The Maryland Public Service Commission has directed several of the state's local natural gas distribution companies to purchase a significant share of their summer injection needs immediately to take advantage of low natural gas prices and protect against future price volatility. A copy of the order to Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc., and others, for example, can be found here.
[Update: The Maryland PSC has rescinded its earlier orders following an emergency hearing at which LDCs explained that due to a run up in natural gas prices they would not be able to meet the prices set by the PSC. Still, the PSC found that its prior reasoning for directing summer gas injection purchases remained valid, and issued redacted orders appearing to direct the LDCs to procure unstated volumes at unstated prices. (Moved up.)]