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The Case Against Gas Dependence

Greater reliance on gas-fired power implies serious economic, technological, and national security risks.

Over the past two decades, the United States has, by default, come to rely on an "In Gas We Trust" energy policy. Is such a dramatic increase in the use of natural gas to generate electricity feasible without straining gas supply and infrastructure?
Byline: 

Roger H. Bezdek and Robert M. Wendling

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LNG Rising

Despite development challenges, LNG capacity is destined to play a bigger role in the U.S. energy mix.

Liquefied natural gas tankers and terminals are being developed and built at a dizzying pace to head off natural gas shortages in the U.S. market. How big a role will it play in years to come?
Byline: 

Michael T. Burr

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Merchant Costs: Reckless Abandonment?

Some independent power producers failed to contain capital and O&M costs, adding to financial pressures.

By following some basic principles, electricity generators can conserve cash, manage risk, and thereby increase value.
Byline: 

Holt Bradshaw

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In His Own Words

A face-to-face interview with FERC Chairman Pat Wood III.

In an exclusive interview, Executive Editor Richard Stavros, talks to FERC Chairman Pat Wood III about what the commission has in store for the electric utilities industry in 2004 and beyond.
Byline: 

Richard Stavros

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Benchmarks: Are Electricity Capacity Margins Really Growing?

New England's experience may redefine the term.

The U.S. capacity margin growth of 2002 should have eased upward pressures on electricity prices. However, electricity prices surged in many areas, such as New England, where surplus electricity capacity has developed. This suggests that the standard definition of capacity margin may not be appropriate in the context of current market realities.
Byline: 

Tom Wood, Ph.D.

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Letter to the Editor

Letters for April 2004.

Cato's Peter Van Doren and Jerry Taylor analyzed the electricity crisis in "Rethinking Restructuring" (February 2004) and concluded that the solution to a bad situation is vertical integration and mandatory real-time pricing. In my opinion they have got it half right.
Byline: 

Jim Johnston

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People

People for April 2004.

Positions filled at the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Duke Energy, Entergy, and others.
Byline: 

PUF

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Frontlines: Sticker Shock

Electricity rates may be heading skyward sooner than we think.

Even in regulated states, balancing shareholder interest against ratepayer interest is still more art than science. A fact that utilities will always dread, as long as there are rate cases.
Byline: 

Richard Stavros

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Technology Corridor: Bridging the Transmission Gap

A digital grid to the home, secured via a local fiber-optic network, could position utilities to fix power and telecom together.

Before billions are spent building new transmission lines to ensure reliable electric service, North American electric utilities should evaluate whether the alternatives — controlling demand and fostering distributed generation — might be more cost-effective and broadly beneficial.
Byline: 

Steven R. Rivkin

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