Alabama

Duke Energy Buys 7.5% of Previously Announced Sabal Trail 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.

People (March 2015)

Exelon Generation named Michael J. Pacilio executive v.p. and COO; FirstEnergy made a series of leadership changes involving David J. Karafa, Steven E. Strah, Linda L. Moss, Richard S. Sweeney and Edward L. Shuttleworth; CenterPoint Energy appointed William D. Rogers, executive v.p. of finance and accounting; leadership changes at Black Hills Corporation, Consumers Energy and Duke Energy; California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) named Timothy Sullivan as interim executive director; and others; and others.

People (April 2014)

Southern Company names Kimberly S. Greene COO; Mark A. Crosswhite becomes CEO of Alabama Power; James Y. Kerr becomes Southern Company's general counsel; Calvin G. Butler Jr. becomes CEO at Baltimore Gas & Electric; Michael T. Burr steps down as Fortnightly's editor-in-chief; plus executive announcements at Ameren, Southern California Edison, OGE Energy, and others.

People (March 2014)

Dominion promotes seven to v.p.; DTE Energy Foundation names Faye Alexander Nelson president; Michael Picker becomes CPUC commissioner; plus executive appointments and announcements from PPL, Ameren, Duke, GridWise Alliance, and others.

Anomaly or New Normal?

Regulators weigh interest rate climate and future Fed policy in setting allowed return on equity.

(November 2013) Consumer advocates argue for lower allowed utility returns, to reflect lower financing costs. Our rate case survey shows mixed regulatory responses.

People (April 2013)

Southern Company makes changes in operations and power subsidiaries; Michael Chesser to leave KCPL board; Dynegy names new e.v.p.; Rolando Pablos resigns from Texas PUC; In Memoriam: Kris R. Nielsen.