text_combined: update lodi wheeler ridge storage projects western undeterred grueling regulatory process expressing frustration continuing resolve texas based western hub properties ironing technical issues financing california regulators expects start construction february delayed lodi gas storage field northern california merchant storage project operating time next year said western hub california based manager jim fossum added faster approvals project could service summer electricity generating crunch current gas power shortages despite regulatory struggle said company still plans go california storage project near bakersfield natural gas hub called wheeler ridge western acquired leases property needs start detailed engineering proposed site first three six months next year company intends make filing state regulators summer 2001 approved lodi project see daily gpi may 19 proposed wheeler ridge storage field western concerned lining customers said fossum projects contingent contracts said bona fide certified plant utility california public utilities commission getting technical things worked commission staff nailing last small pieces property fossum said everything basically ready go lodi file documents verify certain aspects project financing move ahead financing cpuc approves encountered roadblocks could helped problems last summer could helping problems right added project would operational time impact upcoming summer electricity demand corresponding heavy natural gas demand fuel power plants lodi wheeler ridge storage project designed high deliverability storage facilities lodi 9 bcf working capacity building 12 bcf initially fossum said lodi 400 mmcf injection capability 500 mmcf withdrawal southern half state western time reservoir studies near wheeler ridge couple reservoirs think might work fossum said preliminary planning phase wheeler ridge project would ultimate working capacity 12 16 bcf similar 500 mmcf deliverability peak said western hopes something operational wheeler ridge area end 2002