[IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE]     Wednesday, February 6, 2002  Home  - Email Preferences  - Account        [IMAGE]         [IMAGE]         [IMAGE]    SITE MENU      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   News    Power News     Gas News     Prices     Stock Market    Snapshots    Industry M & A     Power Plants     Nuclear Data     Power Marketing Data    Company Profiles    Investor Owned Utilities     Cooperatives     Municipals     State / Federal         [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]   NEW CONTENT!      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]     Include the following in your Energy Central Direct:  Electric Utility Restructuring Weekly Update  Closely tracked electric utility restructuring developments across the country.   Energy Central News Search  Search for Electric Power or Gas news stories up to 30 days old.       [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]   TALK TO US      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   Ideas Wanted!  We are eager to hear your ideas, feedback, and suggestions for this product.  Together we will create the most useful information tool for the electric power industry.   Partners Wanted!  Reach over 50,000 electric power professionals with your news, analysis,  commentary or insight into the industry. Call Mark Johnson at 303-782-5510       [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]  Advertisement RER      ELECTRIC POWER NEWS - TOP STORIES      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   [IMAGE] Energy Central's editors have selected these as the top stories of the day:    Audit to Examine Seattle City Light's Handling of Energy Crisis  By Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times, Feb. 5 Kenneth Lay Quits Enron's Board  Feb 05, 2002 - Associated Press OGE Energy says ice storm to cost over $100 mln  OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb 5 (Reuters) US utility pollution bill delayed until Easter  By Chris Baltimore, WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters)     [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]   ELECTRIC POWER NEWS - MOST REQUESTED      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   [IMAGE] These stories have been most requested by Energy Central members in the last two weeks.    Enron's Cutthroat Culture Is Deplored by Those It Served to Profit     By Claudia Kolker, The Boston Globe, Jan. 27  FERC audit shows flaws in Calif power grid operator     By Chris Baltimore, WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters)  Many States Reconsidering Electric Competition, MIT Professor Says     By Alan D. Fischer, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Jan. 30  Calif. regulators urged to shift power choice date     SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 28 (Reuters)  NY, New England power grid operators agree to join     NEW YORK, Jan 29 (Reuters)     [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]   GAS INDUSTRY NEWS - TOP STORIES      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   [IMAGE] Energy Central's editors have selected these as the top stories of the day:    FEATURE-Myanmar: a niche gas producer?  By Godwin Chellam, SINGAPORE, Feb 5 (Reuters) Kinder Morgan affirms guidance, ups share buyback  HOUSTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) Recent Talks on Alaska Gas-Pipeline Project Were Successful, Leaders Say  By Liz Ruskin, Anchorage Daily News, Alaska, Feb. 5     [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]      [IMAGE]   KWI [IMAGE]  [IMAGE]  IN THIS ISSUE     [IMAGE]      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]      Daily Edition for paul.d.thomas@enron.com  [IMAGE]     Electric Power News  Restructuring Today   RER's eMetrix Load Forecast: CAL ISO  Electric Power News - Top Stories  Electric Power News - Most Requested  Gas Industry News - Top Stories           Selected Content Not In This Issue   Utility Spotlight - Every Monday Utility Stock Price - Top Gainers - Each Tuesday      [IMAGE]     [IMAGE]      [IMAGE]  ELECTRIC POWER NEWS     [IMAGE]      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Selected 77 of 77  Articles Today!      THESE ARTICLES BROUGHT TO YOU BY     Gain the competitive intelligence you need to make the best business  decisions. Energy Central's Operating Plant Experience Code (OPEC) is a  must for all aspects of analyzing nuclear power plant performance. If  you need to identify or compare trends of lost generation, OPEC can help. Wouldn't it be great to be able to identify causes of poor performance?  OPEC can be used to set performance criteria at the system, component,  or unit level. Don't delay! Download a free trial version of OPEC today  at http://www.energycentral.com/sections/databases/OPEC         Top Stories     Kenneth Lay Quits Enron's Board   Feb 05, 2002 - Associated Press Now that he's resigned from Enron Corp.'s board of directors, Kenneth Lay is just another stockholder.  [IMAGE]   OGE Energy says ice storm to cost over $100 mln   OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb 5 (Reuters) Power company OGE Energy Corp. said on Tuesday the cost from the Jan. 30 ice storm that left hundreds of thousands without power in the U.S. heartlands could exceed $100 million.  [IMAGE]   US utility pollution bill delayed until Easter   By Chris Baltimore, WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) A Senate bill that would sharply cut air pollution produced by U.S. power plants will be delayed until late March as Democrats and Republicans try to craft a compromise version, a spokesman for the Senate environment panel said on Tuesday.  [IMAGE]   Audit to Examine Seattle City Light's Handling of Energy Crisis   By Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times, Feb. 5 A city audit will be done on Seattle City Light's handling of the energy crunch -- a crisis that has caused big rate increases and left the utility millions of dollars in debt.       Enron Debacle     Enron's Lay will accept subpoenas   By T.K. MALOY AND SCOTT BURNELL, WASHINGTON, Feb 05, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A lawyer for former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay said Tuesday his client will accept congressional subpoenas after earlier questions concerning his whereabouts, a spokeswoman for the House Financial Services Committee said.       Former Enron Accountant Says Worker-Benefits Funds Were Spent Elsewhere   By Kristen Mack, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 5 A former senior accountant at Enron told CBS News that the company took at least $15 million from legally protected worker-benefits accounts and spent it elsewhere.       Dynegy Lawyer Says Enron Only Has Itself to Blame   By Bill Murphy, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 5 Enron has only itself to blame for going bankrupt after Dynegy called off a proposed merger in December, Dynegy's lawyer said Monday.       Chair of Enron Board's Investigative Group Says Findings `Appalling'   By Patrice Hill, The Washington Times, Feb. 5 Emerging evidence of Enron's "systematic and pervasive attempt" to misrepresent its financial condition rattled stock investors yesterday and evoked pledges of swift enforcement and stepped-up regulation on Capitol Hill.       Andersen CEO says Enron panel rebuffed auditor input   WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - An Enron Corp. special board committee probing the energy trader's collapse ignored efforts by the company's long-time auditor Andersen to tell its side of the story, the chief executive of the Big Five accounting firm said on Tuesday.       Former Enron CEO Lay Was Smart to Back Out of Testifying, Experts Say   By Michelle Mittelstadt, The Dallas Morning News, Feb. 5 Former Enron chief executive Kenneth Lay's eleventh-hour decision to cancel a long-promised congressional appearance Monday drew a torrent of media attention, criticism from key politicians and the pledge of a Senate subpoena.       Former Enron Workers Who Traveled to Washington, D.C., Irked at Lay's No-Show   By Patty Reinert, Houston Chronicle, Feb. 5 Laid-off Enron Corp. workers, who traveled to Washington in hopes of confronting Ken Lay, said they were angry Monday that their former chairman backed out of his promise to testify before Congress.       Despite Energy Contract with Enron, Roseville, Calif., Officials Not Worried   By Art Campos, The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Feb. 4 Roseville's association with beleaguered Enron Corp. isn't troubling city leaders.       Critics Say Enron Report Lets Board Off Too Easy   Chicago Tribune, Feb. 5 The report commissioned by Enron Corp.'s board on the company's stunning collapse castigates the company's auditors and former managers, but its more benign tone toward the board itself is drawing criticism from outside observers.       Legal Experts Worry Government Investigations of Enron Will Collide   By Naftali Bendavid, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 5 Former Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth Lay's decision to cancel an appearance before Congress this week, after lawmakers publicly speculated about his criminal guilt, highlights a growing concern of legal analysts: The investigations of Enron by Congress and the Justice Department are beginning to collide.       FACTBOX-Congress hearings schedule on Enron/Andersen   WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) The following are the hearings that the U.S. Congress has firmly scheduled on the collapse of Enron Corp., the role of its auditor Andersen, and related regulatory issues over the coming weeks. Latest information added is marked with *.       Enron board to put accounting execs on leave-WSJ   NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Enron Corp.'s board is expected to put the company's two top accounting officers on administrative leave this week in response to an internal report that says neither did his job adequately, The Wall Street Journal's online edition reported on Tuesday.       Enron Probe Author Connected to Co.   By KRISTEN HAYS Associated Press Writer, HOUSTON, Feb 05, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Appointed to Enron's board in October to investigate the company's accounting practices, William C. Powers Jr. knew he would be accused of having a conflict of interest.       Bush rejects idea of special counsel for Enron   PITTSBURGH, Feb 05, 2002 (AFX-Asia via COMTEX) --  President George W. Bush has rejected the idea of naming a special counsel to investigate links between his administration and bankrupt energy firm Enron.       Enron winds up mainland operations   Feb 05 - South China Morning Post Enron is winding up its China operations, with foreign and domestic firms competing for its controlling share of a major power station in the southwest city of Chengdu.       Experts Say Enron Debacle to Bring Major Changes to Accounting Industry   By Wayne Heilman, The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 4 The collapse of Enron Corp. will result in major changes in the accounting industry and the relationship between accounting firms, their consultancies and their clients.       Treasury's O'Neill-need more CEO accountability   WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, speaking as the Enron scandal unfolds, said on Tuesday the Bush administration would push for more accountability from corporate chieftains in a planned revamp of business disclosure requirements.       Lawyers suing Enron criticize shortcomings of internal probe   BRAD FOSS, HOUSTON, Feb 04, 2002 (The Canadian Press via COMTEX) --  While an internal investigation at Enron Corp. has supplied a roadmap for some complex tactics used to hide debt and inflate profits, it leaves uncharted a maze of other activities and lines of responsibility.       Tauzin calls Enron report 'devastating'   WASHINGTON, Feb 05, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The chairman of the House Energy Cmmittee said Tuesday that an internal Enron report "painted a devastating picture" of the company's management.       Ministers deny Enron links were improper   Feb 04 - Evening Standard - London SENIOR ministers and other leading public figures have rushed to distance themselves from US energy giant Enron in the continuing fallout from the company's pounds 55 billion collapse.       George Washington U. alum figures prominently in Enron investigation   By Patrick Higgins, WASHINGTON, Feb 04, 2002 (The GW Hatchet, U-WIRE via COMTEX) --  Although several major news organizations have included a teaching stint at George Washington University in former Enron Corp. CEO Kenneth Lay's background, no record of him as a professor exists at the University.       Astros Want to Drop Enron Field Name   HOUSTON, Feb 05, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) --  The Houston Astros want to shed the name of Enron Field.      Competition & Deregulation     Oregon Nears Tame Debut of Electricity Deregulation   By Gail Kinsey Hill, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore., Feb. 3 Oregon's cautious yet historic entry into electricity deregulation will debut with a whimper on March 1.       Some Problems With Full Texas Retail Electric Competition   Feb. 5 (Texas Electric Market Reporter) The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported that over 100,000 switches had been processed by late January. Special Offer from this Publisher!     [IMAGE] ADVERTISEMENT    6th Annual Distributed Generation & On-site Power Conference - March  11-13, 2002, in Atlanta, GA. This year's program is again the leader in  addressing the issues of viable systems for improving power quality &  reducing energy costs. For more information, visit our web site at:  http://www.dist-gen.com  or call 508-823-5797.        Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures     EU clears Swedish power company's takeover of Berlin utility   BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb 05, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) --  The European Union Commission gave antitrust clearance to Vattenfall AB's acquisition of full control over Berlin utility Bewag AG Tuesday.       Raleigh, N.C.-Based Utility Plans to Sell Money-Losing Software Subsidiary   By Dudley Price, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Feb. 5 Progress Energy is selling a software subsidiary to an Oklahoma company as part of a larger effort to shed money-losing divisions.       Divestiture Dynamics: Wholesale Focus, Efforts to Strengthen Balance Sheets Represent Growing Trend   By Will McNamara, IssueAlert, Feb. 5 (Scientech) Victorian electricity retailer and network company CitiPower is set to be sold by trade sale or initial public offering later this year following American Electric Power's decision to divest the asset. Special Offer from this Publisher!        Centennial Power Acquires Rocky Mountain Power   BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA - February 5, 2002 (News Release) Dick Vinson and Centennial Power, Inc., a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., announced today the acquisition by Centennial Power of Rocky Mountain Power, Inc., a Montana energy development company co-owned by Vinson.      California Crisis     First Steps to a Stable Electric Market   Jan. 25 (California Energy Markets) More than anything else, California needs to decide exactly what kind of electric power marketplace it wants to have going into the future. Special Offer from this Publisher!        Most Praise Power Authority's Investment Plan   Feb. 5 (California Energy Markets) Although the California Power Authority's plan to invest $5 billion in wind, solar and conservation is probably setting the state up for a punch line from a Midwestern pundit more comfortable with coal-fired electricity, feedback on its draft investment plan during its two-week, five-city road show was generally positive. Special Offer from this Publisher!       Rates     Unitil cuts N.H. electric rates to lowest in region   NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) As the cost to generate electricity in New England falls, Unitil Corp. will decrease rates to the lowest levels in the region, the utility holding company said Tuesday.       Low Market Prices Prompt BPA to Retain Load-based Cost Recovery Adjustment   Feb. 5 (Clearing Up) BPA told customers last week that in addition to ongoing augmentation costs, there is "a high probability" that lower reserve levels will trigger higher BPA rates during fiscal 2003.  Special Offer from this Publisher!       General     Lake County, Minn., Power Firm Seeks Member Input   By Lee Bloomquist, Duluth News-Tribune, Minn., Feb. 5 Separate boards of directors will govern three subsidiaries of Lake Country Power under a reorganization plan aimed at getting members of the rural electric cooperative involved in decision making.       Utility Acquisition Could Mean New Name for Reading, Pa., Stadium   Reading Eagle, Pa., Feb. 5 The home of the Reading Phillies has been known as GPU Stadium since the firm bought the naming rights in January 2000.      Trading/Marketing     AIG, Chubb pay up to $300 mln on Enron gas deal   By Chris Sanders, NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) Insurers American International Group Inc. and Chubb Corp. have agreed to pay up to $300 million to investors in a gas-buying consortium, power industry sources said, after a unit of bankrupt Enron Corp. failed to keep its side of a delivery contract.       Exchange rivals NYMEX, ICE in alliance talks   By Andrew Mitchell, NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) Commodity exchange rivals New York Mercantile Exchange and web-based Intercontinental Exchange have reopened talks aimed at an alliance, a source close to the negotiations said on Tuesday.      New Technologies/Markets     CEO of Latham, N.Y.-Based Plug Power Battles Lingering Investor Doubts   Times Union, Albany, N.Y., Feb. 4 It doesn't take much prodding to get Roger Saillant to grab a marker and attack a whiteboard.      Power Pricing/Supply     Cinergy Shorts Support PJM, Warming Trims NE Power Prices   Feb. 5 (Btu's Daily Power Report) Although some short covering activity in Cinergy supported prices at nearby hubs, next day values for power traded in most markets in the Eastern U.S. were pressured by mild weather expected to send loads tumbling through the balance of the week. Special Offer from this Publisher!        Ken?s Not Coming   Feb. 4 (Energy Market Report) Peak power prices for Tuesday delivery were slightly lower across the Western U.S. on Monday, unquestionably the result of less weather-related demand. Special Offer from this Publisher!       Transmission & Reliability     Power-Line Plan Takes Blow after Douglas County, Wis., Denies Utility Access   Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 5 Plans for a massive power line across central and northwestern Wisconsin hit a setback after two committees of the Douglas County Board denied a utility access to county property along the path of the project.      Power Projects     Fort Mill, S.C., Residents to Hold Meeting about Electric Generator   By Sula Pettibon, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C., Feb. 2 Residents of White Grove subdivision will learn strategies today for fighting a gas-fired electric generator planned near their neighborhood.       Alliant says gets letters of intent on Iowa plant   SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 5 (Reuters) Alliant Energy Corp. has received 17 letters of intent from companies interested in Alliant's plans for a new 500-megawatt power plant in Iowa, a company spokesman said Tuesday.       Sithe sees adding 2,400 MW in Mass. by mid-2002   NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) To help serve the growing need for power in Massachusetts, Sithe Energies Inc. said on Tuesday it expects to have 2,400 megawatts (MW) of new generation up and running on the local electricity grid by mid-year.       Upper Peninsula: Tribe announces power plant plans   Feb 05 - Fedgazette The Hannahville Indian Community plans to build a 1,100-acre industrial park on tribal lands southwest of Escanaba, which could have a major economic impact on the region.       Non-Regulated Power Plant Construction Delayed   MADISON, Wis., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ Alliant Energy and Panda Energy International have agreed to delay construction for a 1,100 MW combined-cycle natural gas power plant in western Michigan.       House Bill Would Tap Southern N.M. Gas Reserve   Feb 05, 2002 - Albuquerque Journal The development of a state-owned power plant -- fired by natural gas from a large, untapped reserve in Otero County -- is being promoted by Rep. Terry Marquardt.      Renewables     Heavy Precipitation Ends Oregon Drought, Cheers Ski Areas and Utilities   By Scott Maben, The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore., Feb. 4 What drought?       WAYMART WIND FARM RECEIVES FINAL PERMIT   Feb. 1 (Wind Energy Weekly) On January 26, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued the water quality permit allowing the construction of the Waymart Wind Farm in Canaan and Clinton townships, Wayne County. Special Offer from this Publisher!        OKLAHOMA UTILITY PROPOSES GREEN POWER OPTION   Feb. 1 (Wind Energy Weekly) On January 28, Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) filed a proposal with the state Corporation Commission to offer customers a green power option.  Special Offer from this Publisher!        Washington To Host Largest Publicly-owned U.S. Wind Plant   Feb 05, 2002 -  The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network announced that construction for the Nine Canyon Wind Project, the largest U.S. wind project owned by public utilities, is now underway in south-central Washington state.      Plants     El Paso completes expansion of N.J. power plant   NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) To help serve the growing need for power in New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region, Texas energy company El Paso Corp. completed the expansion of its Linden power plant, the company said late Monday.       Utah Power Plans to Begin Power Plant Expansion   Feb 04 - The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Power expects next week to begin building an $80 million permanent addition to its Gadsby Power Plant near downtown Salt Lake City that will increase the facility's generating capacity by 120 megawatts.      Labor/Human Resources     FirstEnergy Corp. Cuts 340 Jobs in Berks County, Pa. After Acquisition   By Don Spatz, Reading Eagle, Pa., Feb. 5 FirstEnergy Corp. said Tuesday that it is eliminating 340 Berks County jobs -- or 22 percent of its local work force -- in a cost-cutting move following its $4.5 billion purchase of GPU Inc. in November.      Environmental     Madison, Wis., Lawmakers Want to Crack Down on Aging, Dirty Power Plants   The Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 5 Two Madison lawmakers want more than a dozen aging power plants -- including one that's just blocks from the State Capitol and another near Portage -- to abide by stricter pollution control standards.       New Jersey's Pollution Credit Trading Arouses U.S. Suspicion   By Alex Nussbaum, The Record, Hackensack, N.J., Feb. 4 A New Jersey program that allows industries to buy and sell the right to pollute has come under the scrutiny of federal regulators, who want to know whether the setup lets companies lie about how much they clean up the air.       Bush admin aims for modest goals for greenhouse gas   By Julie Vorman, WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) The United States, which last year rejected a global climate treaty, said on Tuesday it wants to set a "reasonable, gradual" goal to slow its emissions of greenhouse gases and link them to economic output.      Nuclear     NRC contracts for up to 6 million doses of drug to block radioactive iodine   By AMY WESTFELDT Associated Press Writer, NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb 05, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has signed a dlrs 1 million contract to buy up to 6 million doses of a drug that could help prevent thyroid cancer in the event of a terrorist attack on a nuclear power plant.       Illinois Governor Urged to Give Anti-radiation to Families Near Nuclear Plants   By Julie Deardorff, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 5 Though Illinois has rejected free potassium iodide pills from the federal government, lawmakers Monday called on Gov. George Ryan to provide the controversial anti-radiation tablets to families living near nuclear power plants.       Florida 839-MW St Lucie 2 nuke shut, seen back Wed   NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) Florida Power & Light (FPL) shut its 839 megawatt St. Lucie 2 nuclear power plant for unscheduled maintenance that it hopes to complete by Wednesday, sources familiar with the plant's operation said Tuesday.      Financial     Allegheny files shelf for $1.5 bln in debt, equity   WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) Allegheny Energy Inc. on Tuesday filed with U.S. regulators to occasionally sell up to $1.5 billion in common stock, preferred securities, debt securities, warrants, contracts, units and trusts.      Financial - Ratings     Moody's to review ratings process   By Rebecca Hewett, Feb 4, 2002 (Investor Weekly - ABIX via COMTEX) -- The demise of Enron has led financial ratings agency, Moody's, to institute a review of its procedures.      Financial - Results     Ameren earnings rise up over 19 percent   ST. LOUIS, Mo., Feb 5 (Reuters) Midwestern energy merchant Ameren Corp. said on Tuesday fourth-quarter earnings, before unusual items, rose more than 19 percent as increased electricity sales offset weaker prices.       UniSource Energy cuts 2002 earnings guidance   TUCSON, Ariz., Feb 5 (Reuters) - UniSource Energy Corp., parent of utility Tucson Electric Power Co., said on Tuesday it has cut its 2002 earnings guidance to $1.35 a share from $1.45, citing a drop in wholesale power prices.       Reliant Postpones Earnings Release   Feb 05, 2002 - United Press International Electricity generator and marketer Reliant Resources Inc. said Tuesday it was postponing the scheduled release of its fourth quarter earnings report and will restate earnings for the second and third quarters of 2001 to show an additional $100 million to $130 million in profits.      International     Austria pulls plug on power deal over nuclear qualms   Feb 05, 2002 - Agence France-Presse A planned joint venture to create Europe's second largest hydro-electric power giant has collapsed due to Austrian qualms over the nuclear power links of its German partner, officials said Tuesday.       CLP plans to bid for power plants in Singapore - Oberg   HONG KONG, Feb 04, 2002 (AFX-Asia via COMTEX) --  CLP Holdings Ltd is looking into the possibility of bidding for power plants in Singapore through its joint venture with United Engineers Ltd, Sing Tao Daily reported, citing managing director Kenneth W. Oberg.       PRI Plans For Conservative Energy Policy   MEXICO CITY, Feb 4, 2002 (Reforma/Corporate Mexico by Internet Securities, Inc. via COMTEX) --  The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) will not push for drastic changes to the energy sector, but will look for ways for companies in the industry to become more efficient, and for ways to allow them to increase their investments, said PRI Senator Manuel Bartlett Diaz.       Citipower sale plan may spark shake-up   By Philip Hopkins, Feb 5, 2002 (The Age - ABIX via COMTEX) --  On 4 February 2002, CitiPower's US owner indicated the possible sale of the Victorian electricity and distribution retailer.       Tenaga/EGAT agrees in principle on cross-border power purchase deal   KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 05, 2002 (AFX-Asia via COMTEX) --  Tenaga Nasional Bhd said it has agreed in principle with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to buy and sell electrical energy via the 300 MW high voltage direct current interconnection across the Malay-Thai border.       Siemens Energy Group makes strides in the Gulf   By Mena Report Reporters, February 5, 2002 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) -- German giant Siemens Energy group has made significant inroads into the power generation, transmission and distribution sector of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and is today one of the leading players in the regional power industry.       Electric power companies to postpone construction of new facilities   Brazil, Feb 4, 2002 (Gazeta Mercantil/SABI via COMTEX) --  The investors are not being able to make long term contracts for the sale of the energy to be produced by future facilities.       Tractebel suspected of financial irregularities   Feb 5, 2002, (Le Monde /FT Information via COMTEX) --  Tractebel, the energy subsidiary of French utilities group Suez, which is active in Belgium and elsewhere, has not only been instructed by the Belgian tax authorities to make the largest back payment of tax in the country's history, but is also being investigated by the courts on suspicion of irregular accounting and using a secret fund, apparently fuelled by offshore companies, to make substantial under-the-table payments to managers.       Government names chief power adviser   Feb 05 - South China Morning Post The Government has appointed an electricity adviser who will spearhead the liberalisation of the power sector.   [IMAGE]     Powered by Energy Central   ? 2002 CyberTech, Inc. All rights reserved.  More News           [IMAGE]     [IMAGE] Top    [IMAGE]  RESTRUCTURING TODAY      [IMAGE]      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   [IMAGE] [IMAGE] February 05, 2002     Justice to White House: Hang onto Enron documents  Enron's board  brutally frank  in blaming self      Harvey Goldschmid advocated making securities law      Enron scraps  get really big      New Pa regulator confirmed      Enron ties lead to Lord John's quitting      What about the  Kenneth Lay prof?      Southern Union gets ready for Tex gas market      Ore industrials see high prices if PGE is sold to gas firm      Is it OK to make money on power sold to tenants?      Restructuring Today (ISSN 1522-7324) is published 247 times a year on business days by US Publishing Co at 4418 MacArthur Boulevard, Washington DC        Powered By US Publishing   ? 2002 US Publishing. All Rights Reserved.  More Info       [IMAGE]     [IMAGE] Top    [IMAGE]  RER'S EMETRIX LOAD FORECAST: CAL ISO     [IMAGE]      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   [IMAGE]  Actual and forecasted hourly load for CAL ISO.  [IMAGE]  CAL ISO Chart    Powered By RER   ? 2002 RER. All Rights Reserved.      [IMAGE]     [IMAGE] Top    [IMAGE]  ABOUT ENERGY CENTRAL PROFESSIONAL     [IMAGE]      [IMAGE] [IMAGE]   This e-mail service is part of an Energy Central Professional subscription.   * Click here  to change your preferences.    * Visit Member Services  to START, STOP, or CHANGE FORMAT for all of your e-mail subscriptions.    * To STOP receiving this service click here  or send a message to service@energycentral.com  or call Member Services at 303-782-5510.    Press Releases Submit press releases and other news to pr@energycentral.com .    Sponsorship And Advertising For sponsorship or advertising info call sales at 303-782-5510.       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