Regulation
UNFCCC official: Exec Board to announce CDM changes
In a move designed to better streamline the development of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, the CDM Executive Board (EB) is set to announce some changes to the CDM technical framework, a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change …
CFTC to examine metals trading
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced details of a public meeting on March 25 to examine the trading of futures and options in the precious and base metals markets.
Romania bans OTC emissions trading to combat fraud
Romanian authorities have banned European Union carbon emissions allowances (EUA) in the over-the-counter derivatives market to prevent EUA tax fraud, after ruling that these contracts are now classed as equity securities and therefore can only be bought…
EPA lays out GHG regulation timetable
The regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to begin in 2011 with a higher-than-expected threshold, according to the latest details from the agency.
Market fears two-tier EU ETS post-2012
Following a lack of collective will to determine a binding agreement at the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen (Cop15), analysts say the West may take steps to either ban or restrict most Chinese certified emissions reduction (CER) credits in the…
Icap Energy head: Oil broking screen a response to "regulatory times"
Interdealer brokerage Icap Energy will launch a combined voice-electronic broking service for over-the-counter (OTC) crude, fuel oil and middle distillate swaps, subject to regulatory approval. The service, entitled Icap TrueQuote, will offer straight…
Obama admits Senate may need to drop carbon trading
US President Barack Obama has acknowledged the potential need to strip cap and trade out of US energy legislation currently being re-drafted in the US Senate in order to pass the bill.
CFTC: Ice compliance staff under “strain”
The IntercontinentalExchange (Ice) Futures US compliance team has been under “strain” and should hire additional staff, according to a recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) review.
More legislation threatens EPA regulation of GHGs
The chairman of the US House Agriculture Committee has introduced bipartisan legislation designed to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Best practices in compliance
With regulators’ power set to increase and individual executives increasingly likely to be prosecuted when there is a compliance breach, it is crucial that the compliance function is properly structured. In part two of their series, Michael Berry and…
Dry freight and regulation: Tides of change
The dry freight FFA market has undergone significant changes in the past two years, with a marked increase in clearing and financial players. Participants are now looking at how potentially tighter OTC regulation may impact trading. By Pauline McCallion
US budget drops fossil fuel subsidies
US President Barack Obama has used his 2011 budget to call for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, apportioning funds to the clean energy sector instead.
Building support: CFTC’s reforms in the cold?
Despite being lighter than expected, the CFTC’s proposed reforms for energy trading have found little support from other commissioners or overseas regulators, finds Pauline McCallion
US regulations may have hurt RBS Sempra deal
JP Morgan has reportedly amended plans to purchase RBS Sempra Commodities, excluding the North American portion of the business.
Markey: Climate bill by end of 2010
President Barack Obama will have a new clean energy bill to sign by the end of the year, according to US congressman Edward Markey.
Obama calls for comprehensive energy bill
In last night’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said he was eager to advance a bipartisan energy and climate change bill in the US Senate.
Ice receives CFTC clearing registration
IntercontinentalExchange (Ice) has been granted limited registration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a US derivatives clearing organisation (DCO).
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.
Carbon regulation block unlikely to get past President
A congressional move to prevent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of carbon emissions is unlikely to get past President Barack Obama, but the bipartisan protest indicates legislators want extra time to formulate their own climate change…
Indian power market faces increased regulation
India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued Power Market Regulations for 2010 this week as part of the Electricity Act passed in 2003.
CFTC to include Ice Henry Hub SPDC contracts in traders' reports
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will include positions in the IntercontinentalExchange (Ice) Henry Hub natural gas contract in its weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) reports.
Consultants’ outlook: 2010 Expert views
Energy Risk convened representatives from Ernst & Young, MRE Consulting, Sapient, The Structure Group and SunGard Consulting Services to discuss a number of topics on the outlook for 2010, including new regulation, future market developments, credit and…