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Physical prices Monday were up a nickel on average as West Coast traders reported power shortfalls resulting from a delayed restart of nuclear generating capacity, and warm temperatures in Texas added to loads. Government figures reported a modest decline in natural gas production and futures romped higher. At the close of trading June had increased 9.9 cents to $2.285 on stout volume, and July gained 9.5 cents to $2.394. June crude oil eased 6 cents to $104.87/bbl.

Black Hills Corp. and Great Plains Energy Inc. closed their asset purchase and merger of Aquila Inc. Monday, the companies said. The closing is effective Monday for legal, accounting and operational purposes.

California's energy future is balanced precariously between runaway costs and the threat of severe shortages, particularly in a "hotter-than-average" summer, according to the California Energy Commission's (CEC) draft 2005 "Integrated Energy Policy Report," released last Friday. Touching on everything from global climate change to the cost of gasoline and growing reliance on natural gas, the 157-page report delivers a sobering message for Californians.

A bipartisan group of senators last week called on the Bush administration to release the final $100 million in emergency funding for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that helps needy families pay their utility bills. They also recommended that the annual LIHEAP budget be expanded.

With Hurricane Emily's path looking less threatening to a majority of Gulf of Mexico production, August natural gas futures on Monday probed the downside, trading as low as $7.560 before settling at $7.652, down 19.7 cents from Friday.