Briefly

Columbia Withdraws Request to Extend Maryland Hedging Program
Columbia Gas of Maryland has withdrawn its request to extend its modified price portfolio program, which will result in the hedging plan expiring on the currently established sunset date of August 31, 2011. Staff and the People's Counsel had raised concern with hedging costs, given the expansion of shale gas supplies and attendant impact on spot pricing. Columbia maintained that the hedging program is meant to avoid volatility in retail rates, rather than produce the lowest price, but agreed that under current conditions, spot purchases are more favorable than the protection afforded by hedges, and thus withdrew its request.

Gateway Suit Against Champion Energy Dismissed
A suit concerning marketing practices brought by Gateway Energy Services Corporation against Champion Energy filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has been dismissed (Case 1:10-cv-01959-WWC, see 9/22/10 issue).