deb mcdonald reveals little bit ngpl strategy interview ngpl recontracts nipsco natural gas pipeline company america ngpl continues move recontracting process like hot knife butter since kinder morgan took ngpl parent kn energy last year interstate pipeline subsidiary signed multiple agreements contract extensions gas transportation storage major shippers midwest including another deal announced yesterday northern indiana public service nipsco ngpl nipsco signed contract extending terms several firm transportation agreements totaling 295 100 mmbtu capacity beginning dec 1 2000 dec 1 2001 continuing nov 30 2002 also extended terms two storage agreements totaling 10 5 bcf capacity beginning dec 1 2000 april 1 2001 continuing march 31 2003 nipsco nisource subsidiary regulated utility provides natural gas nearly 700 000 customers electricity 416 000 customers across northern third indiana virtually operationally available capacity sold fourth quarter year said ngpl president deborah mcdonald interview basically third transportation contracts third storage contracts renewal every year successful efforts resigning three major customers nigas nipsco peoples despite increasing competitive pressure northern border alliance pipeline pipeline also surprising luck signing agreements marketers power generators contrast traditional market long haul transportation midcontinent louisiana chicago extending horizons trying find new market marketers rather core ldcs obviously contract signed earlier year aquila energy 500 000 mmbtu transportation capacity also really helped us successful recontracting efforts mcdonald said also developed number new rate services gas fired power generators growth ngpl come natural gas fired generation probably saw press release ameren contracts construction 1 700 mw generation along ngpl system aggregate think target connect 3 000 mw gas fired generation year 3 000 mw next year well would represent 900 mmcf gas transportation capacity obviously another challenge going 1 325 bcf alliance pipeline coming market fall anyone guess whether really fill short period time think lot coming chicago moving back vector ready hub america kind serve giant header system texas eastern eastbound partner mcdonald prepared however announce results recent open season 100 mmcf capacity available new interconnection ngpl tetco eastbound transportation