Regulation
Exchanges disagree over position limits plan
The CME Group has pre-empted long-awaited action from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to implement position limits for energy trading, publishing its own suggestions for a regime.
US commodity ETFs blow hot and cold
Increasing attention has turned to commodity exchange traded funds (ETF) in the US this month as part of the wider investigation by the CFTC into the need for tighter oversight of energy futures markets. Rachel Morison investigates
CFTC boosts transparency with new report
The expansion of the CFTC’s Commitments of Traders report has garnered industry support in its attempt to enhance market transparency. Pauline McCallion reports
China will beat US to cap-and-trade scheme says Bluenext
“China will have a cap-and-trade scheme before the US and we will hear some statement from China on this at Copenhagen,” Philippe Chauvancy, director of sales at Paris-based exchange Bluenext predicted during a panel discussion at the Carbon Show in…
Canada’s first renewables feed-in tariff launched
The government of Ontario has launched Canada’s first feed-in tariff (Fit) for renewable power under its Green Energy Act. The move is part of a series of incentives designed to create 500,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector over the next five years.
US House Ags Committee reviews Treasury derivatives plan
Members of the US House Agriculture Committee voiced concerns today that government proposals for regulating over-the-counter derivatives would negatively affect end users.
Government ends Royalty-in-Kind programme
US secretary of the interior Ken Salazar this week announced plans to reform management of US energy resources, including the termination of the Minerals Management Service’s (MMS) Royalty-in-Kind programme.
Duke Energy withdraws from Clean Coal coalition
US utility Duke Energy has withdrawn from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) because of constraints imposed by influential member companies who will not support passing climate change legislation in 2009 or 2010 the company said.
DB liquidates oil ETN
Deutsche Bank will close down one of its exchange-traded oil products amid an investigation by regulators into the need for tighter oversight of energy futures markets.
New member registrations reopened on Climex
Netherlands-based exchange Climex, which offers environmental and energy contracts, has reopened its membership registration for the carbon spot exchange after reviewing and amending its criteria.
CFTC implements COT report changes
As of Friday September 4, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will implement changes to its weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) reports first announced in July.
Over-regulation will drive business overseas says Baltic Exchange
The Baltic Exchange has warned that too much regulation will damage the freight derivatives market and drive business away from Europe following a consultation paper published by the European Commission (EC.)
CFTC releases MGEX enforcement review
High staff turnover and unprecedented market volatility and volume affected the Minneapolis Grain Exchange's (MGEX's) ability to perform all of its self-regulatory functions in recent years, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Senators delay climate change legislation
Draft climate change legislation scheduled for release next week has been delayed until later this month.
Switzerland adopts a 20% carbon reduction target
The Swiss government has announced it will cut GHG emissions to levels 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.
Nord Pool Spot plans to restructure Lithuanian electricity market
Norwegian derivatives exchange Nord Pool Spot and Lithuanian Transmission System Operator (TSO) Lietuvos Energija have announced plans to restructure the Lithuanian electricity market by January 1, 2010.
Report questions CFTC speculation investigation
Models used by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) last year to assess the effect of speculation on the price of oil might have been inadequate, according to a report released this week.
Traders debate position limits at CFTC hearings
The CFTC announced plans to investigate the need for firm position limits in the energy markets on July 7, 2009.
Opposition to US climate change legislation gathers pace
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has stepped up efforts to dissuade US Senators from passing cap-and-trade legislation in September.
Pinchin retires from Tradition
David Pinchin has announced his retirement at the end of August as chief operating officer (COO) of Compagnie Financière Tradition, the world's third largest interdealer broker.
CFTC enhances international oversight
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has revised ICE Futures Europe's permission to operate in the US as part of a wider effort to increase international regulatory co-operation.
EDH financial boost targets OTC transparency
Point Carbon, a market analysis firm, has taken an undisclosed stake in the Energy Data Hub (EDH) in a bid to increase transparency in the over-the-counter (OTC) energy markets.
CFTC withdraws ags exemptions
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) withdrew two no-action letters today that provided relief from federal agricultural speculative positions limits laid out in CFTC regulations.
Shariah-compliant commodity trading platform launches
Trading on Malaysian commodity exchange Bursa Malaysia's Shariah-compliant commodity trading platform - Bursa Suq Al-Sila' - began today.