The Federal Trade Commission has given its blessing to Kinder Morgan Inc.’s (NYSE: KMI) acquisition of El Paso Corp. (NYSE: EP) and ended a federal waiting period, paving the way for the deal to close later this month. The approval is subject to a p…  More »

Electricity from the state’s first utility-scale geothermal project could be part of the Public Service Co. of New Mexico’s energy mix starting in 2014. The utility submitted its new renewable energy procurement plan for 2013 and 2014 on Monday af…  More »

The Conservation Law Foundation Monday filed a series of lawsuits accusing businesses of violating federal water pollution laws. The civil suits rely on a provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act that lets private citizens sue alleged poll…  More »

The City of Charlotte, N.C., will expand police powers for Bank of America’s annual meeting May 9, which Occupy protesters say they’re targeting to voice their concern over foreclosures and other issues. The Charlotte City Council in January passe…  More »

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) saw first quarter profits increase on record sales volumes. The Woodlands-based Anadarko on Monday reported a net profit of $2.16 billion, or $4.28 per share, on revenue of $3.447 billion for the three months ended March 31, compared with a profit of $216 million, or 43 cents per share, on revenue of $3.25 billion a year earlier. That profit included $1.68 billion, or $3.36 per share, worth of items typically excluded from estimates. Excluding those …  More »

Delta Air Lines Inc. subsidiary Monroe Energy LLC will buy an oil refinery in Pennsylvania from Phillips 66 for $150 million in an attempt to save money on rising fuel costs. Atlanta-based Delta will spend another $100 million to convert the existing …  More »

Al Armendariz’s resignation from his position as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s South Central Region was welcomed by some Texas regulators and the energy industry — and bemoaned by environmentalists. Armendariz submi…  More »

The deadline to enter the 2012 Cleantech Open’s Rocky Mountain region competition is May 8, organizers said. The competition provides early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses with access to mentorship and training services from experts, as wel…  More »

UniSource Energy Corp. saw its income drop by 52 percent in the first quarter along with lower revenue from its electricity sales — the result of still-low rates and lower energy use from customers. Tucson-based UniSource, the parent company of Tucson Electric Power, reported a profit of $6.5 million for the quarter that ended March 31, or 17 cents per share, on revenue of nearly $319 million. That compared with income of $13.5 million on revenue of $345 million for …  More »

Georgia motorists got some relief at the gas pumps in the past week as global demand fell and more gas price decreases could be on the way. AAA Auto Club South said the price per gallon averages $3.68 in Georgia, compared with $3.76 a week ago, $3.84 a month ago and $3.77 a year ago. Nationally, gas prices are down 5 cents to $2.81 a gallon. And for the first time since the start of the year, American motorists are …  More »

Jacksonville motorists are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices fell 8 cents in the past week, and 15 cents during the past three weeks, to levels below that of a year ago — when gas prices were $3.82. The average cost of a gallon of regular gas is $3.75 in Jacksonville, down from $3.83 ; $3.80 in Florida, down from $3.88; and $3.81 nationally, down from $3.86. Last week, gas prices fell 5 cents. “Since the start …  More »

Most business groups support comprehensive tax reform, which would reduce overall tax rates by ending a wide range of highly specific tax breaks. Tax reform isn’t going to happen anytime soon, however. That’s why business groups are pushing Congre…  More »