Salem-News.com Energy articles Page 18

West Coast Gas Prices May Soar After BP Shutdown of Prudhoe Bay Oil Field And Pipeline

Over time, these actions will reduce Alaska North Slope oil production by an estimated 400,000 barrels per day.

(ANCHORAGE, Ak.) - BP Exploration Alaska, Inc. has begun an orderly and phased shutdown of the Prudhoe Bay oil field following the discovery of unexpectedly severe corrosion and a small spill from a Prudhoe Bay oil transit line. Shutting down the field will take days to complete.

The decision follows the receipt on Friday of data from a smart pig run completed in late July. Analysis of the data revealed 16 anomalies in 12 locations in an oil transit line on the eastern side of the oil field.

A pipeline inspection gauge or PIG, is a tool that is sent down a pipeline and propelled by the pressure of the product in the pipeline itself. It is the chief tool used in pigging.

Natural Gas Prices in Oregon to Increase This Fall and Winter

Natural gas prices have risen steadily for all three gas utilities serving Oregon since 2003.

(SALEM) - While temperatures heat up outside, the Oregon Public Utility Commission was warned today to expect higher natural gas prices this coming heating season.

Officials with NW Natural Gas, Avista Utilties, and Cascade Natural Gas told the Commission they will be filing requests soon to raise their rates as part of the annual Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA). The companies pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas, without any mark-up to customers, and make no additional profit from these rate adjustments. When prices go down, customers rates are also reduced.

Company officials predicted the following residential rate increases:

4 to 12% for NW Natural Gas...

Governor Says Oregon Must Control It`s Own Energy Destiny

New technologies, conservation and incentives are keys to smart policy.

(PORTLAND) - Addressing the Northwest Industrial Energy Users Conference Wednesday, Governor Ted Kulongoski declared his goal of making Oregon a national leader in producing and using renewable energy.

To achieve that goal, he has proposed a `renewable portfolio standard`—a term that describes the array of renewable energy resources the state uses to meet its needs.

The Governor has set a goal of meeting 25 percent of Oregon`s needs with renewable energy by 2025.

New Electric Car in Salem is a Real Buzz (VIDEO)

The Xebra electric car rides four adults and has a radio/CD player. With a price in the neighborhood of $9,000, people are snapping them up for local commuting.

(SALEM) - High gas prices means the inventory`s selling fast at Electric Wheels Incorporated in Salem. Owner Larry Dye says the new cars go 40 Miles an hour, `They`re really well received here in Oregon.`

Wyden Ties up Senate in Protest of Oil Subsidies

(WASHINGTON, D.C. AP) - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden tied up the Senate for more than four-and-a-half hours Thursday trying to force a vote on energy.

Wyden wants to make energy companies pay royalties on hundreds of leases of federal land.

Companies do not have to pay royalties now under a program put in place when energy prices were low.

Global Fears Drive Crude Oil, Gasoline Prices Upward

Energy speculators are driving prices up because of fears of military action against Iran, which could disrupt flow of oil, so far it has caused the average price in Salem to rise by 12-cents per gallon in one week, and 10-cents statewide.

(SALEM) - Concerns about the nuclear standoff with Iran and violence in Nigeria that could hurt oil production drove crude oil prices to more than $69 a barrel Tuesday, says AAA`s Elliot Eki. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Energy released its seasonal outlook, projecting that regular gasoline will average $2.62 per gallon, barring any unexpected supply disruptions. Yet, the national average price already is up to $2.69, up 33-cents in the past month and 41-cents higher than one year ago.

In the past week, Oregon's statewide average price rose by 10-cents to $2.61 for regular gasoline; in the Salem metropolitan area, as well as Eugene-Springfield, the average prices went up by 12 cents per gallon in the same time period.

PGE Prepares to Take Down Trojan Cooling Tower

(RAINIER AP) - Portland General Electric says it is nearly ready for the destruction of the 499-foot cooling tower at Trojan Nuclear Plant, scheduled for May 21st.

The hourglass-shaped structure is a Columbia River landmark north of Saint Helens and a reminder of Oregon's only nuclear power plant.