tw notes kern river open season kern river is holding an open season through aug . 18 to determine interest in year - round ft to nevada and california and interest in capacity relinquishment by existing firm shippers . the pipeline said it can offer significantly reduced ft rates based on recent ferc approval of kern river ' s extended term rate program ( et program ) . under et program , customers could receive a rate reduction from $ 0 . 64 / dth to approximately $ 0 . 42 under a 15 - year contract . because system expansion can be accomplished by the addition of compression facilities , it could result in an overall lowering of rolled - in rates for all shippers , kern river said . depending on open season results , the pipeline is proposing a mainline expansion of up to 500 mmcf / d with an in - service target date of may 1 , 2002 . if goals can be met using relinquished capacity and no new facilities are required , new service could begin as early as oct . 1 , 2001 . call laurie brown at ( 801 ) 584 - 6410 or greg snow at - 7270 for more information . panda links to transmission grid for gila bend plant panda energy international inked a firm electrical transmission agreement with arizona public service to supply power from its proposed natural gas - fired 2 , 000 mw plant to be located in the town of gila bend . the proposed plant is before the arizona corporation committee for review . senior vice president of merchant plant development for panda , garry hubbard , said that the firm contract is " a critical step forward for the plant . " the new plant is on schedule to commence construction later this year , with start up 18 months later , he added . powering the plant will be eight general electric 7 fa natural gas turbines operating in combined cycle .