text_combined: tw notes kern river open season kern river holding open season aug 18 determine interest year round ft nevada california interest capacity relinquishment existing firm shippers pipeline said offer significantly reduced ft rates based recent ferc approval kern river extended term rate program et program et program customers could receive rate reduction 0 64 dth approximately 0 42 15 year contract system expansion accomplished addition compression facilities could result overall lowering rolled rates shippers kern river said depending open season results pipeline proposing mainline expansion 500 mmcf service target date may 1 2002 goals met using relinquished capacity new facilities required new service could begin early oct 1 2001 call laurie brown 801 584 6410 greg snow 7270 information panda links transmission grid gila bend plant panda energy international inked firm electrical transmission agreement arizona public service supply power proposed natural gas fired 2 000 mw plant located town gila bend proposed plant arizona corporation committee review senior vice president merchant plant development panda garry hubbard said firm contract critical step forward plant new plant schedule commence construction later year start 18 months later added powering plant eight general electric 7 fa natural gas turbines operating combined cycle