) 697-2431
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Physical Bandwidth Delivery Varies Among Market-Makers
Dow Jones Energy Service, 04/12/01
USA: UPDATE 1-U.S. must embrace energy efficiency-report.
Reuters English News Service, 04/12/01
Panel recommends renegotiating pact with Enron
Associated Press Newswires, 04/12/01
USA: Persistent problems chinking Enron's armor.
Reuters English News Service, 04/12/01
USA: Enron says Morgan Point, Tx. MTBE plant has restarted.
Reuters English News Service, 04/12/01
RUSSIA WATCH: Putin Takes Well-Timed Shot At Gazprom
Dow Jones International News, 04/12/01
USA: U.S. must embrace energy efficiency-report.
Reuters English News Service, 04/12/01
INDIA: India state committee suggests Enron re-negotiation.
Reuters English News Service, 04/12/01
Indian Panel Submits Report On Enron Power Dispute
Dow Jones International News, 04/12/01
Indian Panel Proposes Enron, Maharashtra Redo Pact (Update1)
Bloomberg, 04/12/01
Physical Bandwidth Delivery Varies Among Market-Makers
By Erwin Seba
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
04/12/2001
Dow Jones Energy Service
(Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
HOUSTON -(Dow Jones)- Two market-makers in the nascent bandwidth trading
arena describe widely divergent levels of physical delivery to their
customers.
While Enron Corp. (ENE) said almost all of its trades go to physical
delivery, an executive with Aquila Broadband Services, a unit of Utilicorp
United Inc. (UCU), said only 10% of its deals go to physical delivery.
The question of physical delivery is important because analysts and
especially carriers question the accuracy of prices in the bandwidth market.
While none of the critics want to be quoted, they alleged that the bandwidth
market consists only of companies like Enron and Aquila swapping capacity
among themselves, then settling their deals financially without delivering
bandwidth.
Though trading companies disagree on the number of deals going to physical
delivery, they all describe huge growth in the number of transactions they
have done in the first three months of this year.
"In the first quarter of this year, we've well surpassed the number of trades
we did in all of last year," said Shelly Mansfield, director of media
relations for Enron Broadband Services, a unit of Enron. Enron did 321 trades
last year.
Aquila Broadband Services told Dow Jones Newswires that the number of trades
it did in the first quarter this year was more than triple the number it did
all of last year.
In the first quarter, Aquila did 150 to 200 trades, said Sushil Nelson,
senior vice president and general manager. The company did fewer than 50
trades in all of last year.
About 10% of last year's trades required physical delivery of bandwidth,
Nelson said. Only trades done last year would gone to physical delivery in
the first quarter of this year, he said. He expects a lower percentage of
this year's trades to go to physical delivery.
"Right now the bandwidth market is akin to a futures market," Nelson said.
"It's acting like a futures market in that it is pointing where the price
should be."
Market Physical, Not Financial, Enron Says
In contrast, Enron's Mansfield said most of its trades require physical
delivery.
"There isn't a financial market in bandwidth," she said. "There's no index
that can be settled against. Almost all go to delivery. We're definitely in a
physical market."
Aquila traded with 11 counterparties last year and five were other
bandwidth-trading companies, Nelson said. It also traded with three major
carriers and three local loop providers.
In contrast, Enron said that last year it traded with 45 counterparties - 35%
of them U.S. carriers and 33% network service providers. The rest were
marketers, resellers or international companies.
Mansfield declined to provide the number of trades Enron did in the first
three months of this year. The company would give more information next week
when it releases quarterly earnings and performance statistics, she said.
El Paso Corp.'s (EPG) Global Networks declined to say how many of its trades
required physical delivery. A spokesman did say the number of route miles it
has traded in the first quarter tripled over the fourth quarter.
A Williams Communications Group (WCG) spokeswoman would say only that
bandwidth trading is profitable for the company.
Other bandwidth-trading companies were unable to provide information in time
for this report.
-By Erwin Seba, Dow Jones Newswires, 713-547-9214 [email protected]
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA: UPDATE 1-U.S. must embrace energy efficiency-report.
By Matthew Robinson
04/12/2001
Reuters English News Service
(C) Reuters Limited 2001.
NEW YORK, April 12 (Reuters) - The United States must adopt new conservation
measures such as improved vehicle fuel efficiency if it is to ease its energy
supply woes, a new report from an independent task force said on Thursday.
The Bush administration's plan to increase domestic energy supplies is not
enough to tackle a squeeze that has sent gasoline and heating oil costs
soaring and pushed California's power system to the brink of collapse, the
task force organized by the the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the
Baker Institute of Rice University said.
"You can't have a supply side response without also taking into account a
demand side effort, as well as environmental concerns. A compromise will
result not in an inconsistent policy, but rather, is the only way to create a
fully consistent policy," said Edward Morse, chairman of the task force and
executive advisor of Hess Energy Trading Co.
Oil and energy firms such as Royal Dutch/Shell , Chevron , BP Amoco ,Enron ,
Dynergy and Italy's ENI contributed to the task force.
The panel released its findings as the administration's White House Energy
Policy Development Group headed by Vice President Dick Cheney prepares for
final deliberations.
"The report has been presented at the highest levels of government, including
President (George W.) Bush, Vice President Cheney, and (National Security
Adviser) Condoleeza Rice," said Morse.
Despite the Bush administrations concentration on supply side policies, Morse
said that he expects the Cheney energy report "won't look much different,"
than the report presented by the task force.
"The president has to begin educating the public about this reality and start
building a broad base of popular support for the hard policy choices ahead,"
the report says.
U.S TRAILS IN DEMAND MANAGEMENT
"Supply side issues are very important, as is debottlenecking our
infrastructure. But we have to look at demand management practices and fuel
choice - we completely ignored that for more than a decade," said Amy Myers
Jaffe, project director for the task force.
The United States currently guzzles about a quarter of the 80 million barrels
of oil products consumed each day worldwide, and according to the study lags
other industrialized nations in exercising demand-based energy policies.
The Bush administration's energy plan is currently focused on opening up more
domestic land for hydrocarbon drilling, including the currently off-limits
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to make the U.S. less reliant on
foreign imports.
"The United States has trailed other industrialized societies when it comes
to oil-demand management," the report says.
If light truck vehicles such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were required
to have the same fuel efficiency as automobiles, it would shave five percent
off U.S. demand in seven to 10 years, it said.
The federal government could also stimulate development of greener
transportation by purchasing vehicles for its fleet that incorporate nascent
technologies, it added.
Efforts toward the development of energy-efficient technologies would in turn
encourage more efficient worldwide use of oil resources in developing
countries, it said.
With China expected to add more than 150 million automobiles to its fleet
over the next 20 years, increasing the efficiencies of those vehicles would
have global implications for oil demand.
RELIANT ON IMPORTS
Over fifty percent of oil consumed in the United States is imported, and
looks to become dependent on sources outside of North America for significant
volumes of natural gas in the near future.
Growing U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources, means policy makers must
also rethink its foreign policy with an eye toward the Russia, China, and the
Middle East, including backing off some of the sanctions against major
producer Iraq which are deemed less effective, the study says.
In addition, environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions are too
large and too public to be ignored in a comprehensive energy policy.
The study concludes that when it comes to energy, the American people cannot
achieve "both a painless present and a secure future".
"There is no overnight solution - there is no silver bullet," said Jaffe.
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Panel recommends renegotiating pact with Enron
By RAMOLA TALWAR BADAM
Associated Press Writer
04/12/2001
Associated Press Newswires
Copyright 2001. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
BOMBAY, India (AP) - A government-appointed committee recommended
renegotiating a power supply agreement with U.S. energy giant Enron Corp. to
lower prices being charged to a western Indian state.
The panel also called for reform of a state power utility that defaulted on
payments to Enron, which is based in Houston.
A five-member committee prepared the 198-page report which was placed before
legislators in the state assembly on Thursday. The committee was appointed in
February by the Maharashtra government.
The committee was examining the $2.4 billion Dhabol project in Guhagar, 210
miles south of Bombay and India's biggest foreign investment.
State government ministers have been critical of Dabhol Power Co., Enron's
Indian subsidiary, saying the power supplied by the two-year old plant as
"unaffordable."
While some demanded scrapping the project, others asked for renegotiating the
1995 power purchase agreement that covers the rate at which the company sells
electricity to Maharashtra state.
Costs have increased fourfold since 1995 for naphtha-generated electricity
from the project's 740-megawatt plant.
Enron has blamed depreciation of the rupee and the high cost of naphtha used
as fuel in the first phase for the price hike.
A second 1,444-megawatt plant is scheduled to run on liquefied natural gas
later this year.
Three separate state governments have negotiated with the company since the
mid-1990s over pricing.
The five-member committee said it was "troubled" by the "failure of
governance" in matters relating to the project.
The committee suggested that a forum comprising of the federal government,
state government, state power utility and Dabhol Power Co. be involved in
future discussion.
It said the company had shown it was open to renegotiation.
Citing high transmission and distribution losses, the panel said the
Maharashtra State Electricity Board should be reformed.
While the state power utility is currently the sole purchaser of Dabhol's
naphtha generated power, it said other buyers could be found for
LNG-generated power.
The report will be debated in the state assembly before the government takes
a decision.
Last week, Dabhol Power filed an arbitration notice on the federal government
for not paying up outstanding dues. As part of the 1995 agreement, any
dispute between Dabhol and the government can be resolved in the London Court
of Arbitration.
If committees set up by both sides cannot resolve the dispute within 60 days
in India, proceedings will begin in London.
The federal government is bound to pay electricity bills if Maharashtra state
defaults.
Enron invoked that guarantee in February, marking the first time in India's
history that a company invoked a federal guarantee, when the state utility
said it could not afford to pay Dabhol Power.
The state government finally paid $17 million in outstanding bills. Another
$48 million is still due to Enron in overdue bills.
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA: Persistent problems chinking Enron's armor.
By C. Bryson Hull
04/12/2001
Reuters English News Service
(C) Reuters Limited 2001.
HOUSTON, April 12 (Reuters) - The teflon around energy and trading powerhouse
Enron Corp. is starting to show some scratches, as negative events over the
past few months from India to its broadband unit, begin to take their toll,
analysts say.
Make no mistake, Wall Street still sees the Houston-based giant as the energy
convergence sector leader. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial/First Call
still believe Enron will meet its earnings per share targets of $1.75 for
2001.
But the stock has dropped to its lowest levels since late 1999, a slide which
started with news that Enron's keystone broadband content deal with
Blockbuster Inc. had fallen apart.
The stock had traded in the mid-$80s as recently as February, before the
stock market's recent collapse and a string of negative news. On Friday, it
traded at $57.45 on the New York Stock Exchange, down $1.06 cents or 1.8
percent, and well off its high of $90.56 last August.
"Their share price hasn't been bulletproof and that's what counts. They were
up pushing $90 and they're now in the $50s while the energy sector has done
quite well, so they have underperformed quite a bit and that doesn't seem
bulletproof to me," analyst Andre Meade of Commerzbank Securities said.
Meade said the price fall came as investors took the bad news out of Enron's
valuation, particularly in devaluing the broadband business.
"With broadband the market initially gave them full credit. But investors got
smart over the next year, and once you got some bad news out there, you could
argue that valuation was pulled," Meade said.
But the bad news neither starts nor ends there.
The latest negative item came Wednesday, when a California federal judge
ordered Enron to return the University of California and California State
University systems to direct power access, which Enron says will cost them
$12 million a month.
The universities' lawsuit which claimed Enron Energy Services breached their
power management contract, could cast a shadow over the Houston-based
company's power risk management arm which recently saw a huge upsurge in
business involving similar multimillion dollar deals with large corporations.
Other bad news includes broadband layoff talk, failed water company spinoff
Azurix Inc.'s impending sell-off its North American assets, the failure of
the video on demand deal with Blockbuster, word that the $2 billion sale of
utility Portland General is unlikely to go through and continuing payment
problems at the Dabhol power plant in India.
That long-running dispute in India reared its head again on Monday. Enron
confirmed it issued a notice of political force majeure to the Maharashstra
State Electricity Board (MSEB), which has consistently defaulted on payments.
Force majeure is an event beyond the control of a contractual party that
could not have been prevented.
"It's one of the steps in the process of protecting our rights. It's one
step, but it's not the only step," Enron spokesman John Ambler said.
Enron has already invoked payment guarantees from the Indian national
government, but it has refused to cover MSEB's $21.9 million December bill
until Enron and MSEB settle another dispute over a fine. The MSEB wants the
$85.8 million fine, which it levied, to cover its outstanding bills.
LAYOFFS OR REDEPLOYMENTS?
Another nettling problem for Enron is news of trouble at Enron Broadband
Services (EBS), the cutting-edge unit that encompasses a nascent bandwidth
trading operation and a broadband content services business.
Most recently, Enron has had to answer questions about a reduction in the
number of employees at EBS because of the stock market's faltering confidence
in telecoms generally.
Two weeks ago, the company characterized word of layoffs at the broadband
unit as nothing more than an internal redeployment of staff to areas that
were growing at a higher rate.
"It's word games. Initially they said they were redeploying, and that was not
the word I heard from inside the company, but that was the way they put it.
It's probably a little of both," said analyst John Olson of Houston
investment house Sanders Morris Harris.
EBS spokeswoman Kelly Kimberly on Monday said 227 employees were leaving the
broadband unit to work in other areas of the company.
"Most of them have elected to go into the redeployment pool or are already
moved into corporate or another business," Kimberly said.
Kimberly did not have an exact figure on the number who have opted to take a
severance package, but characterized it as a small percentage.
It has been a rough few weeks for EBS, which also suffered from the
Blockbuster debacle. Last month, the two announced a mutual end to a 20-year
exclusive video on-demand deal, which had been considered a cornerstone of
EBS' content services push.
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA: Enron says Morgan Point, Tx. MTBE plant has restarted.
04/12/2001
Reuters English News Service
(C) Reuters Limited 2001.
NEW YORK, April 12 (Reuters) - Enron Corp. said Thursday its 15,000 barrel
per day (bpd) methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) plant in Morgan's Point, Tx,
has restarted from scheduled maintenance.
The plant came back up "a few days ago," an Enron spokeswoman said Thursday,
but a specific date was unavailable. The plant was brought down for a planned
turnaround on March 9.
The MTBE plant is located along the Houston Ship Channel near Baytown, and is
Enron's only MTBE plant. The company also owns a plant in La Porte, Tx. which
makes 400,000 bpd of methanol, an MTBE ingredient.
MTBE is an additive used to make the cleaner-burning gasolines required by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a third of the nation's pumps.
Current U.S. stock levels of MTBE are 22 percent lower than last year's
supply, according to data from the Department of Energy. Last year's supplies
were already considered tight by many in the industry.
- ((Soo Youn, New York Energy Desk, 212-859-1621, [email protected])).
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
RUSSIA WATCH: Putin Takes Well-Timed Shot At Gazprom
By John Ryan
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
04/12/2001
Dow Jones International News
(Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
MOSCOW -(Dow Jones)- Few can doubt that the former head of the KGB hears the
whispering around Moscow. But is Russian President Vladimir Putin slyly
manipulating the talk, too?
Putin won the presidency just over a year ago and, since then, Moscovites
have gossiped that he promised his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, not to take
any steps that would embarrass him or his entourage. Putin's cautious
behavior in his first year fueled the speculation.
The one-time KGB man pounced almost exactly a year later, timing his move so
closely to that anniversary that Russia's chattering classes - which includes
most of the foreign community - heard a tacit confirmation of their
speculative endeavor and were animated into a whole new cycle of cackling.
The case is Gazprom.
Putin issued a directive Monday for officials to bring "transparency and
efficiency" to Gazprom, a company that publishes accounts audited to
international standards but stands accused by its critics of opacity and
questionable business practices.
The company is run by 65-year-old Rem Vyakhirev, a man who seems to have as
little regard for shareholders as he has for the press. Vyakhirev - Rem is an
acronym for Revolution-Engels-Marx - rejected a recent bid by minority
shareholders for an independent audit, though the law seemed clearly on the
investors' side.
He breezed into the company's New Year's party for the Moscow press corps
last year, opened festivities with a sour toast to "less lies and more truth
in the press" and was gone within minutes. The assembled journalists barely
had time to choke on their drinks.
The toast was true to form for the old gas man, as unreformed as any
institution from the Yeltsin era. If any in Yeltsin's entourage was able to
bargain for a year of untouchability, it was Vyakhirev.
It's not clear what plan Putin has for the wily Vyakhirev but transparency
and efficiency aren't likely to come naturally to a company under his
management.
The Gazprom chief's contract expires next month, and there's no word from the
presidential administration which way Putin will lean.
Reform of Gazprom could be the most welcome news the Russian share market has
heard since its 18.5% rise the day Yeltsin resigned. Gazprom's size is
staggering: 7% of Russian gross national product, 20% of tax revenues, one
third of known world natural gas reserves, a quarter of European gas
deliveries.
That's the bright side.
Gazprom's share price of just 40 cents is, for investors, the dark side. The
company's market capitalization of $8.6 billion shows a price-to-sales ratio
of well under 1. Compare that to Enron Corp. of the U.S., which has a P/S of
44 and a market capitalization five times bigger though its assets are a
tenth or less those of Gazprom.
That share price is near the company's current 52-week high, which reflects
sentiment by Russian investors that Putin's words will translate into action.
Investors clearly hope the 15-member commission created by Putin and chaired
by Kremlin Deputy Chief of Staff Dmitry Medvedev will find a way to bring
down the ring fence barring foreign investors from buying Gazprom's local
shares.
That fence compels foreign investors who want to own Gazprom to buy the
company's American Depositary Receipts. Trouble is, those securities cost
double the underlying share price - a relic of the heady days of 1996 when
investors bought up the pricey ADRs in the conviction that they were cheap
even at twice the price. Trouble is, they still cost double the underlying
share price because buyers nowadays flinch at the price difference.
Medvedev said Tuesday his commission's recommendation, due in July, will fall
between two extremes: pulling down the ring fence completely to allow
foreigners to buy as much Gazprom shares as they want; and raising the de
jure foreign ownership of Gazprom to the legal cap of 20% from 11.5% now.
Analysts estimate that "gray schemes," whereby Moscow brokerages buy local
Gazprom shares on behalf of foreign investors, bring the de facto foreign
shareholding in Gazprom to between 20% and 25%. A senior official on the
Medvedev commission said earlier this week that any decision will have to
take the gray scheme shares into consideration.
But investors have reason to hope the commission will plump for the full
liberalization.
Gazprom managers do have two seats on the commission, but reformers from the
Kremlin and government headquarters at the White House have four or more
seats. All of these people can be expected to favor bringing down the ring
fence - Gazprom executives because they stand to gain as shareholders from
the expected price rise, and reformers because of an instinctive dislike of
the state participating in setting share prices.
That, in any case, seems to be what the market now expects. Gazprom shares
are up more than a quarter this week on expectations that foreign investors
will soon have a chance to snap up Russia's cheapest big-company shares.
Gazprom's buyers are probably right. The appointment of the Medvedev
commission signals that the one choice that won't be made is do nothing.
The other choice - letting foreigners buy more of the overpriced ADRs - can't
be done by issuing new shares as ADRs because it's long been clear there are
no investors willing to stomach such a purchase. Gazprom has even twice
mulled issuing convertible bonds and twice been dissuaded by lead managers.
In the end, the Medvedev commission seems likely to end up getting herded
into letting foreigners buy local shares.
A freely-traded Gazprom would soon find increased respectability and greater
interest from the more cautious in the investment community. Share indices
would include it in their rankings, compelling more investors - index
trackers this time - to buy the stock.
Unification of the company's share price will hurt current ADR holders at
least at first as the ADR price converges down to meet the underlying share
price, and they know it. By contrast with the underlying share, the ADR
hasn't budged this week.
An ADR priced the same as the underlying share would be a compelling buy for
the many foreign investors lucky or wise enough not to be mired in the
current double-standard share structure. There may be legs yet in the current
rally in the underlying shares.
Company Web site: http://www.gazprom.ru
-By John Ryan, Dow Jones Newswires; 7095-974-8055; [email protected] -0-
12/04/01 14-39G
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA: U.S. must embrace energy efficiency-report.
By Matthew Robinson
04/12/2001
Reuters English News Service
(C) Reuters Limited 2001.
NEW YORK, April 12 (Reuters) - The United States must adopt new conservation
measures such as improved vehicle fuel efficiency if it is to ease its energy
supply woes, a new report from an independent task force said on Thursday.
The Bush administration's plan to increase domestic energy supplies is not
enough to tackle a squeeze that has sent gasoline and heating oil costs
soaring and pushed California's power system to the brink of collapse, the
task force organized by the the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the
Baker Institute of Rice University said.
The panel released its findings as the administration's White House Energy
Policy Development Group headed by Vice President Dick Cheney prepares for
final deliberations.
Oil and energy firms such as Royal Dutch/Shell , Chevron , BP Amoco ,Enron ,
Dynergy and Italy's ENI contributed to the task force.
"Supply side issues are very important, as is debottlenecking our
infrastructure. But we have to look at demand management practices and fuel
choice - we completely ignored that for more than a decade," said Amy Myers
Jaffe, project director for the task force.
The United States currently guzzles about a quarter of the 80 million barrels
of oil products consumed each day worldwide, and according to the study lags
other industrialized nations in exercising demand-based energy policies.
The Bush administration's energy plan is currently focused on opening up more
domestic land for hydrocarbon drilling, including the currently off-limits
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to make the U.S. less reliant on
foreign imports.
"The United States has trailed other industrialized societies when it comes
to oil-demand management," the report says.
If light truck vehicles such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were required
to have the same fuel efficiency as automobiles, it would shave five percent
off U.S. demand in seven to 10 years, it said.
The federal government could also stimulate development of greener
transportation by purchasing vehicles for its fleet that incorporate nascent
technologies, it added.
Efforts toward the development of energy-efficient technologies would in turn
encourage more efficient worldwide use of oil resources in developing
countries, it said.
With China expected to add more than 150 million automobiles to its fleet
over the next 20 years, increasing the efficiencies of those vehicles would
have global implications for oil demand.
RELIANT ON IMPORTS
Over fifty percent of oil consumed in the United States is imported, and
looks to become dependent on sources outside of North America for significant
volumes of natural gas in the near future.
Growing U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources, means policy makers must
also rethink its foreign policy with an eye toward the Russia, China, and the
Middle East, including backing off some of the sanctions against major
producer Iraq which are deemed less effective, the study says.
In addition, environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions are too
large and too public to be ignored in a comprehensive energy policy.
The study concludes that when it comes to energy, the American people cannot
achieve "both a painless present and a secure future".
"The president has to begin educating the public about this reality and start
building a broad base of popular support for the hard policy choices ahead,"
the report says.
"There is no overnight solution - there is no silver bullet," said Jaffe.
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
INDIA: India state committee suggests Enron re-negotiation.
By Maria Abraham
04/12/2001
Reuters English News Service
(C) Reuters Limited 2001.
BOMBAY, April 12 (Reuters) - A committee set up by the western Indian state
of Maharashtra to examine U.S. energy giant Enron's controversial power
project on Thursday recommended it be re-negotiated.
The state government presented the committee's report with a list of
recommendations about Enron's Indian unit, Dabhol Power Co (DPC) in the
legislative assembly.
"...action needs to be taken concomitantly to address certain urgent and
critical issues pertaining to the project through negotiations with DPC so as
to bring down the cost of power," the report said.
Enron and the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) had been locked in a
long-standing dispute over the state utility's unpaid bills.
In March Enron, which owns 65 percent of DPC, invoked a counter-guarantee of
the Indian government after MSEB failed to clear its bill of 1.02 billion
rupees ($21.91 million) for December.
Earlier this week, the multinational's Indian unit sent a political force
majeure notice to MSEB. Such a notice is a contractual clause dissatisfied
parties give as a first step towards possibly dissolving a contract.
Last week, Enron notified the government of India that it was applying to an
arbitration court in London to consider its claim for 1.02 billion rupees.
DPC has come under fire because of the relatively high cost of its power.
Critics object to it charging 7.1 rupees per kilowatt hour versus 1.5 rupees
charged by other suppliers.
The committee, chaired by a former bureaucrat Madhavrao Godbole, has
suggested that the tariff be re-negotiated to make it cheaper and to remove
the dollar linkage which resulted in a steep increase each time the rupee
fell against the dollar.
The report also recommended the financial restructuring of DPC so as to defer
payment obligatons: "The Committee therefore recommends that the maturity of
the debt be increased, preferably to 15 years, with an initial moratorium of
five years".
The Committee also wants the Escrow Agreement, designed to ensure future
payments, between MSEB and DPC to be cancelled.
Other recommendations included:
* Tariff to be benchmarked to the lowest cost of supply from gas-based
projects elsewhere.
* Separate the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility into a separate unit
whose capital costs are reflected in the fuel charge in proportion to the
extent of fuel re-gasified for power generation compared to the total
re-gasification capacity.
* Allow the sale of DPC power outside MSEB but only if DPC agrees to relieve
MSEB of all its contractual obligations relating to the power plant.
The Committee report comes in the midst of DPC and the Indian government
initiating the process of conciliation to settle contentious issues plaguing
the $3 billion project at Dabhol in Maharashtra, the biggest foreign
investment in India.
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Indian Panel Submits Report On Enron Power Dispute
04/12/2001
Dow Jones International News
(Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
BOMBAY (AP)--A committee on Thursday recommended renegotiating an agreement
with U.S. energy giant Enron Corp. (ENE) to lower power tariffs in a western
Indian state and called for reform of a state power utility that defaulted on
payments to Enron.
A five-member committee prepared the 198-page report which was placed before
legislators in the state assembly on Thursday. The committee was appointed in
Feb. by the Maharashtra government, of which Bombay is capital.
The $2.4 billion Dhabol project in Guhagar, 335 kilometers (210 miles) south
of Bombay, is India's biggest foreign investment.
State government ministers have been critical of Dabhol Power Company, Enron
's Indian subsidiary, and have dubbed the power supplied by the two-year old
plant as "unaffordable."
While some demanded scrapping the project, others asked for renegotiating the
1995 power purchase agreement that covers the rate at which the company sells
electricity to Maharashtra state.
Costs have increased fourfold from 1.8 rupees (four cents) per unit agreed in
1995 for naphtha-generated electricity in the 740-megawatt plant.
Prices shot up to 7 rupees (15 cents) per unit because worldwide fluctuation
of oil prices and a depreciation of the Indian rupee hiked the cost of
naphtha.
Enron has blamed rupee depreciation and the high cost of naphtha used as fuel
in the first phase for the hike in tariff. The second phase 1,444-megawatt
plant is scheduled to run on liquefied natural gas later this year.
Three separate state governments have negotiated with the company since the
mid-1990s over pricing.
Stressing this point, the five-member committee said it was "troubled" by the
"failure of governance" in matters relating to the project. The report said a
"clear political mandate" should be evolved to negotiate issues such as
lowering of tariff and capital cost.
The committee suggested that a forum comprising of the federal government,
state government, state power utility and Dabhol Power Company be involved in
future discussion.
It also said the Dabhol company had shown it was open to renegotiation.
"During discussions held with Dabhol Power Company, the committee emphasized
the need for reform of the utility.
The committee also mooted redefining the tariff in rupee instead of dollar
terms, permitting Dabhol to sell power to other states and allowing the
under-construction liquefied natural gas facility to be marketed to other gas
marketers and importers.
While the state power utility is currently the sole purchaser of Dabhol's
naphtha-generated power and the second LNG phase, the report said other
buyers could be found for LNG.
"The current market conditions for spot LNG make it quite attractive to trade
LNG on the spot market."
The report will be debated in the state assembly before the government takes
a decision.
Last week, the Dabhol Power Company served an arbitration notice on the
federal government for not paying up outstanding dues. As part of the 1995
agreement, any dispute between Dabhol and the government can be resolved in
the London Court of Arbitration.
If committees set up by both sides cannot resolve the dispute within 60 days
in India, proceedings will begin in London.
Earlier this week, India's finance minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters the
federal government had agreed on a conciliation process.
"We will go ahead with conciliation," said Sinha after a finance ministry
meeting in New Delhi decided to adopt the conciliation route rather than
arbitration to settle the pricing issue.
As part of a counter guarantee agreement, the federal government is bound to
pay electricity bills if Maharashtra state defaults.
Enron invoked that guarantee in February, marking the first time in India's
history that a company invoked a federal guarantee, when the state utility
said it could not afford to pay Dabhol Power Company.
The state government finally paid $17 million in outstanding bills. Another
$48 million is still due to Enron in overdue bills.
Copyright , 2000 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Indian Panel Proposes Enron, Maharashtra Redo Pact (Update1)
2001-04-12 16:22 (New York)
Indian Panel Proposes Enron, Maharashtra Redo Pact (Update1)
(Updates dollar conversion in third paragraph.)
Mumbai, April 12 (Bloomberg) -- Maharashtra, India's biggest
industrial state, and the local unit of Enron Corp., the world's
largest energy trader, should renegotiate their agreement to
resolve a dispute over unpaid bills, a three-member panel said.
The panel said Dabhol Power Co., which is 65 percent owned by
Enron, should link its charges to a fixed exchange rate because a
weakening rupee has made its power more expensive. The Indian
rupee has declined 7 percent against the U.S. dollar the past 12
months.
The panel, which includes representatives from Dabhol Power
and the Indian government, recommended the renegotiations today in
the fight over 3 billion rupees ($65 million) in unpaid bills. The
company invoked ``political force majeure' on Tuesday to stop
selling power to Maharashtra without being penalized after the
state declined to pay the energy bills for December and January.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Board, Dabhol's only
customer, said the bills are too high, arguing Dabhol is charging
more than other generators.
The canceled payments led Dabhol to invoke payment guarantees
by India's federal and the state government. The two sides
yesterday agreed to submit the case to the panel.
Enron's $3 billion, 740 megawatt-a-year project, is the
biggest foreign investment in India. The project faced numerous
delays and at one point was canceled after a change of government
at the state. Enron revived it after agreeing to cut power prices
by 22 percent and sell a 30 percent stake to the state government.
India wants to double its capacity to 200,000 megawatts over
the next 10 years. The country needs $100 billion to do that, and
is relying mainly on foreign companies.
The panel said Dabhol should be allowed to sell to buyers
other than the electricity board, such as state-run National
Thermal Power Corp., which generates a quarter of the country's
power. Dabhol will have to relieve MSEB of all its ``contractual
obligations'' before it does that.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
---------------------- Forwarded by Chris Dorland/CAL/ECT on 08/23/2000 12:11
PM ---------------------------
Dan Dorland
08/23/2000 07:55 AM
To: Kent Dorland <[email protected]> @ ENRON, Chris
Dorland/CAL/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: Re: General info
Hey Dad and Chris,
How's it going? I was just wondering if I could ask for you and mom's help on
a few things before the end of the summer. First, I want to start advertising
my Jeep for sale, so I was hoping you might spruce it up a bit for me. It
just needs a good cleaning inside and out (i.e. Lazerwash) before getting its
picture taken for the ads. Also, the sticker on the rear window should be
removed and it probably wouldn't hurt to have it Mr. Lubed one more time.
There are a couple of other things, but I think you said not to worry about
them: Windshield is very cracked and tint on back window has a scrape on it.
Don't worry about $$$ because whatever it costs you, I'll reimburse you from
the proceeds.
I was thinking I'll list it in the Red Deer and Calgary Auto/Canada Trader
magazines. If you call them, they set up an appointment with you to take a
picture and get the vehicle listed. I have their phone numbers in both Red
Deer (346-1969) and Cowtown (250-2122), but I think we should get the surfing
machine tuned up first.
Second, I was hoping I could get a few things sent out here asap. As I
mentioned before, I want to get involved in some adventurous stuff on the
weekends, if possible. I found that I can take my Advanced PADI scuba here in
one weekend, so I was hoping to get my fins, mask, snorkel and booties sent
out here. I think they are in the basement.
I would also love to get that box of movies from Chris and my golf
clubs/shoes, si possible. Don't worry about the golf clubs if they are a
hastle though b/c I probably wouldn't use them more than once or twice.
I hope this is not a big inconvenience to you guys. I just wanted to get the
ball rolling on this before the summer's end.
Thanks alot and I'll talk to you soon,
Dan
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Following is from today's Inside FERC. The Commission rejected Phase III b/c
Transco filed contracts for 210,000dth/d, representing firm commitments,
rather than for the 404,000/dth/d proposed in the original application. The
delay in filing was caused by the protracted negotiations over siting
between Transco and the State of New Jersey. The rejection leaves a gap in
the capacity needed to serve the NY/NJ market and may improve the
chances for success of the other proposed projects in the NYC area sponsored
separately by Duke, ElPaso, Iroquois and jointly by Duke/Williams/KeySpan.
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. will have to start the FERC approval
process all over again for
more than half of its originally anticipated MarketLink capacity. In an April
26 order, the commission said
previously granted certificate authority for 404,000 Dt/day of capacity on
the expansion into the New York
City metro area has expired.
Earlier this month, Transco tried to persuade FERC to allow it to build
sufficient facilities to move the
gas it had under contract for the project,s phase three--only 210,000 Dt/day
of the phase,s planned
404,000 Dt/day (IF, 23 April, 4). But that request doesn,t square with the
commission,s Dec. 13 approval of
project phasing, said last week,s order (CP98-540). In the December ruling,
the commission said that
"should Transco desire to construct some configuration of the remaining
MarketLink facilities and
services that differ[s] from what has been authorized (in the Dec. 13 order),
Transco will be required to file
an application for a new certificate for those facilities."
As a result, Transco now has authority to build only 166,000 Dt/day of
phase-one capacity, scheduled
to be online Nov. 1, and 130,000 Dt/day of phase-two capacity, expected to be
in service Nov. 1, 2002.
"As the history of the MarketLink project amply demonstrates, we authorized
Transco to construct this
project on the basis that the capacity was fully subscribed. Now, almost
three years after Transco filed its
application, one year after we certificated the project, and four months
after giving Transco more time to
obtain contracts, Transco still does not have a market fully subscribing
phase three," said last week,s order.
Transco was required to show contracts by April 13 for the full 404,000
Dt/day capacity of phase three, and
when it couldn,t do so, certificate authority expired on that date, FERC said.
"Of course, Transco is free to file a new application requesting certificate
authority to construct and
operate the facilities needed" to provide phase-three service, the order
added.
In filings before FERC acted, the state of New York said Transco should be
given the go-ahead for
phase-three construction because "new capacity is needed to serve growth in
the traditional core market as
well as the rapidly increasing demand for gas to generate electricity in the
New York City area." While only
a small percentage of the contracted phase-three volumes-- 25,000 Dt/day out
of 210,000 Dt/day-- is
designated for delivery to New York City, the shipments into the region
"should help to alleviate capacity
constraints and bring down the high market prices that have been experienced
over recent periods," the
state went on to say.
Expressing the contrary view, Rep. Bill Pascrell in a short but pointed
letter expressed his opposition to
the proposal to build downsized facilities for phase three.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Please see the following articles:
AP Wire services, Tues 3/20: "Calif. Officials Order Blackouts"
Dow Jones News, Tues 3/20: "California Panel to Order Utilities to Make $1
Billion in Back Payments"
SF Chron, 3/20: "As Davis Seeks Money, Lawmakers Want Answers
Members of both parties angry at lack of dialogue"
Fresno Bee, Tues 3/20: "Jones rips state on energy crisis "
Sac Bee, Wed., 3/21: "Day 2 -- Battling blackouts: Payment plan sought to
restart small plants"
Sac Bee, Wed., 3/21: "Hospitals take hit, seek power guarantee"
Sac Bee, Wed., 3/21: "Lodi still won't pull the plug"
San Diego Union, Tues., 3/20: "Blackouts hit for second day; break seen
Wednesday"
San Diego Union, Tues., 3/20: "State power regulators working on energy
rescue"
San Diego Union, Tues., 3/20: "Federal regulators scored for not ordering
more California refunds"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "Second Day of Blackouts Disrupts 500,000 Home and
Businesses"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "Fragile Supply Network Apt to Fail"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "Elevator Anxiety is Riding High"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "State says it's accelerating plan to buy Power
Utilities' Grid"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "L.A., Long Beach File Suits Over Gas Companies'
Prices "
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "Davis OKs Subsidy of Pollution Fees"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: "As Losses Mount, Companies work around outages"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: Commentary: "A Blackout on Answers"
LA Times, Wed., 3/21: Commentary: "Rolling Blackouts: Blatant Extortion"
SF Chron, Wed., 3/21: "Utilities' Demand Blocks Bailout
NEGOTIATIONS HIT SNAG: PG&E, Edison want end to price freeze if they sell
transmission lines to state"
SF Chron, Wed., 3/21: "Utilities' Demand Blocks Bailout
BLACKOUTS ROLL ON: Weather, increased consumption blamed"
SF Chron, Wed., 3/21: "Manners Go Out the Window
Pedestrians in peril as drivers turn darkened S.F. streets into free-for-all"
SF Chron, Tues., 3/20: "Historic Blackouts in State
Bay Area learns to cope"
SF Chron., Tues., 3/20: "Second day of rolling blackouts in power-starved
California"
Mercury News., Wed., 3/21: "Bay Area Residents Learning to roll with
Blackouts"
Orange County, Wed., 3/21: "Powerless, Again"
Orange County, Wed., 3/21: "The iceman shunneth effects of hourlong blackout"
Orange County, Wed., 3/21: "Traffic officials are seeing red over blackouts"
Orange County, Wed., 3/21: "Alternative power producers cut back or shut
down as payments from big utilities lag"
Orange County, Wed., 3/21: "O.C. saves its energy -- for blaming others"
Orange County, Wed., 3/21: "Blackout readiness on agenda"
Dow Jones Energy News, Wed., 3/21: "Calif To Order Utils To Pay Small
Generators Up Front-Gov"
Dow Jones Energy News., Wed., 3/21: "PG&E Says It Is Negotiating With
Qualifying Facilities"
Energy Insight, Wed., 3/21: "New York at the Crossroads"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Calif. Officials Order Blackouts
By PAUL CHAVEZ, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - State power managers ordered rolling blackouts across
California for a second straight day Tuesday as demand for electricity again
exceeded supply.
The same factors that collided to strap California's power supply on Monday
hit again, officials with the Independent System Operator said. Those include
reduced electricity imports from the Pacific Northwest, numerous power plants
offline for repairs and higher-than-expected demand because of warm
temperatures.
A two-unit Southern California plant that the ISO hoped would be working
Tuesday had not been fixed. One of its units might go online at noon to help
the situation, the ISO's Jim Detmers said.
In addition, hydroelectric power imports from the Northwest were 800
megawatts lower than Monday, he said. The ISO oversees most of the state's
power grid.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Panel to Order Utilities to Make $1 Billion in Back Payments
By Jason Leopold
03/20/2001
Dow Jones Business News
(Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
Dow Jones Newswires
LOS ANGELES -- The California Public Utilities Commission will order Edison
International's Southern California Edison and PG&E Corp.'s Pacific Gas &
Electric unit to pay small power generators that are qualified utilities
about $1 billion in past-due payments in order to keep the plant owners from
dragging the utilities into an involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, and to
also ensure the generation units keep pumping out electricity, people
familiar with the matter told Dow Jones Newswires late Monday.
Gov. Gray Davis, state Sen. Debra Bowen, and Assemblymembers Fred Keeley and
Robert Hertzberg, all Democrats, spent most of the day y trying to hammer out
an agreement with the so-called qualifying facilities, alternative power
producers that use the wind, sun, steam and biomass to generate electricity
for the state, on supply contracts and past payments the utilities failed to
make.
The qualifying facilities, which represent about one-third of the state's
total power supply and signed contracts to sell power directly to the
utilities under a government mandate, would then agree to sign power-supply
contracts with the utilities for a period of five to 10 years for about $79 a
megawatt hour for the first five years and about $61 a megawatt hour
thereafter, two sources involved in the negotiations said.
The PUC is expected to issue a draft resolution on the issue sometime this
week, one source said.
The lawmakers wouldn't comment on the details of their talks Monday.
Representatives with SoCal Ed (EIX) and PG&E (PCG) said they were unaware
Gov. Davis and his administration were meeting on the issue.
The utilities are more than $13 billion in debt and have failed to make
payments on their qualifying-facilities contracts since November. PG&E has
paid some of its qualified facilities just a fraction of what they are owed.
Legislation To Restructure QF Rates Stalls In Senate Energy Committee
Mr. Keeley had recently drafted legislation, along with state Sen. Jim
Battin, a Republican from Palm Desert, that would have restructured the rates
the qualified facilities charge the utilities, from $170 a megawatt hour to
$80 a megawatt hour for five years.
The bill, SB47X, stalled in the Senate Energy Committee, of which Ms. Bowen
chairs. SoCal Ed opposed the legislation, saying the rates were still too
high. A utility spokesman said the qualified-facilities rates should be
reduced to under $50 a megawatt hour.
But the lawmakers and the governor is trying to avoid the need for
legislation, largely because there isn't much support in both houses for such
a bill and the chance that it won't be passed in time to keep the qualified
facilities from dragging the utilities into involuntary bankruptcy
proceedings, the legislative source said.
The PUC will take over the issue from the Legislature, the source said.
Monday, about 3,000 megawatts of qualified-facilities generation went offline
because the companies that operate the power plants can no longer afford to
buy natural gas used to fuel the plants due to the utilities' failure to pay
money owed to the companies, said Jim Detmers, vice president of operations
for the state's Independent System Operator.
The outages triggered a major shortfall in the state which resulted in nearly
eight hours of statewide rolling blackouts Monday.
Many owners of the qualified-facilities said without immediate relief, they
would likely force SoCal Ed, and possibly PG&E, into involuntary bankruptcy,
perhaps as soon as Thursday.
One such facility, CalEnergyOperating Co., wants to be freed temporarily from
its contract with the utility and be allowed to sell its electricity to third
parties until the utility is able to pay its bills. CalEnergy is an affiliate
of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., which is majority owned by Warren
Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRKA).
The company sued SoCal Ed last month, and the case is scheduled to be heard
Thursday in Imperial County Superior Court. If a judge delivers an
unfavorable ruling, CalEnergy and other unsecured creditors would drag SoCal
Ed into involuntary bankruptcy, three executives with the companies involved
said.
CalEnergy is said to be organizing a bankruptcy petition now circulating
among six of Southern California Edison's independent power suppliers and
could file the petition very quickly if it fails in its suit Thursday, said
executives with three of the six companies.
Write to Jason Leopold at [email protected]
Copyright (c) 2001 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Davis Seeks Money, Lawmakers Want Answers
Members of both parties angry at lack of dialogue
Lynda Gledhill, Greg Lucas, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Tuesday, March 20, 2001
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle
Sacramento -- The Legislature has warned it may block further state purchases
of electricity as lawmakers' frustration with Gov. Gray Davis' handling of
the energy crisis increases.
A test may come soon because Davis asked yesterday for another $500 million
to continue buying power.
Sen. Steve Peace, D-El Cajon, chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget
Committee, wrote to Davis' Finance Department on Friday that the committee
might deny further spending requests "in the absence any discernable
progress" from the Public Utilities Commission to ensure that the state would
get its money back.
Members of the committee, both Republican and Democratic, said they supported
Peace's call for more oversight of the spending, given the lack of
information from Davis on details of the state's power purchases.
"He's been holding things close to the chest, and that bothers me," said Sen.
John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara. "I want to know a lot more."
Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Fullerton, said the administration "has been
stonewalling us about how much is being spent, and how much power we're
getting for it. When the state is spending that kind of money, at a minimum,
legislators should know for what."
The state had spent $2.6 billion on electricity through March 11. Davis'
request for more money would put the state at the $3 billion mark by the
middle of April. The state is spending an average of $49 million a day.
The money is supposed to be paid back through the rates collected from
utilities' customers. It is up to the PUC to decide how to divide that money
among the state, the utilities and the utilities' debtors. The commission is
scheduled to take up the issue at its March 27 meeting.
The problem is that there appear to be more demands on the money than there
is money to go around.
The utilities have said they need the money to pay off some of their
creditors. Among those looking for cash are alternative-power generators that
were selling electricity to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern
California Edison. Half of them have shut down because they have not been
paid.
Earlier this month, the PUC granted the Department of Water Resources, which
has been purchasing electricity for the state, the power to recoup its full
costs through rates.
It's unclear whether that can be accomplished without raising electricity
prices, though Davis has insisted he can solve the crisis without boosting
rates.
Lawmakers said they approved the bill that allowed the state to buy power in
the belief such purchases would be a stopgap until the Davis administration
could sign long-term contracts with power suppliers. However, only about 19
contracts have been signed to date, out of 42 agreements. If all the
contracts are signed, they will account for about 70 percent of the power
California is expected to need.
"It was our expectation some of these contracts would kick in," said
Assemblywoman Carole Migden, D-San Francisco. "This was designed to only be
bridge money to avert a power disaster. We should hold firm and come up with
a plan.
"I recall about three weeks ago when we first asked about one of these $500
million letters," Migden said. "We said maybe this one is necessary, but
there won't be carte blanche approval of any future requests. I'm pleased
Sen. Peace is taking that approach."
To Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, Peace's letter was "another way
for the Legislature to send a message we need to be in this loop. We're just
getting a small little dribble of information, which just creates more
questions."
A spokesman for the Department of Finance said officials hoped to work with
the committee members about their concerns.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Jones rips state on energy crisis
Secretary of state hints that he'll take on Davis in 2002.
By John Ellis
The Fresno Bee
(Published March 20, 2001)
Officially, he's Bill Jones, secretary of state for California. Unofficially,
he's Bill Jones, 2002 gubernatorial candidate.
The evidence is right there between the lines -- in the subtleties of his
speeches, their subject matter, and the way Jones carries himself when he's
in public.
Monday was no different, as Jones addressed a Rotary Club luncheon in Fresno
full of people who are assuming -- though nothing is official -- that the
Fresno native will soon announce his intention to challenge Gov. Davis next
year.
"Bill, they call me governor," Chas Looney, a former Rotary Club district
governor, quipped to Jones. "I look forward to the day we all can call you
governor."
Jones then proceeded to deliver a speech to a packed house in the DoubleTree
Hotel that touched on his accomplishments as secretary of state, but quickly
moved to his main topic: California's crumbling infrastructure and how the
energy crisis is affecting the state.
Always in the background but never mentioned by name was Davis. Jones was
careful to hew to the Rotary rule that speeches steer clear of partisan
politics.
Still, Jones looked, sounded and acted like a candidate for governor, and
near the end of his speech he promised his decision would come soon.
The Fresno Republican's speech began by highlighting his work in passing the
"Three Strikes and You're Out" initiative in 1994.
Jones also talked of his efforts to remove 2 million inactive California
voters from the rolls.
But it was clearly the energy crisis and its ramifications -- an issue
Republicans feel they can pin on Davis and the Democratic-controlled
Legislature -- that was the centerpiece of the speech.
Today, the energy crisis is being driven, he said, by a lack of power plant
construction. And while billions go to solve the crisis, he said, the state
faces $100 billion in unmet infrastructure needs -- everything from school
repair to road repair.
"Doesn't that scare you?" Jones asked.
He then recounted the warning signs -- ignored by the state, he said -- of
the looming energy crisis.
He cited the initial warnings that the deregulation bill was flawed, last
summer's request by Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric to allow forward
contracting and the Republican request for a special session to deal with the
energy crisis. All ignored, Jones said.
Now, Edison and PG&E are near bankruptcy and the state finds itself stepping
up as a creditor. "And the solution now becomes California getting into the
energy business," he said. "Or, even carrying it to a greater degree, not
just in the short term to buy power to keep the lights on. I'm talking about
basically socializing the energy business."
Jones said he prefers low-interest loans to Edison and PG&E, taking the
electric grid as collateral.
"I just do not believe in California getting into something it does not know
how to do -- has never done before -- on top of all of our other
obligations," he said.
"It really worries me that California will not be able to endure that type of
obligation."
Jones said polls now show increasing numbers of residents saying the state is
headed in the wrong direction.
"I feel obligated to speak out and say there is a better way," Jones said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2 -- Battling blackouts: Payment plan sought to restart small plants
By Dale Kasler and Carrie Peyton
Bee Staff Writers
(Published March 21, 2001)
Blackouts rolled across California for a second straight day Tuesday,
snarling traffic, darkening businesses and sending state officials scrambling
to craft a payment plan to revive the wind farms and other critically needed
small energy producers that have shut down because of financial woes.
On a day when another 570,000 customers lost power, Gov. Gray Davis said the
Public Utilities Commission and the Legislature would move promptly to order
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison to start paying
those small energy producers for their electricity. Davis said the two
utilities will face "considerable fines" if they don't pay up.
But several of the producers, known as "qualifying facilities," said they
doubted Davis' plan would go far enough to get them back in operation. And it
wasn't clear whether the plan would keep the increasingly impatient
alternative producers from hauling one or both of the big utilities into
bankruptcy court, as some have threatened.
The shortage of power from the qualifying facilities -- plus a near-record
heat wave (downtown Sacramento topped off at 83 degrees, one degree short of
the 84 degree record set in 1960), a lack of hydropower and other problems --
prompted the state's Independent System Operator to order a second day of
blackouts starting mid-morning. But the blackouts hit only about half as many
Californians as Monday's, with late afternoon conservation efforts helping
balance supply with demand.
The blackouts, usually about an hour long, hit about 7,600 Sacramento
Municipal Utility District customers in Elk Grove and south Sacramento
County. PG&E customers in suburban counties were affected as well.
The order darkened shops in San Francisco's Chinatown and was blamed for a
crash that left two motorists seriously injured in the Los Angeles suburb of
South El Monte. A Sun Microsystems Inc. factory in Newark had to close for
several hours.
Most Californians took the blackouts in stride, though. Elk Grove High School
students filed outside to play hacky sack. Coffee shop patrons in Davis
milled outdoors, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.
Yet the blackout order was met with outright defiance by one municipal
utility. The city of Lodi refused to cut power to its residents Monday or
Tuesday, saying it shouldn't have to suffer because of the financial crisis
afflicting PG&E and Edison.
The outlook for today and the near future was brighter, as several big power
plants came back on line after repairs. ISO officials also praised
Californians' conservation efforts, which had faltered in the morning but
came on strong in the afternoon, helping to prevent further blackouts. By
evening the grid was in a relatively mild Stage 2 power alert.
But the second day of blackouts -- plus an increasing threat of utility
bankruptcy -- pushed Davis to the brink. The governor cobbled together a
payment plan to rescue the qualifying facilities -- some 600 wind farms,
geothermal plants and other alternative-energy generators whose production
has become increasingly vital in recent days.
Under Davis' plan, the Legislature and the PUC would order PG&E and Edison to
pay the qualifying facilities for power delivered after April 1. The
utilities are required to buy power from the qualifying facilities under a
1978 federal law designed to bring cheaper and cleaner forms of electricity
to market.
Davis said the PUC would release a proposed order late Tuesday that would
require the utilities to pay the qualifying facilities $79 a megawatt hour
for five-year contracts or $69 for 10-year contracts. The Legislature also
would have to pass a law authorizing the PUC to issue such an order.
But the situation was far from resolved late Tuesday, and PG&E and Edison
were likely to oppose at least portions of Davis' plan.
Edison is willing only to make "some kind of partial payments going forward,"
said Thomas Higgins, a senior vice president with parent company Edison
International. "We have a limited amount of resources available to us in
rates, ... and that's the constraining factor."
PG&E, which has been making partial payments to the qualifying facilities,
said it could pay them in advance, in full, for future power deliveries.
But PG&E said such payments would eat up half the $400 million it has
available each month to buy power -- and unless it gets a rate hike, there
wouldn't be enough to pay the qualifying facilities and cover other expenses,
including the cost of reimbursing the state Department of Water Resources for
the power the agency is buying on behalf of the troubled utility.
PG&E's proposal could represent a challenge of sorts to state officials:
Accept less money for the water department, or raise rates.
State officials "need to resolve who they want to see paid," PG&E spokesman
John Nelson said. "There is a limited pool of money."
For his part, Davis insisted that the water department would be first in line
to be paid, and he said the PUC will issue a proposed order to that effect.
"We are getting paid before anybody else," Davis said.
Hundreds of qualifying facilities are out of commission because PG&E and
Edison haven't paid them. The situation has robbed the state of several
thousand badly needed megawatts and is a key reason blackouts have been
ordered. In normal times the facilities produce more than 20 percent of
California's electricity.
Some of the qualifying facilities have been threatening to haul one or both
of California's beleaguered utilities into bankruptcy court unless they get
paid soon, saying a bankruptcy filing might be the only way they can save
their businesses.
"You've got to take care of the QF problem or the whole thing blacks out,"
said Jerry Bloom, a lawyer representing one group of qualifying facilities.
"(State officials) are starting to understand."
One thing that was fairly certain about Davis' still-sketchy payment plan: It
wouldn't cover PG&E and Edison's existing debt to the qualifying facilities,
estimated at more than $1.48 billion.
In their current financial state, the utilities say they can't afford to pay
the existing debt. In addition, paying the debt would create a major
complication: Other creditors, including the big power generators, would
surely haul Edison and PG&E into bankruptcy court on the grounds that they
weren't being treated fairly.
"You can't give preferential payment treatment to one class of creditors over
another," PG&E's Nelson said. "You virtually assure that (the other
creditors) have to file an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against you."
But without full payment, it wasn't clear how many of the qualifying
facilities would be able to restart.
Executives at several plants -- the ones that run on natural gas -- said
they're not sure their gas suppliers will deliver unless the existing debts
are cleared up.
"We need to convince a gas company to supply us," said Ed Tomeo of UAE Energy
Operations Corp., which had to shut off its 40-megawatt Kern County plant
Tuesday. "We're a company that already owes millions of dollars for gas
supplies. How do you coax them to sell you millions more?"
"It's wishful thinking ... that the gas suppliers are going to sell us gas,"
Robert Swanson of Ridgewood Power said.
I>Bee Capitol Bureau Chief Amy Chance and staff writers Stuart Leavenworth,
Bill Lindelof, Pamela Martineau and the Associated Press contributed to this
report.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lodi still won't pull the plug
By Carrie Peyton
Bee Staff Writer
(Published March 21, 2001)
In a growing rebellion against blackouts, the city of Lodi has twice refused
to cut power to its residents despite an order from Pacific Gas and Electric
Co.
The small city-run electric system is among many disgruntled utilities,
including the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, that believe their
contractual pledges to cut back during emergencies were never meant for times
like this.
"It's been a philosophical debate up to this point. Now I guess we've drawn a
line in the sand," said Lodi utility director Alan Vallow.
PG&E said it is reviewing its interconnection contract, the agreement that
links Lodi to the grid through PG&E-owned high-voltage lines, to determine
what action it will take next.
"It's unfortunate that while the city of Lodi has received the benefit of
this agreement for years, they are unwilling to bear the burden of this
statewide energy shortage," said PG&E's Jon Tremayne.
One utility coalition, the Northern California Power Agency, believes that
PG&E has already violated that agreement by not lining up enough power for
customers.
The agency wrote PG&E on Friday saying that its members -- municipal
utilities and irrigation districts -- believe they aren't required to
participate in blackouts prompted by financial disputes.
And SMUD, which has been considering dropping out of future blackouts, will
be watching the response to Lodi, said SMUD board President Larry Carr.
Some SMUD directors say they're ready to go to court to force the issue. So
is Lodi, population 58,000, said Vallow.
"I've heard an Edison executive describe this as a natural disaster akin to
an earthquake. That's crap. This is a man-made event," he said.
Lodi said it will still help in genuine emergencies, such as fires or toppled
transmission lines. But it decided that on Monday and Tuesday that wasn't the
case.
"You have 3,000 megawatts of QFs (qualifying facilities) offline because
their bills haven't been paid. Well, guess what? Somebody ought to pay those
... bills," Vallow said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Blackouts hit for second day; break seen Wednesday
By Audrey Cooper
ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 20, 2001
SACRAMENTO ) Rolling blackouts hit California for a second straight day
Tuesday, closing souvenir shops in San Francisco's Chinatown, snarling
traffic and plunging schools and offices around the state into darkness.
Roughly a half-million homes and businesses from San Diego to the Oregon
border faced outages, blamed on the same factors that collided to force
blackouts Monday ) unseasonably warm weather, reduced electricity imports
from the Pacific Northwest, numerous power plants offline for repairs and
less power provided by cash-strapped alternative-energy plants.
Five rounds of outages in San Diego affected about 74,000 customers. State
power grid officials expected to have enough electricity to avoid further
outages through at least Wednesday, although the supply remained tight.
State power regulators working on energy rescue
Federal regulators scored for not ordering more California refunds
?
Gov. Gray Davis blamed the blackouts in part on the failure of Southern
California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to pay millions of dollars
they owe "qualifying facilities," power suppliers that use cogeneration )
steam from manufacturing plus natural gas ) or solar, wind and other
renewable energy to generate electricity.
State power grid officials say California this week has lost about half the
electricity QFs normally provide. Several cogeneration plants say they
haven't been paid by Edison and PG&E for weeks and can't afford to buy
natural gas to fuel their plants.
Davis said the utilities are taking in money from customers but still failing
to pay the QFs. The state has been spending about $45 million a day since
January to buy power for customers of Edison and PG&E, which are so
credit-poor that suppliers refuse to sell to them.
"It's wrong and irresponsible of the utilities to pocket this money and not
pay the generators," Davis said at a Capitol news conference Tuesday evening.
"They've acted irresponsibly and immorally and it has to stop."
Southern California Edison officials said in a written statement that the
utility is intent on paying creditors and working with the PUC to pay QFs for
future power sales. PG&E representatives were out of the office late Tuesday
night and didn't immediately return calls from The Associated Press seeking
comment.
John Harrison of the Northwest Power Planning Council, a consortium that
monitors power use in several Western states, said blackouts on the first day
of spring are an ominous sign of what lies ahead this summer.
"We're in trouble," he said. "We will likely be able to meet our needs this
summer, but there won't be much to send to California."
Tuesday's outages began at 9:30 a.m. PST and continued in 90-minute waves
until about 2 p.m., when the Independent System Operator lifted its blackout
order.
Grid officials credited an influx of power from the Glen Canyon hydroelectric
plant on the Utah-Arizona border.
The blackouts were blamed for at least one serious traffic accident.
Two cars collided at an intersection without traffic lights in the Los
Angeles suburb of South El Monte, leaving two people with serious injuries,
California Highway Patrol Officer Nick Vite said.
Ventura Foods in Industry sent its employees out for an early lunch after
blackouts shut down its phones and computers.
"This is mild weather for this time of year. I don't know what's going to
happen in the summer," manager Frank Hynes said. "This is going to have a
serious impact on the state's economy. They can't just keep shutting people
down."
Statewide, demand was higher than expected because of warm spring weather.
Temperatures reached record highs across California on Monday, including the
80s and low 90s in Southern California. They were expected to be somewhat
lower Tuesday but still in the 70s and 80s.
The ISO hoped demand would start to subside and conservation would kick in,
but that did not happen Tuesday morning.
"We have not seen the kind of conservation we saw back in January," when the
first blackouts hit, ISO spokesman Patrick Dorinson said. "If we don't have
conservation efforts, that just means that's more power we have to take off
the grid."
In San Francisco's Chinatown, souvenir shops normally bustling with visitors
were forced to shut down. Nearby, irritated customers waited for a bank to
reopen.
"It's no good for anybody ) stores or businesses or people," said Yin Sun
Chan, among those in line.
PG&E, the state's largest utility, accounted for most of the customers
affected.
At least 438,000 PG&E residential and business customers were affected as of
early afternoon, spokesman Ron Low said.
Edison cut power to about 50,000 customers. Edison was ordered to cut less
power than PG&E and saved some due to conservation programs, including one
that lets the utility shut off air conditioning for 118,500 residential and
business customers when the power supply is tight.
About 73,400 San Diego Gas & Electric customers were hit by the blackouts.
Los Angeles, whose municipal utility is not on the grid that serves most of
California, wasn't included in the blackout order.
More than 1 million homes and businesses statewide experienced outages
Monday.
California's power crisis is expected to get even worse this summer, when
temperatures soar and residents crank their air conditioning.
Natural gas supplies are tight, water supplies are down and the state is
spending tens of millions of dollars each day to buy electricity for Edison
and PG&E, who say they are nearly bankrupt due to high wholesale power costs.
Edison and PG&E say they have lost more than $13 billion since last June to
climbing wholesale electricity prices the state's 1996 deregulation law
prevents them from recouping from ratepayers.
Adding to the problems, the state this week lost about 3,100 megawatts from
QFs. One megawatt is enough power to serve about 750 households.
The plants say they are owed about $1 billion for past sales to PG&E and
Edison.
PG&E said it is offering to prepay the QFs starting next month to get them
back in operation. Negotiations were expected to continue Wednesday.
California Co-Generation Council attorney Jerry Bloom said he supports
proposals that will get the Qfs paid, but the promise of future payments may
not be enough.
PG&E and Bloom said the utility's prepayments hinge on an upcoming Public
Utilities Commission decision on whether the utility's rates are sufficient
to pay its bills and cover the state's power purchases on its behalf, which
amount to $4.2 billion since early January.
Davis said the PUC planned to issue a draft order late Tuesday directing the
utilities to pay their future QF bills.
It plans to take action on that order next Tuesday, Davis said. The
Legislature plans to approve a bill in the meantime giving the PUC the
authority to issue such an order and fine the utilities if they fail to
comply, he said.
Davis said he is confident the utilities and the state can pay their bills
without further rate increases for Edison and PG&E customers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
State power regulators working on energy rescue
By Karen Gaudette
ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 20, 2001
SAN FRANCISCO ) State power regulators continue to delay the release of
guidelines that will determine a portion of the money the Department of Water
Resources can recoup from financially troubled utilities for electricity it
has bought on their customers' behalf.
These guidelines will help the water department determine whether it must
raise consumer power rates to reimburse the state for the more than $3
billion it has committed to buying electricity.
Assemblyman Fred Keeley, D-Boulder Creek, said Tuesday that the Public
Utilities Commission would likely have to raise rates by 15 percent to cover
the state's costs and the utilities' bills.
The PUC guidelines were most recently delayed by a letter from DWR Director
Thomas Hannigan asking that the water department receive a percentage of
ratepayer money collected by the utilities equal to the percentage of
electricity it provides to utilities.
The DWR currently buys around 40 percent of the power used by Pacific Gas and
Electric Co., Southern California Edison Co. and San Diego Gas and Electric.
Under the DWR's proposal the utilities would have to hand over 40 percent of
the money they continue to collect from ratepayers.
The DWR would then also receive whatever money remains after the utilities
subtract their own generation and long-term contract costs, the letter said.
That amount would become the "California Procurement Adjustment" ) an amount
that will help the state retrieve money spent on power purchases and help
establish the size of state revenue bonds that are currently estimated to
total $10 billion.
The state plans to issue the bonds in May to help pay off the more than $3
billion Gov. Gray Davis' administration has committed to power purchases
since January to help the utilities climb out of debt.
Ron Low, a spokesman with PG&E, said the utility objects to paying the DWR
such a large sum, claiming it would interfere with efforts to pay its
"qualifying facilities" ) power plants that use the sun, wind, biomass or
natural gas to generate about one third of the state's electricity.
The nearly bankrupt utilities owe the QFs more than $1 billion for
electricity they have produced since November, said Jan Smutney-Jones,
executive director of the Independent Energy Producers.
Hannigan also said in the letter the DWR intends to use its authority to
raise consumer electricity rates to recoup any money not reimbursed through
the CPA and other means.
The Public Utilities Commission expected to release the guidelines last week,
but was delayed by debates over legislation that would slash the rates of
environmentally friendly power plants under contract to provide electricity
to the investor-owned utilities.
Without knowing how much ratepayer money the utilities need to pay these
"qualifying facilities" for future electricity, it's unknown how much money
they'll have on hand to pay the DWR.
In a written statement, PUC Administrative Law Judge Joseph DeUlloa said that
he would issue a temporary decision on the CPA "as soon as is practical."
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison Co. say they have
lost more than $13 billion since last June to climbing wholesale electricity
prices that the state's 1996 deregulation law prevents them from recouping
from ratepayers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Federal regulators scored for not ordering more California refunds
By H. Josef Hebert
ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 20, 2001
WASHINGTON ) House Democrats asked federal energy regulators Tuesday why they
are not going more aggressively after alleged overcharges for wholesale
electricity in California and ordering more refunds.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has asked suppliers to justify $124
million in sales during the first two months of the year or refund the money,
but critics charge that thousands of additional questionable sales are not
being challenged.
The three commissioners testifying at a hearing of the House Commerce
subcommittee on energy, were asked why they limited their refund demands to
only power sales that occurred during so-called Stage 3 alerts of acute power
shortages in California.
"It appears to me a price is unreasonable when it is unreasonable," and not
just during a power alert, said Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia, the panels'
ranking Democrat.
The commission last week ordered six power generators to justify some 1,000
transactions during February in the California market whenever the price was
above $430 per megawatt hour and occurred during a Stage 3 emergency alert.
But the lawmakers were told Tuesday that 56 percent of another 14,168
transactions, occurring outside a Stage 3 emergency, also exceeded the $430
trigger, but are not being questioned.
"The line was drawn to limit the scope of the refund," said agency
commissioner William Massey, a Democrat, who strongly opposed the refund
actions because he said they were too limited.
Chairman Curtis Hebert, a Republican, defended the way the commission decide
on what transactions to challenge saying that it sought to replicate market
conditions as they existed at the time of the sales.
"We deserve a better explanation," retorted Boucher.
Massey said that agency's investigation of overcharges for January also
failed to consider thousands of transactions that exceeded the refund trigger
because they did not occur during Stage 3 supply emergencies.
Managers of California's electricity grid, state regulators and utilities
have accused the agency of refusing to aggressively investigate price gouging
by wholesalers who have charged from $150 to $565 per megawatt hour, as much
as 20 times what prices were in 1999.
While Hebert and commissioner Linda Breathitt defended the commissioners
attempt to investigate whole electricity prices, Massey has been highly
critical.
What message does the agency's scrutiny of prices send to the power
companies? he was asked.
"It makes clear FERC is going to be looking for the wallet under the lamp
post with the lights shining ) and nowhere else," replied Massey.
Meanwhile, Massey and his two fellow commissioners, also disagreed sharply on
whether the energy agency should impose temporary price controls on the
wholesale power market in the West to dampen further expected price increases
this summer.
Massey said he fears "a disasters in the making" if some price restraints are
not imposed by FERC, which regulates wholesale electricity sales. "We need a
temporary time out," he said.
But Massey is in the minority on the commission. Both Hebert and Breathitt
are against price caps, arguing they will have long-term detrimental impact
on power supply.
The Bush administration has made its opposition to interfering in the
wholesale markets well known for weeks. Vice President Dick Cheney's task
force is to unveil an energy plan in about a month that is expected to lean
heavily on energy production.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Second Day of Blackouts Disrupts 500,000 Homes and Businesses
Power: Grid operators say the shortage should ease in the next few days, but
officials see a grim summer.
By MITCHELL LANDSBERG and ERIC BAILEY, Times Staff Writers
A traffic signal that stopped working during Tuesday's rolling blackouts led
to this collision be tween a car and a truck at an intersection in El Monte.
The outages ran from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. AP
?????Electricity blackouts rolled through California for a second straight
day Tuesday, disrupting business in one of the world's most technologically
advanced economies and leaving schoolchildren groping in the dark.
?????Jinxed by a combination of bad luck and bad decisions, utilities were
forced to cut off power to more than half a million homes and businesses from
San Diego to the Oregon border.
?????By day's end, there was some good news from the operators of the
statewide power grid, who said the situation had eased and appeared likely to
improve for the next few days. And Gov. Gray Davis announced a proposed
solution to one vexing problem: the utilities' failure to pay the state's
small, alternative power generators, many of whom have stopped producing
power as a result.
?????Davis called the utilities "shameful" for failing to pay, and praised
the alternative power generators, which include solar, wind and geothermal
energy producers, as "good corporate citizens" who produced power although
they weren't being paid.
?????"We are anxious to pay the [small producers], who are dropping like
flies," Davis said.
?????Despite the progress, it was hard for some people to look on the bright
side after enduring outages that took place when the state's hunger for power
was almost 50% less than at its summer peak.
?????"This is a taste, almost like an appetizer, of a really unpalatable meal
that's going to be served up this summer," said Michael Shames of the Utility
Consumers' Action Network in San Diego, himself a victim of a rolling
blackout that hit his office in San Diego early Tuesday.
?????Power officials have warned that this could be a grim summer in
California, since demand for electricity sharply rises when people turn on
air conditioners. The state has been struggling to meet its power needs in
recent months because of rising prices and a flawed deregulation plan that
has left the two biggest private utilities on the brink of bankruptcy. State
leaders have so far failed to agree on a comprehensive plan to solve the
problems.
Wally Quirk teaches a business class in a borrowed classroom Tuesday at
Sonoma State after the state's rolling blackouts cut the power to his usual
classroom, which does not have any windows.
SCOTT MANCHESTER / The Press Democrat
?????The latest round of blackouts began about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday when the
California Independent System Operator, which runs the statewide grid,
determined that the demand for electricity was 500 megawatts more than the
supply--an imbalance that meant the state was short on the power needed to
supply electricity to about 375,000 homes.
?????Grid operators blamed a confluence of events, including warmer weather;
outages at several major power plants, including one unit of the San Onofre
nuclear power station; a reduction in imports from the Pacific Northwest, and
the shutdown of many alternative energy producers. Similar blackouts Monday
were the first since January.
?????The situation improved somewhat by late Tuesday morning, with some
supplies restored and Californians conserving energy, and Cal-ISO was able to
halt the rolling blackouts at 2 p.m.
?????Once again, customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
were spared, although the municipally owned utility said its electrical
surplus was smaller than usual. The DWP, like Southern California Edison, was
affected by an outage at the huge Mohave power plant in Nevada, as well as by
planned outages at several of its facilities.
?????As in the past, by far the biggest impact was felt by customers served
by Pacific Gas & Electric, the state's largest utility, which cut power to
438,000 homes and businesses.
?????Edison cut power to 47,462 customers in about 40 cities, but eventually
was able to avoid blackouts by shutting off the air conditioners of some of
the 118,500 customers who participate in a voluntary cutoff program.
?????San Diego Gas & Electric cut power to 73,400 customers.
?????Innovative Ways of Coping
?????As on Monday, most people took the outages in stride, as an annoying but
ultimately unavoidable inconvenience.
?????In Palmdale, four schools lost power during one of the hourlong
blackouts, but teachers and students pressed on in the sunlight pouring
through windows and skylights. At Barrel Springs Elementary, Principal Cruz
Earls said the biggest problem came when students had to go to the bathroom:
Hand in hand, they made their way through darkened hallways with flashlights.
?????All in all, it wasn't a terrible experience. Then again, the weather
wasn't that hot Tuesday, with a high of 79 in Palmdale, so the shutdown of
air conditioners wasn't much of a hardship. "I don't want to think about the
conditions this could create in May or June," Earls said.
?????Businesses of all kinds complained about the lack of warning for the
outages--and sometimes found innovative ways to get around the problem.
?????Rattled by news reports of Monday's rolling blackouts, El Burrito
Mexican Food Products in the city of Industry started its Tuesday shift at 2
a.m. to beat the clock in the event of an outage. That hunch paid off.
Workers had just finished cooking and packaging the last batches of salsa and
masa when the lights went out at 10:20 a.m.
?????Company owner Mark Roth said the firm will continue working odd hours to
avoid further outages. But he isn't buying the line from the utilities that
they can't provide advance warning because of concerns about looting and
rioting.
?????"We're ready to do whatever it takes to get through this thing," he
said. "But they've got to give us some notification."
?????At Big O Tires in Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento, owner Daniel Crum
had his 14 workers take an early lunch break or head to the warehouse to
reorganize the goods. Without electricity, they couldn't repair brakes or
align front ends.
?????"I'd never let them be idle," said Crum.
?????At least two minor traffic accidents were blamed on the outages.
?????The blackouts resulted from a convergence of factors.
?????Demand was slightly higher than expected, probably because of
unseasonably warm weather. Supplies were tighter than usual, in part because
of several outages, including that at the Mohave plant, half of which was
brought back on line by the end of the day.
?????The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station was still limping along
without power from one of its two 1,100-megawatt units, which was shut down
Feb. 3 after a half-hour fire in a nonnuclear part of the plant. Edison,
which operates San Onofre, initially estimated the unit would be out for
several weeks but recently said "extensive damage" to parts of the turbine
will keep the unit out of commission until mid-June.
?????Shipments from the drought-stricken Pacific Northwest, which generates
most of its electricity from large dams, were also down.
?????"Each time we take a measurement, we're closer to the all-time record
for the driest year," said Dulcy Mahar, spokeswoman for the Bonneville Power
Administration, the network of federal dams that provides the region with
much of its electricity. "We've been doing what we can, but we simply don't
have power to sell."
?????Finally, there was the problem of the small and alternative energy
producers, which have shut down plants because they haven't been paid by the
private utilities since November. Those outages have cost the state about
3,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for about 2.3 million homes.
?????"You're seeing the system freeze up," said David Sokol, chairman and CEO
of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., which runs eight geothermal plants in the
Imperial Valley through its subsidiary, CalEnergy. His company hasn't shut
down yet, but Sokol said smaller companies couldn't continue to sell their
energy to utilities for free.
?????"Why should we fund Edison?" he asked. "That's just ridiculous."
?????A Choice of 2 Rate Plans
?????Davis joined lawmakers in the Capitol on Tuesday to outline his plan to
get the producers running again. He said utilities have had no right to
collect money from ratepayers and then not use the funds to repay the small
producers. The state has spent billions to buy power from large conventional
producers on behalf of the utilities but has refused to pick up the tab for
alternative energy.
?????"The utilities acted in a shameful manner by putting money in their
pockets that was designed to pay the [small producers]," Davis said.
?????The plan outlined by Davis would allow the generators to choose between
two rate plans. They could decide to be paid 7.9 cents per kilowatt-hour over
five years or 6.9 cents a kilowatt-hour over 10 years.
?????The utilities must begin paying the generators the new rates beginning
April 1 or face fines, Davis said.
?????The question of how the companies will get paid the about $1.5 billion
they are owed remains unresolved. That issue will be decided in coming weeks
as Davis' negotiators continue to work on rescue plans for the state's
financially hobbled private utilities.
?????PG&E spokesman Ron Low said the state's largest utility did not take
kindly to Davis' criticism, and noted that the governor's plan is similar to
a proposal that PG&E made last week to producers.
?????Jan Smutny-Jones, executive director of a trade group that includes some
of the small generators, described the plan as a positive step.
?????"The governor got it right in that it's not acceptable for small power
producers to continue to generate and not be paid," Smutny-Jones said. "But
we'll need to see what the order says; the devil will truly be in the
details."
?????Grid operators said the state's overall energy situation eased by midday
Tuesday because of repairs at the Mohave plant and another large plant at
Ormond Beach, and because the Western Area Power Administration came up with
300 megawatts of electricity from Glen Canyon Dam.
?????Also, grid spokesman Patrick Dorinson said conservation savings spiked
upward after earlier complaints that Californians weren't conserving.
?????"We saw the people of California probably conserve 900 megawatts today,"
he said. "That was probably the difference."
---
?????Times staff writers Andrew Blankstein, Jose Cardenas, Marla Dickerson,
Noaki Schwartz, Nicholas Riccardi, Doug Smith, Rebecca Trounson and Richard
Winton in Los Angeles, Miguel Bustillo and Julie Tamaki in Sacramento, Maria
La Ganga in San Francisco, Stanley Allison, Matt Ebnet, Scott Martelle,
Dennis McLellan, Monte Morin, Jason Song, Mai Tran and Nancy Wride in Orange
County, and Richard Simon in Washington contributed to this story.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Fragile Supply Network Apt to Fail
By JENIFER WARREN and ERIC BAILEY, Times Staff Writers
?????A lot of people were caught off guard by the blackouts that swept over
California this week. Debra Bowen wasn't one of them.
?????As chairwoman of the state Senate Energy Committee, she is
intimately--and painfully--familiar with the state's energy supply. And she
is willing to share a secret: It's a fragile system, capable of collapse at
any time.
?????That knowledge keeps Bowen awake at night, particularly with the
approach of summer, when power demand surges as Californians get reacquainted
with their air conditioners.
?????"I sound a bit less like Chicken Little today, don't I?" Bowen said
Tuesday, as chunks of the state once again were forcibly darkened. "I know a
lot of people don't feel we have a problem. But we have a very, very big
problem."
?????With the recent slowdown in Stage 3 emergencies, a sense of calm had
settled over the energy debate, and even some legislators were speaking with
guarded optimism about the hot months ahead.
?????On Tuesday, however, a creeping sense of doom was almost palpable among
energy watchers, and previous supply forecasts--which predict that the state
may yet escape summer blackouts--were being given a second look.
?????"The outages of the last two days are something that Californians are
going to have to get used to for July and August," said Michael Zenker,
California director of Cambridge Energy Research Associates. The
Massachusetts consulting firm is predicting about 20 hours of blackouts this
summer.
?????At the California Independent System Operator, which manages 75% of the
statewide power grid, officials said the energy cushion the state had in
recent weeks was, in some ways, a phantom caused by heavy imports of power.
?????Cal-ISO spokesman Patrick Dorinson said people may have been deluded
into a false state of comfort: "Maybe there is a tendency to think things
have improved," he said. In fact, they haven't.
?????More than anything, this week's events illustrate the delicate balance
of factors that keep California illuminated, from the multitude of supply
sources to the weather.
?????Temperatures were higher than usual. Alternative-energy suppliers--who
haven't been paid in months by the cash-strapped utilities--cut their output.
Suppliers in the Northwest--which faces a drought--slashed exports. Equipment
breakdowns and maintenance at power plants--much of it unanticipated--took
13,000 megawatts offline. A utility-run program that gives businesses
discounts in exchange for cutting power during emergencies is all but dead.
?????"The fragility of the system is such that a small perturbation can turn
everything upside down very easily," said Gary Ackerman, executive director
of the Western Power Trading Forum, a group of electricity generators and
traders.
?????One factor receiving particular attention is the dip in supply caused by
unscheduled maintenance. To help officials predict available supply,
generators provide an annual maintenance plan that is updated regularly.
?????In addition, however, facilities sometimes shut down for unexpected
reasons: leaking tubes, burnt-out transformers, cracked turbines and faulty
feed pumps. At one point Tuesday, about 8,200 megawatts were unavailable
because of unscheduled shutdowns. That's enough to supply about 6 million
households, and up from 5,700 megawatts a week ago.
?????The huge 1,400-megawatt Mohave power plant near Laughlin, Nev., which
supplies Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power, was felled Monday by a transformer problem. That was enough to
push the state into blackouts.
?????A growing number of skeptics, however, question whether those reasons
are always valid, accusing generators of withholding power to shrink supply
and drive up prices.
?????"There's no way to verify it, so you've got to take their word for it,"
said Frank Wolak, a Stanford University economist who studies California's
electricity market. "And given that it's very profitable for these things to
occur, you start to wonder if they're creating an artificial scarcity."
?????Tom Williams of Duke Energy said the Houston-based company is working
hard to keep its California power plants, which are capable of producing
3,351 megawatts of electricity, in operation after months of near-continuous
operation.
?????"It's like riding a moped across the country," he said. "They're just
not meant to run this hard."
?????Last week, the state Senate formed a committee to investigate charges of
market manipulation by power suppliers. The chairman, state Sen. Joe Dunn
(D-Santa Ana), says the issue of unscheduled plant shutdowns is on his agenda.
?????"The problem is: How does one prove that a particular outage was part of
a deliberate strategy to deprive the state of kilowatts, rather than a result
of normal business operations?" Dunn said.
---
?????Times staff writer Nancy Rivera Brooks contributed to this story.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Elevator Anxiety Is Riding High
Emergencies: Workers in skyscrapers worry about blackouts trapping them in
their buildings. Some take the risk in stride; others make plans to take the
stairs.
By JOHN M. GLIONNA and JOE MOZINGO, Times Staff Writers
?????SAN FRANCISCO--In Susan Clifton's highly placed opinion, sunny Tuesday
would have been a picture-perfect day to work atop one of the tallest
buildings in San Francisco, a scenic city littered with soaring skyscrapers.
?????But Clifton--like many other high-rise office dwellers in blackout-prone
parts of California--couldn't help but feel some high anxiety at the prospect
of being stranded by electrical outages that were sweeping across the state
for a second day.
?????"I think about it all the time," said Clifton, a 21-year-old
receptionist at Deutsche Bank's offices on the 48th floor of a tower in the
city's financial district who recently moved from rural Virginia. "The way I
see it, Californians take a lot of things on faith, working atop tall
buildings with all these earthquakes and power outages."
?????For Long Beach office worker Dave Suhada, the anxiety has taken the form
of elevator phobia: a fear of getting stuck on an 80-degree day crammed in a
pod of sweating, heavy-breathing humans, with no way out.
?????"I'm just eyeing the buttons to see which one I could push as fast as I
can if the power goes out," he said.
?????For 20-year-old Lisa Riley, it means entering the elevator each day in
her Long Beach office building with a prayer. "I just could not get stuck for
an hour and a half," she said, nodding nervously. Often she now opts for the
stairs.
?????In San Francisco, emergency services officials say that most of the
city's office buildings are equipped with backup generators to run elevators
and security equipment in the event of a blackout.
?????Fire Department spokesman Pete House said the city has 19 trucks with
experts trained to extricate people trapped in elevators. Firefighters
handling blackout-related emergencies rescued a person trapped in a downtown
building Tuesday and handled five elevator mishaps Monday.
?????Christopher Stafford didn't get caught inside an elevator Monday, but
suffered the next-worst thing: being stranded in his 15th-floor apartment
after the power failed when he went home for lunch.
?????So the 41-year-old real estate worker trooped down the stairs to the
lobby and even made some new friends along the way, helping a few elderly
women who were struggling down the stairs.
?????"It was a pain," he acknowledged. "But I have to tell you: I really like
my panoramic view, so it's worth the hassle."
?????Nowadays, Sherrie Tellier makes sure her cellular phone is in hand when
she gets in the elevator. She got trapped once before, and the emergency
phone didn't work. It's amazing, she said, how small an elevator seems when
you can't get out. "It's like a broom closet.Now there's a sigh of relief
every time the door opens."
?????Some high-rise office workers said Tuesday that they preferred not to
think about the perils of going without power and being vulnerable and
isolated so high up.
?????But on the 42nd floor of San Francisco's Transamerica Tower, Sasha
Monpere wasn't fazed by the chance that during a blackout, her building's
backup generators wouldn't kick in.
?????"Hey, I'm young and I'm healthy. I can always walk down the stairs,"
said the 29-year-old receptionist. "I've done the Statue of Liberty. It can't
be any worse than that. And walking down 42 flights is a lot easier than
walking up all those stairs."
?????Likewise with Phil Ip, who works on the 52nd--and top--floor of San
Francisco's tallest skyscraper. The 25-year restaurant veteran says he has
the utmost faith in modern technology.
?????"We're safe, even up here," said Ip, assistant general manager of the
Carnelian Room, a restaurant atop the Bank of America building. "You should
see the engineer's room in this building. It's like a big steamship. They're
equipped for anything that could happen."
?????One floor below, Cheryl Martin hears every day about people's fear of
heights. In the year since she began answering phones in a law office, she
has often escorted clients afraid of express elevators that shudder and rise
so fast that passengers' ears pop from the altitude gain.
?????"Everybody, and I mean everybody, asks, 'So, what happens during a power
outage?' " she said.
?????Rory Thompson said he believes in karma and is sure that if the rolling
blackouts come calling, his office will be spared. In July 1993, Thompson's
building was the site of an incident known as the 101 California St.
massacre, in which gunman Gian Luigi Ferri killed eight people and wounded
six before killing himself.
?????"This building has already had its bad day," he said. "They say that the
day after a crash is the safest day to ride an airline. So I'll take my
chances with the rolling blackouts."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Says It's Accelerating Plan to Buy Power Utilities' Grid
Government: Talks with Edison are reported near completion, but agreement
with heavily indebted PG&E has a way to go.
By RONE TEMPEST and DAN MORAIN, Times Staff Writers
?????SACRAMENTO--As blackouts hit California for a second day Tuesday, a key
consultant to Gov. Gray Davis said negotiations to buy the power grid owned
by the state's largest utilities "are proceeding at an accelerated pace."
?????Wall Street consultant Joseph Fichera said talks with Southern
California Edison could be wrapped up within days, although those with PG&E
are much less advanced.
?????The administration and PG&E have not reached even an agreement in
principle, he said. PG&E, which has more debt than Edison, says its
transmission lines are more extensive than those of its Southern California
counterpart.
?????The state wants to buy the utilities' transmission lines and other
assets for about $7 billion to provide cash to the utilities, help stabilize
the electricity supply and ease the power crunch that has plagued California
for months. To research the grid purchase, Fichera said, the state has had to
pore over 80,000 documents just to assess the utilities' liabilities.
?????"We are working at a good pace," said Fichera, chief executive of the
New York firm Saber Partners. " . . . If we get to a deal-breaker, it might
be longer."
?????By making Fichera, who is also a consultant to the Texas Public
Utilities Commission, available to reporters Tuesday, the Davis
administration was clearly trying to reassure the public that progress is
being made on the governor's plan to pull the state out of the crisis.
?????Since mid-January, when the big utilities' credit failed and suppliers
stopped selling to them, the state has spent nearly $3 billion buying
electricity from a handful of large suppliers in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and
North Carolina. Not a cent has gone to the hundreds of alternative energy
suppliers in California who provide about a quarter of the state's
electricity.
?????The Monday and Tuesday blackouts occurred partly because many of the
cash-strapped alternative suppliers, including solar, biomass and wind power
units, cut their normal supply to the system in half. They say Edison and
PG&E have not paid them since November; the utilities say they are out of
cash.
?????Assemblyman Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek) said the plight of the
alternative suppliers has dragged on because of the complexity of dealing
with "almost 700 individual contractors."
?????Another delaying factor, said Keeley, who with state Sen. Jim Battin
(R-La Quinta) worked for almost three months to come up with a legislative
plan to lower the small producers' prices, was "the huge enmity . . .
manifested between the utilities and the qualifying facilities. These people
just don't like each other."
?????This week's blackouts provided two painful lessons for the Davis
administration:
?????* When it comes to electricity, size doesn't matter--every kilowatt
counts. During peak use, a small wind power facility in Riverside County can
make the difference between full power and blackouts.
?????* There is no such thing as a partial solution. Unless the whole energy
equation is balanced, the parts don't work.
?????For the Davis plan to work, several key elements need to come together
or utility customers will almost certainly face rate increases above the 19%
already set in motion:
?????* The cost of power purchased by the state must be reduced through
long-term contracts with the big out-of-state producers.
?????These contracts, the details of which the Davis administration has kept
confidential, are still being negotiated by Davis consultant Vikram Budhraja
of the Pasadena firm Electric Power Group. The administration says it has
concluded 40 contracts with generators, about half of which have been signed.
?????According to the most recent statistics released by the Department of
Water Resources, which buys power for the state, current prices are still
well above the rate state Treasurer Phil Angelides says is necessary for a
planned $10-billion bond offering to succeed.
?????The bonds, set for sale in May, will be used to reimburse the state for
the money it will have spent by that time to buy electricity. The state is
currently spending at a rate of $58 million a day to buy power. If prices
stay high, the $10 billion in bonds will not cover the state's power
purchases by the end of the summer.
?????Angelides says he cannot proceed with bridge financing for the bonds
until the Public Utilities Commission devises a formula to guarantee that a
portion of utility bills will be dedicated to bond repayment. Angelides has
estimated that, under the January law that put the state in the power buying
business, the state must be reimbursed $2.5 billion annually, and that $1.3
billion is needed to service the debt.
?????PUC Administrative Law Judge Joseph R. DeUlloa is expected to announce
his ruling on the reimbursement rate later this week, leading to a PUC vote
on the matter as early as next week.
?????* The rates charged for electricity by the alternative producers, known
as qualifying facilities, must be cut at least in half, down from an average
of more than 17 cents per kilowatt-hour. In his news conference Tuesday,
Davis said he will ask the PUC to set QF rates at 6.9 cents for 10-year
contracts and 7.5 cents for five-year contracts.
?????Meanwhile, PUC Chairman Loretta Lynch, a Davis appointee, said Tuesday
that the commission will vote next week on a proposed order requiring
Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric to pay the QFs for
electricity in the future. Lynch said a recent PUC assessment showed that the
utilities have enough cash on hand for that.
?????"We are trying to make sure the folks providing the power get paid,"
Lynch said. "The qualified facilities have demonstrated that they haven't
been paid and that it is impairing their ability to provide power."
?????The utilities contend that if they pay the small providers what they owe
them, there will not be enough money left to pay other creditors.
?????"There is not enough money in the current rate structure to pay the
[alternative producers], pay the [Department of Water Resources] and pay the
utilities for their generation," said John Nelson, a spokesman for PG&E.
?????* The utilities must sell to the state the power they produce
themselves, mainly from hydro and nuclear sources, at a rate only slightly
above the cost of producing it. This is tied to the ongoing negotiations
between the Davis administration and the utilities to restore the
near-bankrupt utilities to solvency.
---
?????Times staff writers Julie Tamaki, Miguel Bustillo and Tim Reiterman
contributed to this report.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.A., Long Beach File Suits Over Gas Companies' Prices
Energy: Separate actions allege a conspiracy and gouging. Suppliers blame
rising demand and a fluctuating market.
By TINA DAUNT and DAN WEIKEL, Times Staff Writers
?????Seeking damages that could reach "into the billions of dollars," the
cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Tuesday filed separate lawsuits
alleging that a coalition of gas companies illegally conspired to eliminate
competition, drive up natural gas prices and discourage the construction of
electricity generating plants in California.
?????Officials from the two cities alleged that Southern California Gas Co.,
San Diego Gas & Electric and El Paso Natural Gas Co. violated the state's
antitrust law and engaged in unfair and fraudulent business practices that
caused gas prices to skyrocket.
?????The cities are the first California municipalities to take action
against the gas companies. A number of similar lawsuits filed by antitrust
attorneys, state regulators and private citizens are pending elsewhere.
?????The energy companies deny any impropriety. They contend that California
is the victim of its own soaring electricity demand and overreliance on
fluctuating spot markets for natural gas.
?????"The conspiracy theories that have been promoted have no basis in
reality," said Denise King, spokeswoman for Southern California Gas' parent
company, Sempra Energy, which also was named in the suits. "Southern
California Gas continues to look out for the best interest of its customers."
?????The lawsuits filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court accuse the
companies of conspiring to manipulate the price of natural gas by agreeing to
kill pipeline projects that would have brought ample supplies of cheaper
natural gas to Southern California.
?????They allege that executives for the energy companies made the pact
during a meeting in a Phoenix hotel room five years ago to discuss
"opportunities" arising from the state's newly deregulated electricity market.
?????"The fulfillment of the illicit plan has had devastating effects on
Southern California gas consumers," according to Los Angeles' suit. "Gas
prices in the Southern California market have skyrocketed, and the Southern
California gas consumers are paying the highest prices in the nation."
?????In recent months, natural gas prices have tripled across the nation for
a number of reasons, including a shortage of supplies to meet demands for
home heating. Prices have increased far more in California, where natural gas
is a central factor in the state's energy crisis. The state relies on the
clean-burning fuel to generate half its electrical power.
?????"This not only led to price-gouging of all natural gas consumers, from
homeowners to government to industry, but it contributed to the current
electrical power crisis in California," said City Atty. James K. Hahn, a
mayoral candidate who urged the City Council to pursue the case.
?????Chris Garner, Long Beach's utility director, said that since November,
the average residential bill for gas in Long Beach has more than doubled, to
$175 a month. Some customers, he said, have seen rate increases of 500%.
?????"The people of Long Beach are being gouged by energy conglomerates who
are artificially manipulating the supply of natural gas and reaping excess
profits at the expense of the public," said City Attorney Robert Shannon.
?????Holding a special meeting, the Los Angeles City Council voted 12 to 0
Tuesday to file the suit.
?????"If the allegations are true, they are extremely serious," said
Councilman Mike Feuer, who is a candidate to succeed Hahn as city attorney.
"And there appears to be some important evidence that substantiates the
allegations in the complaint, which means that this lawsuit is, I think, more
than a viable lawsuit."
?????Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas added: "We cannot tolerate this and we
must use the full weight of the law to try to correct it."
?????A growing number of lawsuits around the state are targeting California's
natural gas suppliers. El Paso Corp., which owns the main pipeline
transporting out-of-state gas to Southern California, has been targeted
repeatedly by utility companies, state regulators and antitrust attorneys.
?????Some of the first antitrust lawsuits were filed against Sempra Energy in
December. They were brought by Continental Forge Co., a Compton-based
aluminum forging business, and Andrew and Andrea Berg, who own a business in
San Diego.
?????The cities' lawsuits request that the defendant companies be barred from
such conduct in the future, and they seek civil penalties and damages.
?????Shannon estimates that Long Beach could collect more than $100 million
in damages, including triple penalties for antitrust violations.
?????"We are filing this for our citizens," Shannon said. "They include the
poor, the elderly, people living on fixed incomes and small business owners."
?????The Los Angeles suit was filed on behalf of all Californians. Officials
place damage estimates "in the billions."
?????Hahn, however, warned council members that it could take the city a year
or more to resolve the suit.
?????"Lawsuits take time," Hahn said. "We are hopeful we can enter into
meaningful discovery to disclose what's been going on."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Davis OKs Subsidy of Pollution Fees
Smog: As part of secret deal to get long-term energy contracts, state would
pay for some of the credits that allow excess power plant emissions. Critics
renew call for full disclosure.
By DAN MORAIN , Times Staff Writer
?????SACRAMENTO--As part of his closed-door negotiations to buy electricity,
Gov. Gray Davis has agreed to relieve some generators from having to pay
potentially millions of dollars in fees for emitting pollutants into the air,
Davis said Tuesday.
?????Davis announced two weeks ago that his negotiators had reached deals
with 20 generators to supply $43 billion worth of power during the next 10
years.
?????However, the Democratic governor has refused to release any of the
contracts or detail various terms, contending that release of such
information would hamper the state's ability to negotiate deals with other
generators and therefore ultimately would raise prices Californians pay for
electricity.
?????Sources familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of
anonymity, said the agreement reached with Dynegy Inc., a power company based
in Houston, is one that includes language requiring that the state pay the
cost of credits that allow emissions. Dynegy spokesman Steve Stengel declined
to discuss the company's deal with the state.
?????"We couldn't get them to sign contracts; it was a sticking point," Davis
said of the decision to pay the fees of some generators. "We had to lock down
some power so we were not totally dependent on the spot market."
?????The fees in question are part of an emission trading system known as
RECLAIM. Under the system, companies are allotted a certain amount of
allowable pollution. If their operations pollute more, companies are required
to purchase credits on an open market. Currently the credits cost about $45
per pound of pollution--an amount that can lead to a bill of well over $10
million a year for a power plant.
?????The South Coast Air Quality Management District, which regulates
pollution in the Los Angeles Basin, is considering steps to significantly
lower the cost of the system--a step that could considerably cut the state's
potential cost, Davis said.
?????Senate Energy Committee Chairwoman Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey)
defended the decision to cover the power company's costs.
?????"It is a question of whether it brings down the price of power," she
said. "If it brings down the price of power, I don't have a problem with it."
?????Nevertheless, word that the contracts could bind the state to pay
pollution fees caused some critics of Davis' policy to renew calls for Davis
to reconsider the secrecy surrounding the power negotiations. The payment
provision underscores the fact that the contracts involve more than merely
the prices the state will pay for its megawatts, the critics note.
?????"The Legislature should have known about it," said Senate President Pro
Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco). "It is going to cost taxpayers money. It
makes you wonder. . . . This was a policy issue that was never discussed with
the Legislature."
?????V. John White, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, who also represents
alternative energy producers, called the contract proposal "a horrible
precedent."
?????"Until we know exactly what the state has agreed to and how much of a
subsidy this represents, we can't determine how serious the breach of
principle this is," White said.
?????Another critic of the secrecy of the negotiations, Terry Francke,
general counsel for the California First Amendment Coalition, said the
provision in question "raises the possibility that there are other
[concessions]" that have not yet come to light.
?????In the summer, when demand for power is highest, some generators
probably will exceed pollution limits set by regional air quality management
districts.
?????To avert blackouts, state officials might ask the companies to keep
plants running. In such cases, some sources familiar with aspects of the
contracts said, the contract language could be interpreted to suggest that
the state would cover any fines--although Davis said Tuesday the state will
not cover the cost of fines.
?????A recent Dynegy filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
underscores the rising cost of pollution-related measures. The company, which
is partners with NRG Energy in three California plants in El Segundo, Long
Beach and Carlsbad in San Diego County, said its "aggregate expenditures for
compliance with laws related to the regulation of discharge of materials into
the environment" rose to $14.3 million in 2000, from $3.6 million in 1999.
?????A South Coast Air Quality Management spokesman said Dynegy's facilities
appear to be fairly clean--although Sierra Club lobbyist White said Dynegy
has been seeking a permit at one of its plants to burn fuel oil, which is
dirtier than natural gas.
?????Davis said he intends to "make this information public," but he added
that "we do not want to put the public's interest in jeopardy by asking them
to pay higher prices."
?????"Nobody likes the notion that [the administration is] not being fully
forthcoming," Davis said. "But I also have a corollary responsibility that I
don't stick these generators with a higher rate."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Losses Mount, Companies Work Around Outages
By MARLA DICKERSON,JERRY HIRSCH and NANCY CLEELAND, Times Staff Writers
?????As blackouts moved from theory to reality, many Southern California
businesses spent Day 2 assessing their losses and digging in for what they
expect to be a long, hot summer.
?????An hour without electricity may be an inconvenience for most residents.
But for manufacturers and many other businesses, even a brief loss of power
can generate tens of thousands in losses.
?????Whether shaping metal or making salsa, businesses of all kinds
complained Tuesday about the lack of warning of impending outages, even as
they sought sometimes creative ways to work around the loss of power.
?????Rattled by news reports of Monday's rolling blackouts, Industry-based El
Burrito Mexican Food Products started its Tuesday shift at 2 a.m. Workers had
just finished cooking and packaging the last batches of salsa and masa when
the lights went out at 10:20 a.m.
?????"We dodged a bullet," said El Burrito founder Mark Roth. "Losing a day's
production of salsa would have cost me $15,000 to $20,000."
?????But other companies weren't so fortunate.
?????Long Beach-based Delco Machine & Gear was still totaling up its losses
from Monday's blackout, which amounted to at least $30,000 in lost wages and
production, said Nick Campanelli, vice president of manufacturing. The
company, a division of Florida-based B/E Aerospace Inc., makes parts for the
aerospace industry. The sudden loss of power caused its sophisticated metal
cutting and grinding machines to crash, ruining precision parts in production.
?????But the losses don't end there. He said employees will need to spend
hours resetting the equipment. Campanelli is particularly irked that the
company received no warning.
?????"Five minutes' notice," he fumed. "That's all I needed."
?????Although businesses such as Campanelli's typically receive no warning
that they are about to lose power, insurance companies count the rolling
blackouts as "planned events," a determination that in most cases
disqualifies a business from making a claim.
?????"I know it must be frustrating for businesses who have the power go off
suddenly, but these outages are planned by the grid operators," said Pete
Moraga of the Insurance Information Network of California. "That means it
would not be a covered peril in a traditional business insurance policy."
?????Typically, business insurance covers loss of profit and damage from
unforeseen events such as fires or windstorms. The component of the policy
that covers interruptions in business kicks in after a given amount of time
elapses, usually 24 to 48 hours.
?????Business polices can be written to include unusual coverages, Moraga
said, but he has never heard of a policy that covers losses from a rolling
blackout.
?????Some companies are taking measures not to get caught in a situation
where a blackout can hurt them.
?????The region's largest steel supplier shut down for two hours Monday after
Southern California Edison called to warn of tight supplies.
?????"We just can't take a chance," said Lourenco Goncalvez, president of
California Steel Industries Inc. in San Bernardino County. "We have a lot of
safety issues. People could get hurt."
?????Goncalvez said the plant has multiple 20-ton and 25-ton overhead cranes
that operate with electromagnetic devices, which would fail if they lost
power suddenly. Falling materials could injure workers below, he said. "We
have been asking to be exempt from rolling blackouts," he said.
?????Goncalvez said he couldn't put a price on the lost production at the
24-hour plant and said he worried more about the long term.
?????"Two hours is nothing," he said. "My concern is this thing will start to
happen almost every day. If it will be like this all summer, you can be sure
it will have dramatic consequences for the entire economy. . . . We're going
to have a shortage of steel products in California. Maybe the government does
not consider this is serious. We'll see."
?????At Sport Chalet, a La Canada Flintridge-based chain of 22 sporting goods
stores in Southern California, an administrative assistant monitors the state
power situation, hoping to warn any stores that are in danger of losing
power, said Craig Levra, the company's chief executive.
?????Levra said the assistant was assigned the monitoring duties last year,
when rolling blackouts were still only a threat.
?????The chain put in place an emergency plan--similar to what it would do in
a major earthquake. Backup power will kick on emergency lights and allow the
cash registers to complete transactions. Employees are instructed to escort
customers from the building safely, Levra said.
?????Other businesses, however, have plans to remain open during the 60- to
90-minute blackouts.
?????When power went out at two Cheesecake Factory restaurants in Orange
County on Monday afternoon, the eateries switched to serving cold dishes such
as sandwiches and salads, said Howard Gordon, senior vice president of the
Calabasas Hills-based chain.
?????The restaurants had enough backup power to operate emergency lights and
cash registers. Large windows provided the rest of the light, Gordon said.
?????So far, the 99 Cents Only Stores chain has missed the shotgun pattern of
the blackouts. But with nearly 100 stores in California, company President
Eric Schiffer believes it is only a matter of time before the lights go out
at one of its outlets.
?????Though the stores have some backup power, the chain has systems in place
to operate without it. Its cash registers can open mechanically, Schiffer
said. Because an item sells for a multiple of 99 cents, sales clerks are
equipped with "blackout sheets" that calculate a customer's tab, including
tax. All the clerk has to do is count the number of items in the shopping
cart and check the tables on the sheet.
?????This week's power crunch has been exacerbated by the fact that so-called
interruptible electricity customers no longer face large penalties if they
decline to shut down their operations when supplies get critically low.
?????The Public Utilities Commission suspended the fines in January to ease
the burden on about 1,400 businesses that found themselves bearing the brunt
of the crisis to prevent rolling blackouts in the rest of the state.
?????According to Edison, about 10% of its interruptible customers are
complying with requests to curtail electricity usage during crunch time. But
Scott Keller isn't among them.
?????The owner of Chino-based STC Plastics Inc. said he was forced to shut
down more than 20 times since September, costing him as much as $10,000 in
lost production per day. He ignored requests Monday and Tuesday to curtail
usage and said he doesn't feel a twinge of remorse.
?????"If I'm shut down, I can't pay my workers," he said. "I'd feel more
guilty about that."
?????But this is one area where insurance eventually might help. Moraga said
some carriers are developing plans that would cover penalties for continuing
to use power after they have been asked by a utility to cut back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
A Blackout on Answers
Davis needs to do a better job in communicating to Californians about the
electricity crisis. In the absence of that, cynicism grows.
?????The oil shocks of the 1970s, from the Arab oil embargo to the Iran-Iraq
war, were dead simple compared with the California power shortage. Then, the
problem was a lack of imported oil and the chief symptom was long lines and
high prices at gas stations. Politicians urged conservation: Turn down the
heat, drive fewer miles, buy more efficient cars. People understood the cause
of the crisis and the benefit of their actions. Today it's a different story
and a damnably complicated one that gives consumers no place--or actually,
too many places--to focus their anger.
?????The last two days of rolling blackouts, including previously exempt
Southern California, have not reduced power demand, or at least not enough.
Consumers are suspicious: Are out-of-state power companies holding back
production? Did utilities really not have enough money to pay alternative
energy producers--the little guys who, combined, could produce enough power
to prevent the blackouts? And what happened to long-term power contracts, the
state-bargained deal that was supposed to stabilize the crisis?
?????The frustrations are vast, and there are too many gaps in the story. If
it's just a pack of thieves creating an artificial shortage, as even some
consumer organizations charge, why should anyone sacrifice to conserve? That,
in a nutshell, is the problem that Gov. Gray Davis, the state Legislature and
the Public Utilities Commission face.
?????Davis, for one, has to level with the public and stop acting as if he
can fix the crisis. He has proved he can't, at least not without reductions
in usage and, most likely, rate increases. If Davis, who is notoriously
averse to delivering bad news, had leveled with the public about the
fragility of the current system, the last two days of blackouts statewide
(except in places with full municipal power, like Los Angeles) might not have
come as such a shock.
?????The Legislature tried and failed earlier to solve the alternative energy
producers' nonpayment problems with a very complicated bill. Tuesday night,
Davis and legislators announced a simpler plan that would set lower, more
flexible rates for alternative power but also force the utilities to pay for
future purchases.
?????Which leads to the utilities themselves. With the state shelling out
billions for power from the major generators, how could Southern California
Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric still not have the cash flow to pay the
alternative producers? That motley collection of biomass, solar, wind and
cogeneration companies has been shutting down for nonpayment--some of them
because natural gas suppliers have cut them off. PG&E has made some payments,
but SCE has paid zilch, though a spokesman says it hopes to strike a deal to
start paying this week.
?????Without enough honest information, conspiracy scenarios fill the holes.
Bad news is better than no news, something Davis seems not to quite realize.
By today or Thursday, the weather will cool and some plants taken down for
repair will come back online. The blackouts may cease but the crisis will be
just as deep as it was Monday and Tuesday. It is up to Davis to do a better
job of persuasively explaining why. Otherwise, the cynicism grows.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
Rolling Blackouts: Blatant Extortion
?????* Re "Rolling Blackouts Hit Southland for First Time as Production
Falls," March 20:
?????So here we are, 22 years after the notorious gas shortage, having
another gun held to our head by an opportunistic energy consortium. Back in
1979, we all had to wait in long lines just to pay more for gasoline. Now, we
have to face food in our freezers thawing and simmering in our homes during
hot summer days, just to earn the honor of paying more for electricity.
?????Of course, as soon as the rates are up and the environmental concerns
are shoved aside, watch how plentiful power will be. When is somebody in
government going to stand up for the consumer and stop this blatant form of
extortion?
?????JOHN JOHNSON
?????Agoura Hills
* * *
?????So customers of PG&E and Edison are "shielded from soaring wholesale
prices"? Some shield: turning off all our power without so much as a moment's
notice, endangering lives and disrupting businesses just to keep our
electricity prices unreasonably low. Let's lift the rate caps to get the
lights back on. And if I need to be shielded from soaring prices, I'll turn
my own lights off.
?????ANDREW LOWD
?????Claremont
* * *
?????This state needs adequate, reliable electricity to run a diverse
economy. Both political parties and business interests are at fault. This
crisis demands top priority, aimed at lasting solutions.
?????The most immediate solution is fast-tracking of added generating
capacity. Freeway bridges were rebuilt in record time after the Northridge
quake, so we know it can be done. That is the type of effort that is needed,
immediately.
?????Since Democrats hold the governorship and control both state legislative
houses, they are in the driver's seat. If the lights go out, the Democrats go
out. If this state government can't solve the problem, we need a new
government that can.
?????STEVE ANDERSON
?????Huntington Beach
* * *
?????The alleged energy crisis in California is entirely contrived to relax
environmental pollution standards and to raise energy rates. It's curious
that the L.A. Department of Water and Power, which was not deregulated, is
not currently experiencing an energy crisis. PG&E and Edison are both part of
national and multinational corporations. Why should utility customers have to
pay for their economic problems or gross mismanagement?
?????Several power plants were taken off-line for "routine maintenance,"
which may not have been so routine. Energy is a vital necessity; if these
companies can't provide it at a reasonable, affordable rate then they should
be replaced by companies that can, be taken over by the government, or
de-deregulated. There is an abundance of solar energy in California, of which
only a small fraction is being utilized. There is no shortage of energy in
California, only a shortage of intelligence, will and honest politicians.
?????CHARLES B. EDELMAN
?????Los Angeles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utilities' Demand Blocks Bailout
NEGOTIATIONS HIT SNAG: PG&E, Edison want end to price freeze if they sell
transmission lines to state David Lazarus, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle
URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/21/M
N114450.DTL
California's near-bankrupt utilities are demanding that higher electric rates
be a part of any deal to sell the state their power lines, The Chronicle has
learned.
A rate increase -- perhaps of more than 50 percent, according to earlier
industry estimates -- would certainly draw a firestorm of protest from
consumer groups and force Gov. Gray Davis to backtrack from earlier pledges
that rates would remain unchanged.
Nevertheless, sources close to negotiations on the deal said Pacific Gas and
Electric Co. and Southern California Edison are attempting to make higher
rates a condition for agreeing to a bailout scheme in which they would sell
the state their transmission systems and some land.
The sources said the talks hit a new snag this week when state officials
realized that fine print sought by the companies could require the Public
Utilities Commission to pass along all of the utilities' costs to ratepayers.
The sources said this would end a rate freeze that shields consumers from
runaway wholesale electricity prices.
The inclusion of potential rate increases in the talks reflects the growing
complexity of a deal originally intended by Davis to stabilize the finances
of PG&E and Edison so banks would resume loans to the cash-strapped
utilities.
The negotiations subsequently have expanded to involve a state purchase of
the utilities' transmission networks and acquisition of utility-owned land,
including spectacular coastal property near PG&E's Diablo Canyon nuclear
power plant.
Now they also have embraced further deregulation of California's
dysfunctional electricity market.
"Clearly, one of the terms being discussed is the regulatory environment,"
said Joseph Fichera, head of Saber Partners, a New York investment bank that
is advising Davis in the talks.
"The past situation has not worked well," he added. "The utilities want some
certainty about their future."
TENTATIVE DEAL WITH EDISON
To date, the governor has announced a tentative agreement with Edison for the
state to buy the utility's power lines for almost $3 billion. Discussions
with PG&E for a similar accord have dragged on for weeks.
An Edison official, asking that his name be withheld, acknowledged yesterday
that an end to the rate freeze is an expected result of the power- line sale.
"Once the details of the pact are complete, dominoes will fall," the official
said. "One of the dominoes is the rate freeze."
A PG&E spokesman declined to comment.
In fact, both Edison and PG&E have been aggressively seeking an end to the
rate freeze for months.
The two utilities have a lawsuit pending in federal court demanding that the
PUC immediately raise rates so the utilities can recover almost $13 billion
in debt accrued as a result of the freeze.
"They have been trying a lot of things to get the rate freeze ended in
various forms," said Carl Wood, who sits on the PUC. "Adding it to the
present talks is consistent with past behavior."
Wall Street has taken note that the negotiations no longer appear to be
making progress.
Paul Patterson, an energy industry analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston,
told clients on Monday that the discussions "may have lost some momentum in
recent days." He did not give a reason.
For his part, the governor sounded unusually cautious about the course of the
talks when asked late last week if a breakthrough was imminent.
SECRET STICKING POINTS
"We are going to take the transmission systems and the land that's deeded,
and we will work out an agreement," Davis said at an appearance in San Jose.
"But there are a number of sticking points in the talks with PG&E that I'm
not going to reveal."
One of those sticking points apparently is an insistence that the sale of
utility assets include a long-sought lifting of the rate freeze.
Sources said lawyers from both PG&E and Edison had inserted the related terms
into draft accords affecting each utility, and that the full impact of the
additions was not realized by state officials until this week.
One source said the language was just convoluted enough to slip beneath the
radar screen of state negotiators. But the upshot, once the words had been
parsed, was that the PUC effectively would lose control over power rates.
CREDITWORTHINESS ON THE TABLE
In Edison's case, the terms of the tentative deal include the governor asking
the PUC "to support the creditworthiness" of the utility.
"This would ensure that future investments in both utility distribution and
utility generation plants are provided fair returns of and on capital,
consistent with current authorized returns and capital structure provisions,"
it says.
Sources said the provision could be interpreted as a guarantee from the state
that Edison would be permitted to recoup all outstanding costs from
ratepayers.
"There may be some assumptions about this language that the rate freeze ends
if it is adopted," the Edison official said, adding that he saw no reason to
disagree with such assumptions.
But Fichera, Davis' adviser in the talks, insisted that nothing is set in
stone, and that the negotiations are proceeding without a hitch.
"This is a very complex transaction," he said. "God and the devil are in the
details."
E-mail David Lazarus at [email protected].
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle ? Page?A - 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Utilities' Demand Blocks Bailout
BLACKOUTS ROLL ON: Weather, increased consumption blamed
David Lazarus, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle
URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/21/M
N156508.DTL
Hundreds of thousands of Californians went without electricity for a second
day yesterday as unusually warm weather and a high number of idle power
plants prompted blackouts throughout the state.
State officials said electricity usage rose yesterday even though conditions
were largely unchanged from a day before. They surmised that fewer
Californians were conserving power.
"We need people to really focus on that," implored Patrick Dorinson, a
spokesman for the Independent System Operator, manager of the state's power
grid. "The more people can do, the better it will be."
Rolling blackouts were ordered by the ISO about 9:30 a.m. and were suspended
at 2 p.m. after several plants that had been down for repairs returned to
service. Additional power also was obtained from a plant in Arizona.
Utilities estimated that about 560,000 customers were affected yesterday,
compared with more than 1 million a day earlier.
This week's blackouts marked the first time that people in Los Angeles shared
the pain with those in San Francisco. Blackouts in January were confined to
the northern part of the state.
FEWER AFFECTED IN SOUTH
However, Southern California Edison's burden was considerably lighter
yesterday than that of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
Karen Shepard-Grimes, a spokeswoman for the Southern California utility, said
only about 50,000 customers went without power, compared with nearly 440, 000
for PG&E.
Affected areas in the south included Palm Springs, Santa Monica, Long Beach
and Pomona.
"We're not in the business of turning customers' lights off," Shepard- Grimes
said. "We're in the business of keeping lights on."
In PG&E's case, things were tougher because low rainfall means that less
power is currently available from dams throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Ron Low, a spokesman for the utility, said blackouts were experienced by PG&E
customers from Eureka to Bakersfield.
"Our goal was to carry out the ISO's order with minimal impact on customers,
" he said.
For its part, San Diego Gas & Electric said about 75,000 customers were
darkened.
Yesterday's blackouts began with PG&E customers in Block 12 and halted midway
through Block 14. Customers in each block -- defined by power circuits rather
than geography -- typically will lose power for about 90 minutes before the
service interruption "rolls" elsewhere.
Some cutoffs can last more than two hours, however, because of technical
problems switching individual blocks on and off.
NEXT UP: BLOCK 14
If additional blackouts are ordered today, they will commence with the
remaining portion of Block 14 customers. (PG&E customers can determine their
block by looking at the bottom left-hand corner of their monthly bill.)
The ISO's Dorinson said it is hoped that cooler weather and increased
generation will help avert further cutoffs this week.
"Units are coming back into service that have been out," he said. "That will
help a great deal."
Roughly 15,000 megawatts of generating capacity was offline yesterday,
including half of the alternative-energy plants, which are unable to afford
natural gas to run their turbines.
Many of the plant owners say they have not been paid by PG&E and Edison since
November. They are asking federal regulators for permission to sell their
electricity elsewhere.
At the same time, one of two units at the Mohave Generating Station in Nevada
damaged in a fire Monday returned to service yesterday, easing the load on
California's grid.
The plant, partly owned by Edison, is not expected to return to full output
until tomorrow.
PROBING SHUTDOWNS
Nearly a third of California's generating capacity is currently down for
scheduled or unexpected maintenance. State regulators are investigating
whether some plant owners might be deliberately shutting down to drive prices
higher or reduce operating costs.
Loretta Lynch, president of the Public Utilities Commission, on Monday called
the number of idle plants "highly suspicious."
Dorinson at the ISO said that about 12,000 megawatts of mainstream capacity
was offline yesterday, compared with roughly 10,000 megawatts last year at
this time.
--
Tell Us What You Think
Can you save 20 percent on your energy usage? Gov. Gray Davis is offering
rebates for Californians who save on power starting in June, and if you've
got a strategy for conserving, The Chronicle wants to hear it. We'll be
writing about the hardest-working energy savers in a future story. To get
involved, Write to the Energy Desk, San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St.,
San Francisco, 94103; or e-mail [email protected].
--
THE ENERGY CRUNCH
-- Blackouts: About 560,000 Californians, including 440,000 in Northern
California, lost electricity yesterday for 90 minutes at a time.
-- Areas affected: Blackouts hit parts of blocks 12 and 14 and all of block
13 yesterday. In the event of further blackouts, the remainer of block 14
would be next, followed by block 1.
-- Outlook: Officials say blackouts are less likely today as temperatures are
expected to cool and power plants that have been offline for maintenance
resume generating electricity.
E-mail David Lazarus at [email protected].
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle ? Page?A - 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Manners Go Out the Window
Pedestrians in peril as drivers turn darkened S.F. streets into free-for-all
Steve Rubenstein, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle
URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/21/M
N173178.DTL
Nobody got plowed into yesterday at Fifth and Howard streets in San
Francisco. Many came close.
The power outage that darkened the traffic lights at the frenetic South of
Market intersection for more than an hour also darkened the souls of untold
numbers of drivers, sending motoring manners into the toilet.
The law says motorists are supposed to treat an intersection with
nonfunctioning traffic lights as a four-way stop. That means everyone stops,
then takes turns -- one by one -- creeping through the intersection.
Tell that to the two people in motorized wheelchairs who were nearly creamed
by two eastbound SUVs.
Or to the young Swedish couple who had traveled halfway around the globe,
only to scamper through the intersection barely ahead of an office supply
truck.
Or to the New Jersey tourist, who proclaimed that California drivers during
power outages were proof positive that the Chaos Theory lives and breathes.
Some motorists stopped and took turns, but many didn't. Some sped into the
intersection immediately behind the vehicle in front, without themselves
stopping at the white line. Some sailed through with a rolling stop and a
warning honk. Some blasted through without stopping or honking.
"I'm scared to death," said Brian Walters of Dorchester, N.J., after making
it across Howard Street. "This is organized madness. I subscribe to the Chaos
Theory, and this is what it looks like."
Sydney Freedman, a tourist from Sydney, walked briskly across the darkened
crossroads, smiling grimly.
"I'll chance it," he said.
He looked back and saw a woman in a motorized wheelchair nearly get squished
by a westbound Chevy.
"You have to be authoritative in this town when you cross the street," he
said. "Especially that lady."
Therese Anderson and Andreas Sandstrom, from Sweden, raced across as quickly
as their backpacks would allow.
"In this country, everyone is in such a hurry," said Anderson.
"Everybody drives like a madman," added Sandstrom. "They say, 'I want to be
home right now, and I don't care what happens to anyone else.' "
The couple paused to gaze in wonder at the intersection, learning more about
America in five minutes than a pile of guidebooks could tell them.
"This intersection," said Sandstrom, "reminds you not to take life for
granted."
A few minutes later, Parking Control Officer Tom Butz arrived in his meter
minder wagon and pulled his orange vest and whistle from the saddlebag. He
strode brave and true into the center of the bullring, planted himself
between the whizzing cars and began waving his arms as if conducting "The
Rite of Spring."
"I'm all by myself," he said. "I know it's a little risky. I'd better keep my
angels with me."
At that moment, the angels were on duty in Menlo Park, where a blacked-out
intersection at El Camino Real and Santa Cruz Avenue backed up traffic so far
that it stretched into neighboring Atherton.
"It's a large intersection and traffic is slow anyway, but now it is severely
impacted," said Police Sgt. Terri Molakides. "We don't get any warning
either. When the power is out, the power is out. It's not like we can make
any plans."
In general, motorists seemed more likely to obey the four-way-stop rule on
the Peninsula and in the East Bay than in San Francisco.
In San Mateo County, some police departments have stopped trying to make
advance plans to cover darkened intersections. San Mateo Police Sgt. Kevin
Rafaelli said putting up signs and posting officers sometimes caused problems
rather than solving them.
"If people just follow the law (and) stop at the intersection, they can
handle it better than we do if we're out there," he said. "People are sort of
getting used to it and are dealing with it."
In Berkeley and Emeryville, motorists stopped one at a time at temporary stop
signs, with no apparent problems. At University Avenue and Sacramento Street
in Berkeley, Officer Matt Meredith said motorists were behaving themselves.
That wasn't the case a while back, when a driver who didn't stop at an
intersection during a blackout was broadsided by someone who did, Meredith
said.
"The thing to remember is to stop and look," he said.
TRAFFIC TIPS
To avoid a collisions during blackouts, the California Highway Patrol offers
this advice to motorists:
-- Treat any intersection with inoperative traffic lights as a four-way stop.
Each vehicle must stop when arriving at the white limit line, then proceed
only when safe, taking turns.
-- If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the motorist
on the left must yield to the motorist on the right.
-- Never insist on taking the right of way, even if you are entitled to it.
-- Follow the directions of a police officer or traffic control officer,
whose directions take precedence over lights or signs.
Chronicle staff writers Henry K. Lee and Matthew B. Stannard contributed to
this report. / E-mail Steve Rubenstein at [email protected].
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle ? Page?A - 8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Historic Blackouts in State
Bay Area learns to cope
Jonathan Curiel, George Raine, Justino Aguila, and Matthew B. St
Tuesday, March 20, 2001
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle
URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/20/M
N219412.DTL
Today's rolling blackouts caused concern throughout the Bay Area, including
Colma, where the sudden lack of power apparently caused a fire.
A light fixture at the Home Depot store in Colma caught fire around 10:45 a.
m., 15 minutes after Pacific Gas and Electric Co. ordered blackouts for the
area. No one was hurt.
"I was in the back of the store when the power outage started," said Dave
Cole, a consultant from Pacifica who was shopping for bolts and screws. "We
lost maybe 90 percent of the lights, then maybe 10 percent of the lights came
up. Then I heard a guy saying, 'Get a ladder, get a ladder!'
"One of the lights on the ceiling had caught on fire, and a couple of people
were getting ladders and fire extinguishers."
Store managers whisked everyone out of the store, and Colma firefighters
arrived to make sure the blaze was extinguished.
At 11 a.m., Cole was waiting to get back into the store, which was still
closed.
"I need my bolts," he said.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco Fire Department had to rescue people stuck in an
elevator at 2001 Embarcadero North, said fire department spokesman Pete
Howes.
Scores of residents and businesses near the Embarcadero, including the Levi
Strauss & Co. headquarters, were affected by the blackout.
At Levi Strauss this morning, Phil Marineau, the president and chief
executive officer, led his 1,300 employees by example, using only minimal
lighting for a meeting in his office at 10 a.m.
Employees were sent e-mails minutes after PG&E's 9:30 a.m. notification that
a blackout was possible. The e-mails said workers should frequently save work
on their computers, and that they should remain in the building and stand by
for further instructions.
Emergency lighting in hallways and stairwells were operated by generators.
All elevators descended to the ground floor but one remained operating,
through a generator.
"Worked nicely," said Jeff Beckman, a company spokesman.
Yesterday -- the first day that rolling blackouts returned -- Shannon
Cashman's home in Walnut Creek was a difficult place to be.
Cashman's 4-year-old daughter, Madison, suffers from a brain defect that
stops her from breathing during sleep. The girl depends on a ventilator that
runs on electricity.
Recently hospitalized and with a weakened immune system, Madison badly needed
a nap yesterday afternoon. But when the Cashmans' power went out about noon,
it meant reading and coloring instead of rest for the girl and a little more
anxiety than normal for her mother.
"If this was a major earthquake or something like that and we couldn't use
the ventilator, we'd take her to the hospital," said the 33-year-old Cashman.
"Otherwise, we'll just wait for the power to come back on."
In a stroke of irony yesterday, the lights went out and computer screens went
dark at the San Francisco offices of the state Public Utilities Commission,
the agency some people blame for the energy crisis and others look to for the
solution.
At a Petco animal store in Redwood City, nocturnal leopard geckos that
weren't familiar with the state's power woes thought it was night and awoke
from their routine daytime slumber.
The geckos clung to the glass of their cages as manager Sally Daine and her
employees misted lizards and watched frozen mealworms melt.
"The worst thing is some of the reptiles need heat, but it's so hot, I don't
think it will matter," she said.
At Auto Pride Car Wash a few blocks away, Dan Giudici watched as the team of
employees he supervised washed cars the old-fashioned way -- with buckets and
hoses. The company's big mechanical car wash went unused.
Customers didn't seem to mind the manual wash, said Giudici, who was charging
half-price. But he was running out of towels.
Even those who hoped they were immune to power problems were affected.
Palo Alto runs its own utility, but the electricity began winking out about
12:30 p.m.
The city depends on a distribution line of the state grid, so it is
vulnerable to blackouts, said Linda Clerkson, public relations manager for
Palo Alto Utilities. In addition, the city relies on PG&E for some of its
power, she said.
Businesses were caught by surprise.
"Well, at least it happened in a better time than the morning," said Nick
Badiee, owner of the Lytton Roasting Co. coffee house. "My toaster went out
and the coffee began getting cold, so I lost three or four people who walked
out the door. I'm not angry, yet, but I would say I am concerned."
For one Milwaukee woman visiting San Francisco, the blackout was an
unexpected lesson in the problems of electricity deregulation.
Cindy Wilburth, a financial consultant who advises Wisconsin utilities, came
to the Bay Area for vacation but left yesterday with important research for
her job.
"This has been a huge learning lesson for Wisconsin," Wilburth said as she
waited for a bus outside the powerless Comfort Inn by the Bay in Cow Hollow.
Wilburth said her state and others that once eyed deregulation are now
backing off.
"It just makes me realize how we've gotten ourselves in a pinch in a free
economy," she said.
As she mused about the predicament in which the state has found itself, her
friend was just thankful to get out of here.
"I love the cold, compared to this," said Cindy Stuckey of Milwaukee. "At
least I know I can stay in my home, secure and warm."
Across the street, at the Travelodge By the Bay, Rolando Gutierrez had
already lost three guests just an hour into the blackout.
"This is the richest state and this is a rich city -- plenty of people want
to come here," he said. "We shouldn't be suffering these blackouts."
Chronicle staff writers Jaxon Van Derbeken, Mark Martin, Henry K. Lee,
Michael McCabe, Bernadette Tansey and Marshall Wilson contributed to this
report.
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle ? Page?A - 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bay Area residents learning to roll with blackouts
Posted at 9:58 p.m. PST Tuesday, March 20, 2001
JOHN
WOOLFOLK
AND STEVE
JOHNSON
Mercury News
As rolling blackouts swept the state for a second straight day Tuesday,
Californians already seasoned by droughts and earthquakes were learning to
live with yet another upheaval: periodic power outages.
Blackouts are still a novelty in Southern California -- hit for the second
time Tuesday -- but they're almost routine for Bay Area residents who have
seen four days of outages this year and now expect many more as temperatures
rise. Toting flashlights, avoiding certain roads and even shutting off their
coveted hot tubs, they're adjusting to life in California's new Dark Age.
?
?
Karen T. Borchers--Mercury News
When the lights went out at Grant Elementary School in San Jose on Tuesday
morning, teacher Renee Johnson took her second-grade students out to the lawn
to read to them.
Marjorie Meagher now looks at her clock before taking the elevator she needs
to get around her two-story San Jose home, fearing she'll get stuck during
rolling blackouts.
``They tend to happen on the hour or half-hour, so I try not to use it
then,'' said Meagher, 74, who is disabled. ``I'm very careful. My own
personal fear is getting stranded in the elevator.''
From 750,000 to about 1 million customers lost power for an hour or so in
stages Tuesday as a rash of power plant outages and record temperatures in
San Jose and elsewhere triggered a critical shortage.
As was the case Monday, when 1.2 million to 1.8 million customers were
affected, Tuesday's outages were split between the northern and southern
parts of the state. Blackouts began at 9:30 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m. when
authorities obtained extra power from other Western states. Outages were
considered less likely today.
But people are preparing anyway. Like low-flow toilets and earthquake kits,
flashlights and generators may be emerging as another fact of life in the
Golden State.
In San Francisco's Inner Sunset district, Han Yong Park had the satisfied
smile of a well-prepared man having bought a portage generator for his Park's
Farmers Market five months ago.
Tuesday morning, the generator churned loudly on the sidewalk, positioned
between the tomatoes and green beans. Inside, clerks tallied purchases on
electric cash registers.
Park motioned down the street, where neon signs were dark and some
restaurants closed. ``No one else in the area has a generator,'' he said.
Energy officials say such equipment will come in handy this summer. Power
supplies are expected to be so strained that Californians should expect many
more rolling blackouts.
``I don't want to kid anybody,'' said Patrick Dorinson, spokesman for the
California Independent System Operator, which manages the power grid for most
of the state. ``Supplies are very, very tight. When you look at such a big
state and such a large shortfall, I think we have to prepare ourselves. It's
very possible that going into this spring and summer we're going to see some
very difficult days.''
Combination of factors
The multiple causes that conspired to darken California on Tuesday
underscored the difficulty officials face in keeping the lights on.
The thermometer shot to record-breaking levels at some locations in the Bay
Area, driving up power demand. San Jose hit 83, compared with an average 66
degrees for March 20, and breaking the record high of 80 set in 1960.
What's more, 12,000 megawatts of power were unavailable because plants had
shut down for maintenance or because cash-strapped utilities haven't paid
them.
And consumer conservation has been spotty. While state energy officials say
conservation rose from 5 percent in January to 8 percent in February, grid
managers said this week Californians weren't saving enough energy. They even
revised their estimate of how much homes a megawatt can power, down from
1,000 homes to 750 to reflect greater consumption.
Improved conservation later in the day helped stave off a second wave of
outages, they said.
Many shrug off the threat of rolling blackouts.
``I think I've gotten used to it,'' said Mary Carlson, 58, of San Jose, who
took her granddaughter for a walk and read the paper during blackouts in
January. ``I just go with the flow. I'm not going to get too excited about
it. If they turn the power off, it's no big thing.''
Erica Finn, secretary at Acacia Glass in San Francisco, said she wasn't too
upset when blackouts shut down the credit card machines, electric sanders and
phones. She bought coffee, pulled a chair into the sun and popped Madonna
into her portable CD player.
``I have to brush up on my tan, and get paid for it,'' she said.
But for others, the consequences are potentially serious.
At a Palo Alto dental office, the blackouts interrupted root canals for three
patients. Dentists Darrell Dang, Robert McWilliams and Kurtis Finley inserted
temporary fillings by hand, rescheduled the procedures, and went to lunch.
The receptionist used a cell phone to cancel the afternoon's appointments,
frustrated that there's no way to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's fiasco if the
blackouts continue.
A new routine
Others have taken everyday steps to cope with the threat of losing power.
Stephen O'Reilly, a 34-year-old San Jose engineer who often drives to see
clients, said he avoids side streets because blackouts could darken signal
lights and tie up intersections.
``I used to take back roads to avoid traffic, but I'm trying to use the
freeways more because there are no lights,'' said O'Reilly, adding that he's
shut down his electric hot tub to help conserve power.
At Pasta Primavera in San Mateo, manager Chris Harris has stocked up on
candles and has plans to buy a generator for his restaurant. When blackouts
arrived just before the lunch crowd Tuesday and cut power to ventilation
fans, he even considered revising his menu, replacing smoke-producing chicken
and shrimp with simple marinaras and alfredos.
``I don't know if you'd want to dine with the smell of smoke,'' Harris said
as customers trickled into his darkened restaurant on Fourth Avenue. ``If
this is going to continue through the summer, it's going to affect our
pockets.''
San Francisco International Airport, which agreed months ago to shut down its
massive air conditioners to save power during shortages, is now routinely
stuffy.
On Tuesday the temperature reached a steamy 85 degrees inside the airport's
North Terminal, which serves most of United Airlines' flights.
``It's become uncomfortable if not intolerable,'' said Ron Wilson, airport
spokesman. ``It's like getting in a car that's been left in the sun all day.
It's much hotter inside. .?.?. We've turned on the fans but they're just
moving the hot air.''
Hospitals cut off
Several hospitals complained they lost power Tuesday, saying they thought
they were exempt. PG&E said hospitals with sufficient backup generation to
power themselves can be turned off. But state regulators said they could not
confirm that statement, and hospital officials scoffed at the suggestion.
``Every hospital has backup power generation, but it only covers 30 to 40
percent of the hospital,'' said Roger Richter, a senior vice president with
the Hospital Council.
Nonetheless, hospitals are coping with the situation.
``Our patients are concerned, for sure,'' said Jackie Floyd, head nurse at
the Satellite Dialysis Center South in San Jose, which lost power. ``But
while it's a pain, we can handle the blackouts. We're kind of getting the
idea here that this a problem and we have to adjust.''
But while Californians may be adjusting, they're not at all pleased.
``I'm frustrated with this power thing,'' said Ana Rivera, who manages the
Wash Club in San Francisco, where washers and dryers had stopped mid-cycle.
``Who do you blame? No one wants to accept blame.''
Sara Neufeld, Ann Marimow, Kim Vo, Frank Sweeney, Barbara Feder, Aaron Davis,
Gil Duran, and Dave Beck contributed to this report.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Powerless, again
Outages were lighter after generators came back online and conservation
efforts kicked in. Blackouts may be averted today.
March 21, 2001
By TONY SAAVEDRA, JOHN HOWARD, CHRIS KNAP and JEFF COLLINS
The Orange County Register
The Ridgewood Power methane-burning plant at the Olinda Alpha landfill in
Brea is producing 3.3 megawatts, down from five, because Edison owes it $1.5
million and cranking up to full power is no longer a priority
Photo: H. Lorren Au Jr. / The Register
?
?
A second day of statewide blackouts ratcheted up the frustration level
Tuesday on the streets of Orange County and in Sacramento, as consumers
demanded solutions from politicians unable to give them.
There was a bit of good news, though: Blackouts may be averted for the rest
of the week after temperatures moderated, two stalled generators came back
online and conservation efforts kicked into gear.
?
Some Orange County residents took the blackouts in stride. In Mission Viejo,
above, the West Coast Football Club's under-16 boys team scrimmages under
gas-powered lights Tuesday. The club has been running to conserve energy
Photo: Kevin Sullivan / The Register
?
?
Consumers were able to save 900 megawatts - enough to light about 675,000
homes - by cutting power usage, said Patrick Dorinson, spokesman for the
Independent System Operator, which oversees 75 percent of the state's
electricity grid. That helped the ISO halt the blackouts Tuesday afternoon.
"Californians are back on the conservation trail, and we appreciate it,"
Dorinson said.
Power regulators Tuesday morning predicted there would be twice as many
outages as Monday, when more than 1 million consumers statewide lost power in
one-hour to 90-minute increments.
Luis Pagan, an assistant at the Santa Ana Animal Shelter, waits out the
blackout Tuesday with one of the shelter's dogs up for adoption
Photo: Paul E. Rodriguez / The Register
?
?
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, blackouts tangled intersections in Costa
Mesa, forced Huntington Beach students to study by flashlight and stilled
cash registers in Santa Ana. About a half-million homes and businesses were
unplugged statewide before 2 p.m. Power was restored to most of Southern
California by 11:30 a.m. Outages affected more than 9,200 consumers in Orange
County.
The ISO had expected more severe outages to hit at the peak hour of 7 p.m.,
but was able to keep the lights on as downed power plants came back online
and imports from other states increased.
While outages were lighter than Monday, the blackouts aggravated consumers
who doubted that Gov. Gray Davis, lawmakers and electricity officials are
doing enough to keep the power flowing in California.
?
Zulema Avarez, left, and Erica Ramirez said they were caught off-guard when
the power went out, so they closed the fashion store in Santa Ana where they
work Photo: Paul E. Rodriguez / The Register
?
?
"I think this is insane," said Charlee Lang, 63, of Costa Mesa. "Gray Davis
didn't do his job for a long time; he didn't get serious until November. We
need to demand immediate action be taken."
Bill Brannick, 65, of Costa Mesa, added: "There's a lot of complicity here
and we're just innocent victims."
Davis, in a Sacramento news conference, said he inherited California's failed
experiment with electricity deregulation, enacted in 1996 under former Gov.
Pete Wilson.
"I think a fair assessment of this situation is that we were dealt a pretty
bad hand here," Davis said. "No (new power) plant was approved in the 12
years prior to my being governor."
With summer peak demand expected to be 16,000 megawatts higher than Monday
and Tuesday, more days of blackouts are forecast for coming months. Though
Davis has signed long-term contracts to provide California with reliable
energy, the deals haven't yet taken effect. Some suppliers won't start
providing electricity until the state reaches a so-far elusive agreement to
help the utilities pay off billions in debt by buying their transmission
lines.
Assembly Republican Leader Bill Campbell, R-Villa Park, said that the effort
to resolve the "state's energy crisis was floundering in the midst of unpaid
bills, stalled negotiations and rolling blackouts."
Tuesday began with 29 percent of California's power supply off line, mostly
from generating plants suddenly down for unscheduled maintenance. About 3,000
megawatts was missing from so-called qualifying facilities, or small power
producers who have not been paid $1.8 billion by cash-strapped utilities and
say they can't afford to operate. Davis said he would ask the PUC to order
utilities to begin paying the qualifying facilities for any energy supplied
beginning April 1, but the payments would not apply to the outstanding debt.
Some smaller producers threatened to force Edison into involuntary bankruptcy
if they are not paid soon.
Blackouts began Tuesday two hours earlier than on Monday, as the ISO called
on utilities to dump 500 megawatts. It was only the second day of blackouts
for Southern California, but the fourth for Northern California since
January.
The Disney Resort, which includes Disneyland and the new California
Adventure, voluntarily cut back one megawatt of electricity on Monday and
again Tuesday, said Anaheim Public Utilities.
All of the reductions were in backstage areas not seen by guests, said Disney
spokeswoman Chela Castano-Lenahan.
In other workplaces, people tried to make do.
Flashlight beams bobbed in aisles at a Target in Santa Ana, where the power
stopped at 10:30 a.m. Workers escorted customers, who continued shopping and
made their purchases at battery-powered cash registers. Customers were
eventually asked to leave when the batteries ran low.
"Oh well; no soda, no sunglasses," said one woman as she headed back to her
car.
The Metro Pointe shopping center in Costa Mesa also went dark.
"I was in the middle of making a reservation when everything went out," said
Peggy Thomas, a sales executive for Travel of America, along South Coast
Drive. "All of us here went, 'Oh no, it's happened to us.' "
Said one Costa Mesa police officer, as he headed for his motorcycle and a
blackout-related fender bender: "You can thank the governor for that one."
At Hawes Elementary School in Huntington Beach, Principal Marie Smith was
demonstrating to her third-grade class what would happen in a blackout. But
before she could flip off the light switch, the power died.
The kids thought she was joking.
Register staff writers Tiffany Montgomery, Sarah Tully Tapia, Nancy Luna, Jim
Radcliffe, Binh Ha Hong, Theresa Salinas, Eric Johnson and Danielle Herubin
and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The iceman shunneth effects of hourlong blackout
March 21, 2001
By JIM RADCLIFFE
The Orange County Register
Ken Ackerman, owner of ABC Ice House in Laguna Niguel, checks on his frozen
inventory during Tuesday morning's rolling blackout. The ice managed to
endure the hourlong power outage
Photo: Jebb Harris / The Register
?
?
Ken Ackerman didn't sweat much when a blackout struck his Laguna Niguel ice
business at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The walk-in freezer at ABC Ice House held 8 tons of ice. And for an hour, the
temperature in there rose from 20 degrees to 45 degrees.
But very little melted.
Ackerman said most refrigerators can handle blackouts as long as outages are
less than two hours.
"I think people are going to get used to one-hour blackouts and realize it's
not a problem,'' Ackerman said.
The blackouts actually were profitable for Ackerman.
An Irvine laboratory struck by a power outage bought 100 pounds of dry ice to
preserve human tissue.
More blackouts through the summer could be a boon for the ice business - or a
bust.
It could mean more ice sales -- or that his supplier has trouble filling his
orders.
"It's going to be an interesting summer,'' Ackerman said.
"I have no idea if we'll make more or less.''
Traffic will be the biggest problem if blackouts continue, Ackerman said.
On Monday, a nearby Costco that had lost power ordered 200 pounds of ice to
keep its refrigerated goods cold.
But dead traffic lights and congested roads made it impossible to deliver the
ice before the outage ended. Costco canceled the sale.
"We pride ourselves on getting our deliveries made in an hour," Ackerman
said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic officials are seeing red over blackouts
Battery backups are planned by several cities to aid confused drivers.
March 21, 2001
By HEATHER LOURIE
The Orange County Register
Traffic backs up Tuesday at Crown Valley Parkway at Forbes Road in Laguna
Niguel as drivers had to navigate their own way
Photo: Jebb Harris / The Register
?
?
Toby Tran approached an Aliso Viejo intersection and wasn't sure what to do.
Ahead of him, the traffic signal was dark, a casualty of the rolling
blackouts that struck Orange County on Monday and Tuesday.
So Tran kept driving, smacking into an oncoming car at the corner of Aliso
Creek and Enterprise.
"It just happened," a shaken Tran, 29, said from his Aliso Viejo home. "I
tried to stop and I couldn't. There was no light. Nothing."
Tran's accident Monday afternoon, and several others like it, underscore one
of the most significant dangers looming in the threat of future blackouts.
Traffic signals that fade to black when the power goes out, instead of
converting to flashing red, make wrecks far more likely because drivers
become confused and frustrated, traffic engineers and experts said Tuesday.
"I didn't know what to do," said Tran, who was on his way to a high school
jogging track. "Luckily I'm alive, but I'm very scared."
On Day 2 of Southern California's power outages, worried city officials
across Orange County hunted for ways to respond to paralyzed intersections
when state regulators pull the plug.
"We need to be ready," said Hamid Bahadori, traffic engineer in the city of
Orange. "This thing is only going to get worse in July and August."
One popular idea: installing emergency battery-backup units at traffic
signals to keep lights flashing red during blackouts. Several Orange County
cities, including Irvine, Laguna Niguel and Orange, are already moving to
install the devices as early as this summer.
"In our minds, (a flashing light) is a vast improvement over a blacked-out
signal," said Dave Rogers, Laguna Niguel traffic engineer. On Tuesday night,
his city was expected to approve the purchase of the battery packs for all 74
of its traffic signals.
"Timing, in this case, seems to be everything," Rogers said. "A lot of cities
had contemplated it. We just took it that extra step."
John Thai, an Anaheim traffic engineer, cautioned that cities need to do
adequate research and testing before they launch into such projects.
"There is nothing that is foolproof," Thai said. "All this is new territory."
Some cities are also considering rolling out temporary stop signs and sending
police officers to more intersections.
Although the state's vehicle code requires motorists to treat dead traffic
signals like a four-way stop, motorists often blow through the intersections,
police said.
"It's dangerous," said Tustin police Lt. Mike Shanahan, after several
near-wrecks in his city during Monday's outages. "People are not very good at
reacting to changes in their conditions.
"Flashing red is something that catches your eye. It's a warning that
something is amiss, but the absence of all lights is worse."
RELATED STORIES
How to contact your Representatives
'Current' events
The iceman shunneth effects of hourlong blackout
Powerless, again
Alternative power producers cut back or shut down as payments from big
utilities lag
O.C. saves its energy -- for blaming others
Blackout readiness on agenda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative power producers cut back or shut down as payments from big
utilities lag
That is a factor in blackouts
March 21, 2001
By HANH KIM QUACH
The Orange County Register
Every megawatt of electricity counts in this deregulated energy market -
including the five megawatts generated from the Olinda Alpha landfill in
Brea.
The methane-burning plant is producing only 3.3 megawatts now because
Southern California Edison owes it $1.5 million and cranking up to full power
is no longer a priority, said Martin Quinn, executive vice president of
Ridgewood Power, which runs the plant.
"We're doing maintenance now when we ordinarily wouldn't do it. Because we're
not being paid, it was a good time to cut back,'' Quinn said.
That scenario has been playing out across the state in the past two weeks and
was a major factor in Monday's and Tuesday's blackouts.
Those who provide electricity through alternative means - burning methane or
wood chips, or using cleaner-burning technology with traditional fossil fuels
- are not being paid for what they sell to the big utilities. So they either
can't afford to produce energy or see little incentive to do so.
On Monday, their absence from the statewide electricity grid created a
1,300-megawatt shortfall -- enough to power 1.3 million homes.
Taking that much power offline meant that any burp in the system would put
the state under the minimum amount of electricity needed to avoid blackouts.
When one conventional Southern California plant went down because of a
transformer fire Monday, the blackouts began.
"If all of California's (alternative) generators were operating yesterday and
today, rolling blackouts would have been avoided,'' Quinn said Tuesday.
Within the next couple of weeks, as the weather warms and alternative energy
producers continue to try and operate without money, California could see
twice as many of those producers go offline, further increasing the potential
for blackouts, said Jan Smutny-Jones, executive director of Independent
Energy Producers.
The alternative energy producers, which provide about a third of the state's
energy, are deemed so crucial that Gov. Gray Davis wants the Public Utilities
Commission to order the utilities to pay them. As drafted, though, the order
would only include payment on future sales; it doesn't address existing debt.
The Legislature has been working since January to halve the rates that
alternative producers charge utilities and to require utilities to pay for
November's energy by April 1. But that bill is still moving through the
Legislature.
Small plants threaten Edison with bankruptcy
Smutny-Jones said that if the small generators are not paid promptly, several
will attempt to force Edison into bankruptcy, probably within a week.
Unlike the large natural-gas generators that have been paid by the state
Department of Water Resources, alternative energy producers are locked into
contracts with utilities. Collectively, Pacific Gas & Electric and Edison owe
alternative energy producers about $1 billion.
PG&E has paid about 15 cents for each dollar it owes.
"Obviously, they're a source of generation, and looking at how much load our
customers need, they're a source that has provided energy,'' said Jon
Tremayne, Pacific Gas & Electric spokesman. "We've been trying, in good
faith, to make payments on energy.''
But Edison has not paid any money. Edison's alternative energy director, Lars
Bergmann, said the company will not pay until larger reforms are made in how
the producers' rates are calculated.
But the company recognizes that its nonpayment is causing problems.
"To the extent that there are hundreds of megawatts that are idled here, it
just exacerbates the (energy) problem. ... They're facing similar problems to
what we faced - they don't have sufficient (income) coming in the door,''
Bergmann said.
Plants go into mothball mode
Millenium Energy in Kern County is owed $40 million total by PG&E and Edison.
On March 1, the company shut down both of its coal and petroleum coke-burning
plants and doesn't plan to bring them back up until it is paid.
Millenium's plants, which use a special technology to reduce emissions,
generate 150 megawatts of energy.
"We've gone into mothball mode; our machinery just sits there on cold
standby,'' said President Mike Hawkins. "We've been delivering free electrons
to the system in the hope that the system would resolve itself. But we can't
do that anymore."
One biomass plant in Lassen County has scaled back from 31 megawatts to
eight. Burney Forest Power burns wood chips to produce energy and has only a
couple weeks' supply of chips left.
"When you don't even know what you'll get paid, it's hard to say, 'Let's go
out and get a bunch of fuel,''' said Milt Schultz, the plant's general
manager.
"The sad thing is, (the state) really can't afford to lose us.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
O.C. saves its energy -- for blaming others
March 21, 2001
By RICHARD CHANG
The Orange County Register
Darkened stores were forced to turn away customers, as stock manager
Bridgette Kelly, left, does here at a Linens 'n Things in Costa Mesa. The
store closed for 45 minutes Tuesday morning
Photo: Michael Kitada / The Orange County Register
?
?
Orange County residents are making efforts, large and small, to conserve
electricity as they face rolling blackouts and surging energy bills.
Reactions to the early spring crisis - with blackouts throughout the state
Monday and Tuesday - are ranging from confusion to rage.
Many residents have taken practical steps, such as turning off lights they're
not using, waiting until off-peak hours to do their laundry and opening
windows instead of using air conditioning.
"My house is full of Philips energy-saving light bulbs," said Ray Rutledge,
48, of Buena Park. "Our light bill has dropped 7 1/2 percent. We use
low-voltage outdoor lighting. We've got an energy-saving thermostat. It's set
back to 65 (degrees) in the wintertime."
Kim Wilson, who lives in an unincorporated area of Orange County near Santa
Ana and Tustin, said he has cut down on lighting in his house and has reduced
by half the time his pool cleaner runs. Still, his energy bill remains about
$400 a month.
"I don't know what ... to do," Wilson, 57, said. "We've cut back."
Wilson added that he is not pleased with the way government or the energy
companies have handled the crisis.
"I think it's disgusting. It's such political garbage. Who was it that made
these decisions? Who got us into it?"
'TRYING TO CONSERVE'
Jenny Hann, 60, of Costa Mesa said her workplace has devised an emergency
plan for conservation and future blackouts.
"We're definitely trying to conserve as much as we can," the bank
administrator said. Hann expressed frustration with the energy companies.
"When you see these executives that have been running the show and the money
they're making, it's bothersome," she said.
Jennifer Souto, 27, of Tustin said even though she's a stay-at-home mother,
she keeps the lights off all day. She doesn't use her air conditioning,
either.
Souto said she was locked out of her house for 90 minutes Monday because a
blackout cut power to her garage door. She says she's not sure who to blame.
Paul Finch, 38, of Westminster blames Edison and Gov. Gray Davis.
"I don't believe info I get from Edison or from our illustrious governor,"
Finch said. "There's more to it than how they've represented it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
Blackout readiness on agenda
O.C. companies braced for outages Tuesday in different ways. Not all were
struck, but they felt the effects.
March 21, 2001
By TAMARA CHUANG
The Orange County Register
In case of a power failure Tuesday, the Fluor Corp. in Aliso Viejo stocked
elevators with homemade blackout kits, filled with cookies, flashlights and
bottles of water.
"They're in the elevators, although we've been told not to use the
elevators," said Lori Serrato, a company spokeswoman. "We're using the
stairwells, waiting for our time of darkness."
Tales of anxious preparation were more common than actual blackouts for
Orange County businesses Tuesday.
Edison told some companies, as special power users who've agreed to cut back
when asked, to expect to do so. Conexant Systems Inc. got a warning from
Edison and immediately shut down air conditioning and equipment not in use,
and stopped production. The blackout never came.
Kingston Technology Co., when notified by Edison on Tuesday morning,
broadcast the warning on the company intercom. The company also e-mailed
employees a guide explaining the blackout.
"It's already affected productivity. We've been busy getting all our e-mails
out before it happens," said Heather Jardin, a spokeswoman for the Fountain
Valley computer memory maker.
Kingston still had power by day's end, but in an emergency, the company's
manufacturing plants revert to Kingston's own power generators, Jardin said.
Heart valve maker Edwards Lifesciences turned on its backup generators
Tuesday morning, "because of the potential for there to be a blackout in our
area," said company spokesman Scott Nelson. But (as of 3:30 p.m.) the
blackout didn't materialize, Nelson said.
At the regional office in Irvine, Verizon Wireless implemented conservation
efforts, such as motion sensors that shut off lights after 30 minutes of
inactivity, and separate heating and air conditioning units on all floors.
Some of the company's cell sites in Orange County and Los Angeles did lose
power Monday and Tuesday, but they automatically switched to backup battery
sources.
Other companies - PacifiCare, ICN Pharmaceuticals, Beckman Coulter and
Allergan - said they took precautions, turning out some hallway lights and
communicating safety procedures to employees.
Disneyland, Ingram Micro in Santa Ana and Western Digital Corp. in Lake
Forest all were prepared.
But none reported blackouts by day's end.
Some county businesses did get hit.
Businesses along the 900 block of South Coast Drive - including 14 stores at
the Metro Point shopping center in Costa Mesa - went dark about 10:20 a.m.
"All of a sudden it was dark," said Henry Gonzalez, manager of Boudin Bakery.
"We ran out of coffee. We couldn't bake anything. We tried to accommodate as
best as we can."
Other stores simply closed during the blackout, frustrating shoppers.
"We walked over to (Marshalls) and it was dark and there was a sign on the
door that said 'Due to the blackout, we're closed,'" said shopper Roberta
Allison, a West Virginia tourist. "Don't they warn people here? Do they just
whack the power off?"
Marshalls employees escorted customers out of the store when the power went
out. Other stores, including Nordstrom Rack and Best Buy, were not affected.
Across the street from the center, employees spilled out of office buildings
cheering and waving their hands in victory as power outages forced them to
halt work.
"Lots of people just walked out of the office to run errands," said Amy
Bateman, a loan officer at Capital Funding Group in Costa Mesa.
She said her office building, at 940 South Coast Drive, went dark for about
70 minutes. Like dozens of others in the building, she was working at her
desk when the computers and lights went dark.
"We've just been sitting around. We can't do anything," said Bateman.
The blackout hit other businesses on Monday.
Buy.com employees spent their hour without power using their wireless
Blackberry pagers to answer and send e-mail.
The Crazy Horse Steakhouse in Irvine lost power after the lunch rush, said
Donna Mulkey, the restaurant's manager. Since the broilers remained hot, the
cooks kept cooking and the customers kept eating. When they finished, waiters
calculated the bills by hand.
At Broadcom Corp. in Irvine, the power went out just before Rep. Christopher
Cox was to tour the facility.
"It struck me as particularly ironic," Cox told members of the House
subcommittee on energy and air quality Tuesday, that Broadcom's co-founder,
Henry Samueli, "spent the hour before the meeting using a letter opener to
open his paper mail and sitting by the window so he could get some sunlight
to read."
Cox, R-Newport Beach, told the panel, which was holding a hearing on
California's electricity crisis, that "the entire company could not function
during this period of time and the same was true for more than a million
people," he said. "It's a Third World experience in California."
Register reporters Chris Farnsworth, Dena Bunis, Bernard Wolfson, Nancy Luna,
Eric Johnson, Elizabeth Aguilera and Jennifer Hieger contributed to this
story.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
Calif To Order Utils To Pay Small Generators Up Front-Gov
03/21/2001
Dow Jones Energy Service
(Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)-- California regulators will order the state's two
largest utilities to pay small, independent power generators in advance, a
move Gov. Gray Davis hopes will bring a quick end to the blackouts that
darkened California this week.
Davis accused PG&E Corp. (PCG) unit Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Edison
International (EIX) unit Southern California Edison of taking in money from
customers while failing to pay the generators, known as qualifying
facilities, which produce up to one-third of the state's power. As a result,
he said, the utilities are partly responsible for this week's blackouts.
"It's wrong and irresponsible of the utilities to pocket this money and not
pay the generators," the governor said at a Capitol news conference Tuesday
evening. "They've acted irresponsibly and immorally and it has to stop."
The state lost about 3,100 megawatts, or enough electricity to power 3.1
million homes, on Tuesday from alternative energy plants that say they can't
afford to keep operating because the utilities haven't paid their bills in
weeks. The utilities, which are near bankruptcy, owe the QFs about $1
billion. Pacific Gas & Electric has made partial payments.
As reported by Dow Jones Newswires, Southern California Edison met with
representatives of the governor Tuesday to discuss plans to begin making
partial payments to the QFs. Pacific Gas & Electric , which called Davis'
statements "inappropriate and unjustified," said it has informed the QFs and
the governor's office that it plans to begin paying the QFs in full going
forward.
Davis said the PUC planned to issue an order next week directing the
utilities to prepay future bills to the QFs.
Edison and PG&E say they have lost more than $13 billion since last June to
climbing wholesale electricity prices, which the state's 1996 deregulation
law prevents them from passing on to ratepayers. California has been spending
about $45 million a day since January to buy power for the utilities'
customers, but hasn't included QF-generated power in its purchases.
Keepers of the state's power grid were cautiously optimistic that California
might get through Wednesday without another day of rolling blackouts after
two idle plants were returned to service. A Stage 1 power alert, the mildest
of three forms of alerts, was called around 6 a.m. Wednesday as power
reserves fell to around 7 percent.
About a half-million customers were hit by Tuesday's blackouts, which snarled
traffic and plunged schools and businesses into darkness from San Diego to
the Oregon border. Tuesday's outages began at 9:30 a.m. and continued in
90-minute waves until about 2 p.m., when the ISO lifted its blackout order.
They were blamed for at least one serious traffic accident.
The blackouts were caused by a combination of problems, including
unseasonably warm weather, reduced electricity imports from the Pacific
Northwest, numerous power plants being shut down for repairs and the loss of
power from QFs.
Meanwhile, a leading lawmaker on energy issues said the PUC may soon have to
raise rates by about 15% to cover the state's costs and its utilities' bills.
"My sense is that people will appreciate having some certainty and being able
to plan for it," said Assemblyman Fred Keeley. "They don't have to like it,
but I think they'll appreciate it."
Davis has said he is confident the utilities and the state can pay their
bills without further rate increases.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
PG&E Says It Is Negotiating With Qualifying Facilities
03/21/2001
Dow Jones Energy Service
(Copyright (c) 2001, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
(This article was originally published Tuesday)
LOS ANGELES -(Dow Jones)- PG&E Corp. (PCG) unit Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
said Tuesday it is offering small generators, or "qualifying facilities",
prepayment of $200 million per month so they will have the funds to return to
the state power grid.
But high level sources at the qualifying facilities who are involved in the
negotiations said PG&E's proposal is incomplete and doesn't address the issue
of past due payments.
The sources said PG&E had discussions with some qualifying facility operators
last week regarding the plan and it wasn't accepted at that time.
About 3,000 megawatts of power from qualifying facilities, or QFs, have been
off the state's grid since Monday because the generators weren't being paid
by utilities and couldn't afford to continue operating. The QFs unavailable
power was partly responsible for Monday and Tuesday's statewide rolling
blackouts.
Also Tuesday, California Gov. Gray Davis will hold a press conference to
discuss progress made in negotiations with the QFs to revise their contracts
with the state's two nearly-bankrupt utilities so that the utilities pay less
for power.
Edison International (EIX) unit Southern California Edison also said Tuesday
it intends to make partial payments on an ongoing basis to some QFs.
Edison executives met with Gov. Gray Davis' negotiating team Tuesday to
discuss how and when SoCal Ed can begin to make payments, and a spokesman
said they hope to have a plan in a matter of days.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has made partial payments of about $51 million to
the QFs it contracts with, but owes much more. Edison owes the QFs hundreds
of millions of dollars and hasn't paid the QFs since November. Together, the
two utilities owe QFs about $1 billion.
PG&E said it has been collecting about $400 million per month from ratepayers
to pay QFs and other generators with which it has bilateral contracts, the
state grid operator for spot power purchases, and costs of its own
generation.
The average combined bill for those costs exceeds $1.4 billion per month,
PG&E said.
"This mismatch between revenues and costs requires tough choices. Since there
isn't enough money in rates to cover all these costs, the Public Utilities
Commission decision on how this $400 million will be allocated going forward
will determine our ability to make advance payments to QFs," said Gordon R.
Smith, the utility's president and CEO.
The PUC is responsible for implementing the legislation which allows the
state to buy power and will decide how much of utilities' ratepayer revenue
will go to the state for power purchases and how much will go to the
utilities.
For several weeks, a number of QFs have taken their generating units offline
because they can no longer afford to buy fuel needed to run their units.
QFs supply California with one-third of its total power supply.
PG&E and SoCal Ed have almost $13 billion in purchased power undercollections
because they cannot collect full costs from customers protected by a
state-mandated rate freeze.
-By Jessica Berthold, Dow Jones Newswires; 323-658-3872;
[email protected]
-(Jason Leopold contributed to this article.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
By Dave Todd
[email protected]
U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham declared this week that the Big Apple
is on the verge of being bitten hard by power cuts and rising energy prices.
Delivering the keynote address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's national
energy summit in Washington Monday, Abraham said, "California is not the only
state facing a mismatch between supply and demand," what with "electricity
shortages predicted for New York City and Long Island this summer" and low
capacity margins threatening electricity reliability elsewhere across the
country. But how likely is it that New Yorkers will face blackouts of the
sort confronting Californians?
Not very, says energy trade specialist Edward Krapels, managing director of
Boston-based METIS Trading Advisors. Krapels, a consultant helping major
Northeastern utilities, such as Consolidated Edison, design market-hedging
programs, adamantly decried what he said are facile comparisons between
conditions in New York and California, there being "more differences than
there are similarities" between those two industrial cornerstones of the
country's economy in respect to energy security management.
"First of all, New York has a more varied portfolio of energy generation
sources than California," he said. California has hydro, nuclear and gas, but
when it lost a lot of hydro, the state needed gas to pick up the slack, and
the "capacity just wasn't there." In New York's case, the state has oil and
coal still in the mix and its overall dependence on gas is much lower than
California's, Krapels added.
New York avoids making same mistakes
Portfolio diversity is one pillar of any effective plan to help New York
avoid the same errors made in redesigning California's marketplace. New
York's Independent System Operator (ISO), in a new report warning that the
state is at an "energy crossroads" in terms of its capacity adequacy in the
immediate future, argues that a concerted effort is required to arrest
declining in-state generation capacity reserve margins, and a strategy must
be put in place, whether or not new generation comes on-line, in accordance
with current anticipated scenarios.
A measure of New York's essential difficulty is that, between 1995 and 2000,
statewide demand for electricity grew 2,700 MW, while generating capacity
expanded by only 1,060 MW. With no major new generating plants in downstate
New York fully approved, the gap is expected to continue to widen. To avoid
"a replication of California's market meltdown" the New York ISO calculates
the state's daily generating capacity needs to grow by 8,600 MW by 2005, with
more than half of that located in New York City and on Long Island.
Expressing concern this may be too big a burden for the current bureaucratic
process to bear, the ISO wants to see a state-appointed ombudsman named to
help would-be merchant power plant investors plow through red tape.
"Increasing New York's generating capacity will also lessen the state's
escalating and risky reliance on out-of-state sources of electricity," the
ISO added. "Since 1999, New York State has been unable to cover its reserve
requirements from in-state sources."
Not everyone agrees with that analysis, insofar as it argues for circling the
wagons inward. Some analysts believe the ultimate solution lies not in tying
in more inwardly dedicated power, but in expanding the marketplace by
breaking down inter-jurisdictional barriers. In any case, New York energy
regulatory authorities and those responsible elsewhere in the U.S. Northeast,
such as PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland) Interconnection and the New
England Power Pool, are in vastly better shape in terms of "cross-border"
cooperation than California and its neighbors in that efforts are being made
among various authorities toward developing an integrated regional
electricity market. In California, by contrast, the state's focus*for
example, in the case of new gas-fired power plant development*has been to
ensure dedicated supply to the California market alone, rather than on a
regional marketplace.
The New York ISO's new broad-based analysis of market-restructuring needs
argues that the relatively stronger health of its reformed environment is
"due in large part to the ability of New York's utilities to enter into
long-term power contracts."
What needs to be done most, it says, is to move aggressively to build some of
the more than 29,000 MW of "proposed new generation in the siting pipeline."
In the meantime, the 30,200 MW of electricity New Yorkers used on a peak day
last summer shouldn't be eclipsed on too many days this coming summer (given
early long-range weather forecasts). Demand, however, is expected to increase
at an annual average rate of up to 1.4%.
So while New York City, the rest of the state and adjacent parts might
breathe easy this year, it could be a brief rest from the fray. Meanwhile, a
4% shortfall is still being planned for this summer that is not yet provided
for, as authorities hurriedly seek to arrange new generation plants around
Manhattan, on Long Island and even on barges offshore.
One way or another, whether it is the weather or the politics of siting new
energy facilities, it's going to be a hot time in the city.
Long-term solutions hit brick wall
Meanwhile, attempts at longer-term solutions continue to run into trouble.
Last week, Connecticut state regulators came out against a proposal to run a
new underwater cable under Long Island Sound that Hydro-Quebec subsidiary
TransEnergie U.S. Ltd. wants to build to pump more juice into Long Island
Power Authority's load pocket. Despite strong promises from TransEnergie to
be diligent in avoiding damage to oyster beds in Long Island Sound, the
proposal failed to convince authorities, who were persuaded the pipeline
project could lead to diversion of electricity from Connecticut.
In similar fashion, private companies wanting to build 10 small independent
power plants and temporary generators offshore New York City are running into
intense opposition from environmental groups and citizen organizations*some
of whom have taken their cases to the state assembly in Albany.
The David vs. Goliath nature of such controversies has further alerted energy
companies to the difficulties of addressing complex energy supply issues that
may ultimately devolve to people not wanting things in their backyard,
regardless of what the alternative might mean to their fellow citizens or the
greater public good.
But suddenly, in New York, California's troubles*while still distant in their
intensity* may not be so far away. By some estimates, this summer's bills for
Consolidated Edison customers could be up as much as one third or more over
last year's charges.
Letting the time slip when it comes to building new infrastructure isn't
going to make the pain go away.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
We are all fragile.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld (www.BlackBerry.net)
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
<html>
<head>
<title>untitled</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#9999ff">
<center><font face="arial" size="+2" color="Red"><I>Shocking Porn</I></font><br></center>
<br><br>
<font face="arial" size="+2" color="Red"><u><I>Deep Fisting</I></u></font><br>
Want to see some <B>Fisting Pictures</B> before we have to take them away?
Join now for only $1.95 Trial<br>
<A HREF="http://fistdeep.com/index.php?zzzipe">Click Here Now</A>
and Signup before we are made to take down these pictures.<br>
<P>
<font face="arial" size="+2" color="Red"><u><I>Dr. Pain</I></u></font><br>
Like<b> pain</b>? We guarantee you have never seen a site like this before! <br>
<a href="http://drpain.com/index.php?zzzipe">Click here for Dr. Pain</a> and see pain give pleasure.
<br><br><P>
<font face="arial" size="+2" color="Red"><u><I>Smooth Thai</I></u></font><br>
One of the top asian sites on the net. Totally <b>uncensored and shocking</b> asian hardcore. <br>
<a href="http://smooththai.com/index.php?zzzipe">Click here now for Smooth Thai</a>
<br><br><P>
<font face="arial" size="+2" color="Red"><u><I>The Adult Vault</I></u></font><br>
One of the top hardcore sites on the net. Totally <b>uncensored and shocking</b> hardcore porn. <br>
Pissing, fisting, fetishes, and double penetration. Nothing is left to the imagination.
<a href="http://theadultvault.com/index.php?zzzipe">Click Here and get in side the adult vault</a>
<br>
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
</body>
</html>
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
---------------------- Forwarded by Vince J Kaminski/HOU/ECT on 05/23/2000
06:46 PM ---------------------------
[email protected] (Michael Tomczyk) on 05/18/2000 10:56:08 AM
To: [email protected]
cc: [email protected]
Subject: Wharton Event-June10-Insead
Vincent,
It was truly a pleasure getting to know you in our meeting yesterday, and I
look forward to the prospect of exchanging views in the future on a variety
of topics pertaining to emerging technologies.
Per our discussion, I've enclosed three files that include an invitation,
agenda and rsvp form for the June 10 symposium on High Tech Acquisitions at
Insead. If you or the individual(s) who will be attending have any
questions, please email: Phanish Puranam at: [email protected] or
you can call him at 215-898-1231.
This initiative will be expanded during the coming year and I believe that
Enron's involvement will give the company access to some of the early
research in progress as it unfolds, and of course, if you become involved
as a partner in the Emerging Technologies Program you would have
opportunities to help guide the direction of the research which is one of
the partnership "benefits."
Our next upcoming events are scheduled for:
Friday, September 8
"WHAT NEXT ON THE INTERNET?"
This is a faculty update day with industry partners also invited.
We will co-sponsor this with Wharton's major e-Business initiative.
Major issues addresses include "New Economics of the Web" and
"Internet, Anywhere."
Friday, October 20
"FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGE, SHAKEOUTS & SURVIVAL STRATEGIES"
Designed by the ET core group and
presented in collaboration with the e-Commerce Forum.
As I indicated during our discussion, participation in the Emerging
Technologies Management Research Program is by invitation and on behalf of
our core faculty, I am pleased to extend an invitation for Enron to join
the program.
To assist in your decision, we recommend having a representative attend the
symposium in Paris on June 10 to "test drive" the program.
I'll send you a formal invitation which you are free to accept at your
convenience, should you agree that Enron's participation in the ET Program
would be of value.
Please call or email if you have any comments or questions.
best regards,
Michael
- Insead workshop Invitation lett - Insead Workshop Agenda1.doc - RSVP
form.doc
Michael S. Tomczyk
Managing Director
Emerging Technologies Management Research Program
1400 SH-DH/6371
The Wharton School
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6371
Tel 215-573-7722
Fax 215-573-2129
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
California Regulators Back Rate Increase For Utilities
* California regulators indicated yesterday that they are willing to
raise rates for electric utilities EIX and PCG, following a review of their
finances
* Hearings to review utilities' financial status in hearings on Dec.
27 and 28
* KEY DATE: January 4, when we expect they will vote to raise rates
* We see this action as positive for the utilities, because it reduces
the likelihood of insolvency or bankruptcy, although further action is
required, in our view
* We also see it as positive for our Growth Energy companies. Any
reduction in financial pressure on the utilities equates to reduced pressure
to re-regulate the wholesale power industry, in our view
* The results of the action were in line with our expectation; we
recommend investors buy the Growth Energy names on weakness. In particular,
we highlight DYN, CPN, NRG, SOE and DUK.
<<CA Power Market II 12-22-00.pdf>>
Raymond C. Niles
Power/Natural Gas Research
Salomon Smith Barney
(212) 816-2807
[email protected]
s
- CA Power Market II 12-22-00.pdf
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Janet,
The amendment is effective as of June 1, 2001. That is the date on which
the price changes and the date that the term is extended and the date the
meter number is added. I have corrected the contract number on the first
line for the proper reference to the assigned contract.
Janet H Wallis/ENRON@enronXgate
05/17/2001 10:38 AM
To: Dan J Hyvl/HOU/ECT@ECT
cc:
Subject: RE: entex amendment attached for your review
Looks good....does it cover the the pricing of $3.155 begins 6/01?
-----Original Message-----
From: Hyvl, Dan
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 10:31 AM
To: Wallis, Janet H.
Subject: entex amendment attached for your review
<< File: 2001-01amd.doc >>
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Please disregard my previous email and my oversight concerning Exhibit "D". I will make the revisions as noted an send the agreement to you for execution,.
Many thanks,
Debra
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]@ENRON [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 10:29 AM
To: Perlingiere, Debra
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: ENRON Master Gas Agreement
Ms. Perlingiere:
Our legal counsel has concluded their review of the Master Firm/Purchase/Sale
Agreement, the draft of which you forwarded to me via e-mail on 8/20/01.
Please make the following revisions:
Exhibit A - TO CUSTOMER:
Notices/Correspondence:
South Jersey Industries Inc.
1 South Jersey Plaza
Folsom, New Jersey 08037
Attn: Risk Management Department
Tel No. 609-561-9000
Fax No. 609-704-1304
Invoices and Payments:
South Jersey Resources Group, LLC
2350 Airport Freeway, Suite 200
Bedford, Texas 76022
Attn: Mark Tomich
Tel No. 817-283-0822
Fax No. 817-283-1080
Nominations and Confirmations:
South Jersey Resources Group, LLC.
Tel No. 817-283-0891
Fax No. 817-283-1080
Exhibit C (page 2 - paragraph 7) To Contract Party:
Exhibit D (page 2 - paragraph 7) To Guarantor:
South Jersey Industries, Inc.
Attn. Risk Management Department
One South Jersey Plaza
Route 54, Folsom, NJ 08037
Telephone # 609-561-9000
Facsimile # 609-704-1304
Also: on Exhibit D, bottom of page 2, correct the spelling of INDUSTRIES
We have no other revisions/amendments that need to be made.
Once these changes have been made, please forward the original document to us
for signature.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Are you just hanging around waiting on me?
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Notice No. 00-318
September 7, 2000
TO: ALL COMEX DIVISION MEMBERS
FROM: M. Dawn Lowe
Vice President and Assistant Corporate Secretary
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to Supplement No. 2 "Licensed Depositories and
Weighmasters for Silver" of the Silver Futures Contract
Attached please find proposed amendments to Supplement No. 2 "Licensed
Depositories and Weighmasters for Silver" of the Silver Futures Contract. The
proposed amendments add Brink,s Incorporated,s facility at 652 Kent Avenue,
Brooklyn, New York and Delaware Depository Service Company, LLC,s facilities
at 3601 North Market Street and 4200 Governor Printz Boulevard, Wilmington,
Delaware as Licensed Depositories for silver deliverable against the Silver
Futures Contract.
The proposed amendments to Supplement No. 2 "Licensed Depositories and
Weighmasters for Silver" of the Silver Futures Contract affects a "Special
Matter" under the terms of the COMEX By-Laws. Accordingly, COMEX Division
Members have ten (10) days to submit a petition signed by owners of at least
155 COMEX Division Memberships requesting a vote of the COMEX Division
Members to disapprove the amendments, pursuant to the procedures set forth
under COMEX By-Law 205(D). If a petition is not received, or if the amendment
is not disapproved, it will be submitted to the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC).
Please contact Albert J. Getz at 212-299-2608 for additional information.
Silver Supplement No. 2 Proposed Rule Amendments
Capital letters indicate additions; [ ] indicate deletions.
Commodity Exchange, Inc.
Licensed Depositories and Weighmasters for Silver
New York
1. ScotiaMocatta Depository,
A Division of The Bank of Nova Scotia
4 World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
Orders: 212-912-8530
Facilities:
4 World Trade Center
New York, NY
Computer Code:
3002
2. HSBC Bank
1 West 39th Street, SC 2 Level
New York, NY 10018
Orders: 212-525-6439
Facilities:
1 West 39th Street, SC Level 2
New York, NY
Computer Code:
5001
3. BRINK'S INCORPORATED
SUITE 400
580 5TH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10036
ORDERS: 718-260-2200
Facilities:
642 KENT AVENUE
BROOKLYN, NY
Delaware
1. DELAWARE DEPOSITORY SERVICE COMPANY, LLC
3601 NORTH MARKET STREET
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19802
ORDERS: 302-765-3884
Facilities:
3601 NORTH MARKET STREET
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
and
4200 GOVERNOR PRINTZ BLVD.
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
Additional Licensed Weighmasters For Silver
1. International Testing Laboratories, Inc.
578-582 Market Street
Newark, NJ 07105
Orders: (201) 589-4772
2. Ledoux & Company
359 Alfred Avenue
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Orders: NJ (201) 837-7160
__________________________________________________
Please click on the link below to indicate you have received this
email.
"http://208.206.41.61/email/[email protected]&refdo
c=(00-318)"
Note: If you click on the above line and nothing happens, please copy
the text between the quotes, open your internet browser,
paste it into the web site address and press Return.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
After conferring with Rob Cole, I will make my recommendation to Mr. Derrick
today as to local counsel so that we may get a responsive pleading on file in
a timely fashion. Thereafter, Rob and I will coordinate the defense with
local counsel and report in the usual fashion.
-----Original Message-----
From: White, Bonnie
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 6:14 PM
To: Sanders, Richard
Cc: Edison, Andrew; Guinn, Linda; Grant, David; Cole, Rob
Subject: Brunilda Ocasio Cuadro, et al. v. San Juan Gas Company
You will have received notice of service of process in the above-referenced
case today. This is a slip and fall case filed against San Juan Gas. The
Risk Management group already has a file on this matter, as the plaintiff had
previously filed a demand. Upon investigation, Risk Management determined
that the plaintiff's alleged accident occurred at a facility that is NOT
owned by San Juan Gas, and, thus, denied the claim. The matter will be
handled as a Risk Management matter, and Dave Grant will manage the
activities of outside counsel. If you need any further information on this
matter, please contact Dave.
Thanks.
Bonnie J. White
Enron Litigation Unit
1400 Smith Street, Suite 4824
Houston, TX 77002
Ph: 713-853-7244
Fax: 713-853-6576
[email protected]
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Nancy Wodka
Bracewell & Patterson
2000 K Street (20th at K)
DC
202 8285000 is the main number
FAX 202 223 1225
Kay
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Lorie -
Sorry for the delay in responding. I have no comments on the content,
however, the disclaimer at the bottom needs to be changed. I have attached a
draft of the language I think works best and is consistent with similar
pieces promoted by other Enron UK affiliates.
Please let me know if you should need anything further.
Mark
Senior Counsel, EWS
Phone: 713-345-8897
Facsimile: 713-646-3490
E-Mail: [email protected]
Lorie Hernandez/ENRON@enronXgate
05/21/2001 09:50 AM
To: Mark Greenberg/NA/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: New Newsletter on EnronOnline
Mark,
;
We are looking to place a new newsletter on EnronOnline.; The newsletter will
reside within the secure site under the Enron Content section.; Can you take
a look and let me know if you have any issues or concerns that would prohibit
us from displaying it on the site?;
;
;
Thanks,
Lorie E. Hernandez
713.853.6283
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Stuart:
These are the questions we have answered for them. Please review and make
sure that they are in accordance with ENA's information policies. We are
sending this out to them today. Thanks
Ben
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Hello, Shelley! I just want to confirm that this speech is just a talking
speech. The word slides is used, and I just want to confirm that there are
no 35mm slides involved....correct?
Cindy
Shelley Corman
11/15/2000 01:17 PM
To: Cindy Stark/Corp/Enron@ENRON, Stanley Horton/Corp/Enron@Enron
cc: David L Johnson/OTS/Enron@ENRON, Phil Lowry/OTS/Enron@ENRON, John
Shafer/OTS/Enron@Enron, Jeffrey Keeler/Corp/Enron@ENRON
Subject: Pipeline Safety Update to Natural Gas Council
Attached is a draft presentation for Stan to use during his 15 minute
pipeline safety update at the Natural Gas Council meeting in Houston on
November 29. Please view the attached file in notes format to see the
talking points. Stan plans to handout copies of the slides.
Dave/Phil/John -- please check the slides for accuracy.
The current draft does not make mention of a possible voluntary program or
request and particular support from the Natural Gas Council. We may want to
add these points. Also, the attached draft does not reflect any points from
the NTSB hearings being held this week.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
---------------------- Forwarded by Richard B Sanders/HOU/ECT on 04/28/2000
12:46 PM ---------------------------
[email protected] on 04/28/2000 11:15:11 AM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: Letter from Pat Gillman
The attached letter is being sent to you from Patricia Gillman.
(See attached file: Sanders Letter 4_28_00.doc)
- Sanders Letter 4_28_00.doc
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Notice No. 00-312
September 5, 2000
TO:
ALL NYMEX AND COMEX MEMBERS
FROM: Neal L. Wolkoff, Executive Vice President
DATE: September 5, 2000
RE: Reminder Notice on Change of Trading Hours for Light Sweet Crude Oil,
Heating Oil, Gasoline and Natural Gas Futures and for Natural Gas Options
REGULAR TRADING HOURS SESSION
Beginning on Friday, September 8, the RTH market opens for Natural Gas
futures and for Natural Gas option contracts both will be moved up (from
10:00 a.m.) to 9:30 a.m.; the market closes for these contracts will remain
the same. The RTH hours for all other energy contracts will remain the same.
NYMEX ACCESS TRADING SESSION
The new trading hours listed below for the NYMEX ACCESS trading session will
commence on Thursday, September 7, for trade date September 8. The hours for
Natural Gas have been greatly expanded. Crude Oil, Heating Oil and Unleaded
Gasoline will trade for an additional hour (until 9:00 a.m.)
OLD TRADING HOURS ON NYMEX ACCESS
1. Natural Gas Futures & Options
Sunday: Do not currently trade during this session
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
2. Crude Oil Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 AM
3. Heating Oil Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 AM
4. Unleaded Gasoline Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 AM
NEW TRADING HOURS ON NYMEX ACCESS
Beginning 9/07 for Trade Date 9/08
1. Natural Gas Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 9:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 AM
2. Crude Oil Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 9:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 AM
3. Heating Oil Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 9:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 AM
4. Unleaded Gasoline Futures & Options
Sunday: 7:00 PM - 9:00 AM
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 AM
If you have any questions, please contact George Henderson, Vice President,
NYMEX Floor Department, at (212) 299-2071.
__________________________________________________
Please click on the link below to indicate you have received this
email.
"http://208.206.41.61/email/[email protected]&refdo
c=(00-312)"
Note: If you click on the above line and nothing happens, please copy
the text between the quotes, open your internet browser,
paste it into the web site address and press Return.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Attached are the latest drafts of 3 of the Cross-Guarantee agreements. I
have the other nine as well, in case you need them. The agreements are
basically identical with one exception. The debt to Enron in Raptor 3
(approx. $259MM) is excluded from the Guarantees. You may also note that
this debt is not represented on the DPRs which I sent earlier. This is
because the formation of Raptor 3 was a failed FAS 125 transaction, therefore
we did not get sale treatment and can't recognize the debt in looking at
credit capacity. Let me know if you have questions or if you need the other
nine guarantees. Thanks,
Ron
----- Forwarded by Ron Baker/Corp/Enron on 01/03/2001 09:40 AM -----
"Kornreich, Craig" <[email protected]>
12/18/2000 04:55 PM
To: "Curry, Alicia" <[email protected]>, "Mintz, Jordan (Enron)"
<[email protected]>, "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
cc: "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>,
"'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>,
"'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>, "Patel Trushar (Enron)"
<[email protected]>, "Tiller, AnnMarie (Enron)"
<[email protected]>, "'[email protected]'"
<[email protected]>, "'[email protected]'"
<[email protected]>, "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>,
"'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>, "Spradling, Mark"
<[email protected]>, "Halbert, Elaine" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Cross-Guarantees
Attached please find drafts of the 3 remaining Raptor Guaranty Agreements
(i.e., those where Pronghorn is the beneficiary).
Regards,
Craig S. Kornreich
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2300 First City Tower
1001 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77002
Ph (713) 758-4816
Fax (713) 615-5862
E-mail: [email protected]
++++++CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE+++++
The information in this email may be confidential and/or privileged. This
email is intended to be reviewed by only the individual or organization
named above. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized
representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
review, dissemination or copying of this email and its attachments, if any,
or the information contained herein is prohibited. If you have received
this email in error, please immediately notify the sender by return email
and delete this email from your system. Thank You
- Talon (I) ifo Pronghorn (III) Cross-Guarantee.DOC
- Timberwolf (II) ifo Pronghorn (III) Cross-Guarantee (v.2).DOC
- Bobcat (IV) ifo Pronghorn (III) Cross-Guarantee.DOC
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Joe,
FYI
David W. Eubanks Jr
Specialist - Physical Gas Settlements
Enron Net Works, LLC
Phone 713-853-6678
Fax 713-646-8420
email: [email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Bowen, Melba A.
Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 9:42 AM
To: Ryder, Patrick
Cc: Eubanks Jr., David W.
Subject: Price Change Requested
Patricia - Dave Eubanks in Settlements called this morning requesting a price change. This is per Joe Parkes (X39636). The Deal # is 1198556, Duke Energy Field Services L.P. for 12/01. Is this something you can take care of?
Thanks!
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Jack:
I will send you an open issues list shortly. I considered items # 2,3,4,6,
9, 12, 17, 18, 19 and 21 to be credit-related comments, some of which I need
my credit person's input on. As to the remaining points, here is my response:
1. Let's discuss exactly what language you want in item #1 as I agree with
you on the concept.
2. With respect to item #7, your interpretation is correct.
3. I am not clear on what your point is in items #9 and 21. As a general
rule, with respect to setoff rights, to the extent that ENA is the
Non-Defaulting Party and ENA's affiliates have entered into other agreements
with Inland Paperboard and Packaging, amounts owed under those affiliate
agreements can be setoff against amounts owed under the ISDA. All the
guaranty is trying to say is that the amount guaranteed under the Guaranty
takes into account the exercise of such setoff rights.
4. I'm not sure I understand your point #10.
5. I agree with your point #13.
6. With respect to point #14, collateral is limited to cash and LC's and the
concept of a custodial account applies when someone other than the Secured
Party is holding the cash collateral.
7. With respect to point #19, we want the ability to convert the LC into cash
collateral when an Event of Default occurs even if we have not yet terminated
all transactions. Once we have terminated and established a termination
amount, we would only draw to cover that amount if we didn't draw earlier.
8. The "deemed occurrence" language is meant to cover termination events
that occur automatically without either party electing to terminate, such as
in a bankruptcy scenario where automatic early termination is elected. We
could probably take it out since there is no automatic early termination on
bankruptcy.
I look forward to hearing from you. My credit person is out this week, but
maybe you and I can make some progress.
Carol St. Clair
EB 3889
713-853-3989 (Phone)
713-646-3393 (Fax)
[email protected]
"Falconi, Jack (TIFS)" <[email protected]>
05/29/2001 10:16 AM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: RE: Meeting
Hi Carol -
Sorry for the delay. The "credit person" at Inland is probably Julie Beck,
although she can naturally be overruled by the Temple-Inland Treasurer, Dave
Turpin, or CFO Randy Levy, since Temple-Inland will be obtaining the letter
of credit and will serve as guarantor. Since they are at least one step
removed from the process, if you could tell me what questions/comments from
my 5/16 memo they will need to address, and ideally your
responses/commentary in some summary format, I can upstream this information
to them, obtain their feedback, and speak on their behalf.
Thanx,
Jack Falconi
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 3:57 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Meeting
Jack:
My assistant will be calling you to set up a time next week when Ken Curry
and I can discuss your comments with you and your credit person. Her name
is Suzanne Adams.
Carol St. Clair
EB 3889
713-853-3989 (Phone)
713-646-3393 (Fax)
[email protected]
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Mike really enjoyed the meeting yesterday. Thank you both for attending. We are scheduled to have that same meeting every two weeks. I hope that one or both of you can attend via conference call or in person.. I will try to remember to call you on the day of the meeting to see if you want to attend or to advise you of any change in plans. Thanks again .
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Start Date: 4/10/01; HourAhead hour: 3; No ancillary schedules awarded. No
variances detected.
LOG MESSAGES:
PARSING FILE -->> O:\Portland\WestDesk\California Scheduling\ISO Final
Schedules\2001041003.txt
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Ike, with the danger of being too presumptious, I thought I would follow up
with an e-mail to suggest a procedure for trading settlement offers on
Wednesday. Attached I have a suggested template for each party to use so
that we can ensure that we are comparing "apples to apples". I would also
suggest that each party provide sufficient back-up to justify their numbers.
It may also be helpful for TVA and EPMI to use an independent party, such as
Charles Bone, as the intermediary to facilitate the transfer of each parties
settlement offer.
I am in the office over the next several days. Lets discuss at your earliest
convenience.
Regards
Dave Delainey
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
All transactions with these parties expired as of 3/31 there are no
outstanding deals.
Debra Perlingiere
Enron North America Corp.
Legal Department
1400 Smith Street, EB 3885
Houston, Texas 77002
[email protected]
Phone 713-853-7658
Fax 713-646-3490
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Dear Mr. Kaminski,
?
I will forward my resume. I am looking for a trading position. I have three
years of market-making experience in illiquid markets, which I beleive is
highly relevant. But it seems now that getting out of my contract is not an
alternative anymore.? I learned yesterday that my firm finally decided to
grant me what I wanted... a new desk. Sometimes I feel that when you become
a trader you come to trade everything, including your career.
?
?I thank you for your time and consideration.
?
Pierre
?
?
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Acknowledgments of General Electric Company
General Electric Company (&GE8) hereby:
(a) acknowledges that the assignment by DevCo to LLC and quitclaim by ENA
to LLC of all of the Assigned Rights is permitted under Section 22.2(a)(vi)
of each of the Assigned Contracts and furthermore, agrees to such assignment
as contemplated by this Agreement; and
(b) acknowledges that, as of the Effective Time and pursuant to Section
22.2(b) of each of the Assigned Contracts, (i) all references to the
Purchaser or the Agent in each of the Assigned Contracts shall be deemed to
be references to LLC, (ii) the Assigned Contracts and the Assigned Rights
(which include, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, any and
all associated warranties in connection therewith) and Assumed Obligations
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of LLC, (iii) each of
DevCo and ENA shall be irrevocably relieved of and forever discharged of and
from all liability under the Assigned Contracts, and (iv) GE shall look only
to LLC for the performance of the Assumed Obligations assigned pursuant to
this Agreement.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
In an effort to keep everybody posted, we are attaching a copy of the
stipulation we are filing today on behalf of Enron.
- 0353854.01
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
While there were some attempts late last week to attach the Senate pipeline
safety bill to final appropriations package before Congress adjourned, the
legislation was not included.
While Senator John McCain (R-AZ) requested that the measure not be included
in any spending bills, House and Senate Republicans at the negotiating table
over the Labor-HHS bill did propose inclusion of the pipeline safety bill.
However, House Democrats -- in particular, Rep. David Obey (D-WI) and Jim
Oberstar (D-MN) -- voiced strong objections, so the bill was not included.
Jeffrey Keeler
Director, Environmental Strategies
Enron
1775 Eye Street, N.W. Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 466-9157 - phone
(202) 331-4717 - fax
(888) 502-6856 or [email protected] - pager
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Lindy, FERC has consistently held that pipelines may make "operational" sales
of gas. Specifically this has included occasional sales of gas resulting
from cashout requirements and the buying and selling of gas to maintain
linepack levels. TW's sale of excess linepack gas would probably be fine.
By contrast, buying gas then turning around and reselling it would be suspect
as it would look too much like our unbundled merchant function.
Let me know if you have further questions.
Lindy Donoho
09/20/2000 04:43 PM
To: Steven Harris/ET&S/Enron@ENRON, Susan Scott/ET&S/Enron@ENRON
cc:
Subject: TW Buy/Sell Gas For Operations
In our Plan meeting, we were discussing UAF and Operation's objective to
reduce it. Operation's objective is a volumetric goal, but we are at risk
for the gas price. It started me thinking about our whole fuel expense.
TW's fuel expense is valued on our books at the TW systemwide index. Should
TW be hedging the fuel that we burn? Jan-Aug, 2000 (acctg months) Y-T-D fuel
expense is at $21MM ($2.6MM/month) at a total volume of 6.7 Bcf. This
summer, with high gas prices and Gallup in service, our fuel has been ranging
$3.4-3.8MM a month. Operations has objectives to minimize the fuel use, but
not the price.
How could we hedge our fuel used? Would we sell all the fuel retained (hedge
it as high as possible) and manage our fuel expense separately through its
own purchasing and hedging (as low as possible) effort? Could we have hedged
some portion of our fuel usage last year for this year at $2.36 (like we
hedged our excess fuel) and not be subject to the high prices we're seeing
this summer?
Do you think there is an opportunity here to manage our fuel expense more
effectively?
Susan,
I think you had looked at TW's ability to buy/sell gas a few months back
(when we were looking at fuel monetization). What did the FERC Order say
about under what circumstances TW could buy/sell gas?
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
----- Forwarded by Mark Whitt/NA/Enron on 02/16/2001 09:19 AM -----
Mark Whitt
Sent by: Mark Whitt
02/16/2001 09:18 AM
To: "Day, Brian (Denver)" <[email protected]>
cc:
Subject: RE: Opal Transaction Agreements
In regards to your Email,
1. You are right on Questar, I will fix that.
2. You are also correct on the "average". The deal would be the last day
settlement. I fixed that also and I have attached the corrected Transaction
Agreement.
3. The deal is a firm deal with Force Majeure provisions. It would be
subject to the terms of our Master Firm Agreement. We both need to review
that and make sure both sides are comfortable with what it says. If we have
concerns let's address that ASAP! If you need a copy let me know.
4. Holding this deal open until you receive Board Approval is difficult.
Obvously because of the size and nature of this transaction even the
slightest move in the basis markets has a huge dollar impact. I understand
that you need to get the approval, but it is very difficult, if not
impossible for us to hold a Nymex related deal, of this size and term, open
for that long of a time. I think the best way to handle this is for you to
get board approval for a target range for size and price and then we
transact.
Look this and the attached transaction agreement over and let's discuss.
Thanks
Mark
"Day, Brian (Denver)" <[email protected]>
02/16/2001 08:29 AM
To: "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
cc:
Subject: RE: Opal Transaction Agreements
A few things:
1. Questar Pipeline is not at the tailgate of Opal.
2. With respect to the price, do you mean the price will be set based on
the last day settlement of each individual month on the contract, or the
average of all the settlements. We would prefer to price it monthly based
on the last day settlement, I think that's what you mean, I just wanted to
verify. If that's not what you meant, let me know.
3. I just want to make sure that this is a firm purchase that could be
curtailed only due to force majeure.
I will hopefully be able to get back to you today on the deal, we are
checking credit to make sure we don't have a problem doing this much gas
with you guys, I don't think we'll have a problem but I'll let you know.
Because of the size and term of this deal, we have to get board approval,
and that is happening next Wednesday. Would you be able to do the deal
today subject to board approval? I don't foresee any problems with the
board, but we do need them to sign off on it.
Let me know what you think!
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 4:18 PM
To: Day, Brian (Denver)
Subject: Opal Transaction Agreements
Brian this is a draft version of what the Transaction Agreements would
like. Let me know if the form looks right to you. Obviously we will
adjust to what the actual deal is.
Thanks
Mark
(See attached file: AEC opal index1TA.doc)(See attached file: AEC opal
Nymex1TA.doc)
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Carol St. Clair
EB 3889
713-853-3989 (Phone)
713-646-3393 (Fax)
[email protected]
----- Forwarded by Carol St Clair/HOU/ECT on 05/31/2001 02:41 PM -----
"Lech Kalembka" <[email protected]>
05/31/2001 02:35 PM
To: [email protected]
cc: "David Mitchell" <[email protected]>
Subject: Revised UCC
As we discussed, I have attached a memo that discusses the Revised UCC
generally and an outline that focuses on the transition. Please call me if
you have any questions.
(See attached file: #441719 v1 - Revised UCC Memo.doc)(See attached file:
#561103 v4 - Revised Article 9 Transition Memo.doc)
Lech Kalembka
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
100 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
Tel.: (212) 504-6918
Fax: (212) 504-6666
E-mail: [email protected]
==============================================================================
NOTE: The information in this email is confidential and may be legally
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, use or
disseminate the information. Although this email and any attachments are
believed to be free of any virus or other defect
that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened,
it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and
no responsibility is accepted by Cadwalader, Wickersham
& Taft for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use.
==============================================================================
- #441719 v1 - Revised UCC Memo.doc
- #561103 v4 - Revised Article 9 Transition Memo.doc
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
I spoke with counsel for plaintiff Waste Management earlier today.? The
Ecogas deposition has been put off indefinitely pending settlement
discussions between Waste Management and defendant GSF.
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard, Steve
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 7:29 AM
To: '[email protected]'
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: can't you defer the ecogas depos? richard is calling to try
to settle as the company will no longer be operating and remaining
assets sold. please coordinate with richard.
Lisa:
We are talking with Richard, and we are working on deferring the depositions.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2000 1:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: can't you defer the ecogas depos? richard is calling to try to
settle as the company will no longer be operating and remaining assets
sold. please coordinate with richard.
Lisa J. Mellencamp
Enron North America Corp.
1400 Smith St.
Houston, TX? 77002
Tel:? (713) 853-7986
Fax: (713) 646-3393
E-mail:? [email protected]
This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential
information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or the employee
or agent responsible for delivery of this message to the intended
recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this e-mail message is strictly prohibited.
If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify
the sender and delete this e-mail message from your computer.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
If you have a membership and would like to have it renewed, please let me
know by the end of this week (Friday, 02/09/01).
Thanks,
Laura
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
}
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.