Going once, going twice… (Nick de la Torre / Chronicle ) One un-heralded casualty of the recent Texas electric turmoil (until now) has been the shut-down of a small retailer in Spring called Reach Energy. The firm provided pre-paid service to some 2,000 customers but it appears it did so under another name. It defaulted [...]  More »

A few of the energy related items on Chron.com and elsewhere around the Web: • ‘The action’ is in Houston: Energy industry draws attorneys’ interest as hiring slows in many other areas of U.S. • No relief expected soon for oil prices: Rice energy analyst predicts ‘we could be at these levels for a while’ [...]  More »

For years consumer groups have been urging the Public Utility Commission to provide a report card on the state’s electric retailers, a tool to help customers make better decisions in there power plan shopping. The PUC (and many retailers) have been somewhat reluctant, noting that data such as the number of complaints received can be [...]  More »

Repeat after me…. When an electric retail company suddenly disappears from the state-run shopping site, Power To Choose, one might think it’s a sign of impending doom. Sometimes that’s true, but sometimes it’s not. Take Dallas-based OnPac Energy. One reader noted the small retailer is no longer listed on the site even though it was [...]  More »

On Sunday we wrote about how there may have been some early signs of trouble with the four electric retailers who went out of business in recent weeks. Among the troubles: problems with their applications for a retail license, a high number of complaints that were found to be violations of state law, and unrealistically [...]  More »

A few of the energy related items on Chron.com and elsewhere around the Web: • SEC accuses three of duping investors: Some funds bought failed electricity firm, National Power • Huntsman leader slams Hexion: Chairman says attempts to get out of deal a disgrace • Energy drives up incomes in Texas • US House lawmaker [...]  More »

Denali pipeline workers will call the tiny town of Tok home this summer. Denali, the joint venture between BP and ConocoPhillips to build a natural gas pipeline off Alaska’s North Slope, is pushing forward with its plans, despite Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s endorsement of a rival bid by TransCanada: Denali – The Alaska Gas Pipeline [...]  More »

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip). Houston-based Dynegy landed a $300 million line of credit recently, a pretty normal business transaction for any large company. But this one has a specific use. The power plant operator can tap up to $40 million of the funds for every dollar that natural gas prices rise above $13 per million [...]  More »

A few of the energy related items on Chron.com and elsewhere around the Web: • U.S. gas now a big bargain in Mexico: Subsidized low price attracts lots of Americans • Thunder Horse project producing after 3-year delay • McCain calls for end to offshore drilling ban: GOP candidate in Houston today to mend fences [...]  More »

The collapse of four Texas electric companies that has dumped more than 40,000 customers back onto the markets has prompted legal aid organizations to create a Legal Hotline to help low-income customers figure there way through the problems. The statewide hotline is1(800) 622-2520, said Texas Legal Services Center executive director Randall Chapman. The Legal Hotline [...]  More »

A few of the energy related items on Chron.com and elsewhere around the Web: • Gas price disparities: Ownership, location, standards and competition all influence why some stations charge more • Texas power regulators consider report cards, strict rules • Texas’ electric deregulation canine mascot name? Spike” • Power firms’ treatment angers Texans • Anadarko [...]  More »

The Texas Public Utility Commission is taking the first steps in looking at new consumer protection rules this morning… Two Three new docket numbers (essentially electronic file folders) were created in the PUC’s online document filing and retrieval system this morning. Docket No. 35767: “CONTROL NUMBER REQUEST FORM RE: RULEMAKING TO RELATING TO CERTIFICATION OF [...]  More »