Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc)
Pass the microphone: CFTC’s Scott O’Malia to CME Group’s James Newsome
This month, Scott O’Malia, a commissioner of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, puts his questions to James Newsome, member of the board of directors of the CME Group and a former CFTC chairman
Experts examine US power clearing and netting needs
As the US Congress moves to boost derivatives clearing requirements, an industry panel has called for regulators to investigate a move towards clearing and netting across US power markets and to clarify the legal uncertainty in the area
FERC inquiry to tackle price distortions
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has launched an inquiry into spot market price caps in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)
US power market concern over FERC credit reforms
The US FERC’s recent move to standardise credit policies across the US power market has led some participants to question the application of a ‘one size fits all’ approach across the organised wholesale markets. Pauline McCallion reports
Deal could trigger downgrade for E.ON US and subsidiaries
German power and gas company E.ON's decision to sell its US subsidiary to PPL Corporation for $7.625 billion has resulted in a ratings review and possible downgrade for E.ON US.
CFTC and Ferc continue turf war over transmission rights
Wholesale electricity market participants yesterday called for an exemption for energy end-users from legislation that could see the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) increase its jurisdictional powers over the sector.
Ferc proposes credit reforms
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) has outlined credit reform proposals aimed at balancing the need for market liquidity with appropriate risk management while ensuring reasonable rates.
Power sector concerned about regulatory overlap
Power sector trade bodies yesterday criticised proposals for regulation of over-the-counter derivatives, saying it would duplicate current Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) oversight of the US power market.
Senate starts deliberations on cap-and-trade bill
Senate committee hearings began yesterday on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, co-authored by senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer.
Smart thinking
Updating ageing power transmission infrastructure with smart grid technology must be a top priority if the US is to meet growing demand while fully harnessing the potential of renewable energy. By Pauline McCallion
A dark futurefor clearing
Clearing was the energy buzz word of early 2003. But as Clearing Bank Hannover goes into liquidation and the future of EnergyClear’s business remains uncertain, it seems energy clearing has lost its appeal. By Paul Lyon
JP Morgan Chase plans electricity trading foray
JP Morgan Chase is planning to enter power trading, just as the US energy regulator overturns its onerous stock-holding limit rule. PaulLyon reports
Gas prices hit fertiliser industry
North American fertiliser producers are struggling for survival, thanks to the high cost of natural gas. Some have turned to hedging and pre-purchasing their gas, but such measures may not be sufficient. Paul Lyon reports
Eyeing the pricing
US energy regulators are keeping an ever-more-watchful eye on gas and power price reporting – but are they finally flexing their muscles appropriately? Paul Lyon reports
US gas squeeze hits power
Tight natural gas supplies in the US are adding to worries over reliability of electricity supplies, says Richard McMahon of the Edison Electric Institute
Barrier to entry
Bank of America and UBS are still trying to overcome obstacles that could prevent them entering physical power trading in the US. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations represent the biggest obstacle. Paul Lyon reports
Deregulation versus re-regulation
While the US authorities are still ironing kinks out of a major electricity market redesign and looking to repeal the utility industry’s most influential Act, US regulators and self regulators are moving to fill the vacuum. Catherine Lacoursière reports
Ferc’s California clean-up
Sixty energy firms and utilities will have to justify their activities during the California energy crisis, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) said in its regular bi-weekly meeting on June 25.
Ferc executes already dead Enron
Enron became the first company to face the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (Ferc) “death penalty” in June when the US energy regulator revoked the bankrupt firm’s authority to sell electricity at market-based rates.
Seeking an end to manipulation
Renewed allegations of manipulation of natural gas pipeline capacity in the US have been partly blamed on regulatory complacency. How can regulators put an end to the problems dogging the gas markets? Catherine Lacoursière reports
The LMP supermodel
With Ferc’s standard market design (SMD) seeking a shift from zonal power pricing to nodal pricing, the concept of locational marginal pricing (LMP) has become a key policy issue. Henwood Energy’s Vikram Janardhan proposes 10 key modelling features to…