natural gas pipeline

Duke Energy bought a 7.5-percent ownership stake in the proposed and previously announced $3-billion Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline that will traverse Alabama, Georgia and Florida to meet the growing need for natural gas in those states. Duke Energy's commercial power business unit will invest approximately $225 million in the approximately 500-mile underground pipeline - from Tallapoosa County, Ala., to Osceola County, Fla. - during the next seven years. The pipeline, scheduled to begin service in 2017, requires federal and other regulatory approvals.

The California Public Utilities Commission authorized two affiliated energy utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), to increase their rates and charges over the four-year period 2012 to 2015. The approved increases are retroactive to 2012, with SDG&E authorized to raise its rates by $123.4 million compared to its 2012 revenue requirement, and with SoCalGas allowed to collect an additional $84.8 million in rates over 2012 levels.