Policy risk
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
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.
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…
EIA: World will be more dependent on Opec oil
The world will become more dependent on Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) oil by the start of 2011, following sustained surplus production capacity and a forecasted decline in growth from countries outside the producer group, says…
European power: Market coupling initiatives spread
In this introduction to Energy Risk’s series on European power markets, Rachel Morison and Katie Holliday look at cross-border integration in Europe, with a focus on the latest market coupling initiatives, asking what’s needed to extend the initiative…
The risk of getting compliance wrong
A wave of investigations and prosecutions in recent years has driven many top energy players from the business. With regulators’ power set to increase, getting compliance right is now more important than ever. In the first of a two-part series, Michael…
Uncertainty over UK ROCs damages investor confidence
Recent changes to the allocation of Renewable Obligation Certificates by the UK DECC has left industry participants wary about their long-term value, finds Katie Holliday
EPA proposes tightening emissions standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a tighter standard for ground-level ozone emissions in a move that could affect the US emissions trading market.
Chinese CER market in pricing limbo post Cop15
The market for long-term Chinese generated certified emission reductions (CER) units is in a pricing limbo, after China, the world’s largest carbon emissions emitter and one of the largest developers of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects, failed…
Gensler calls for tighter regulation of dealers
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman Gary Gensler refused to detail a timetable for imposing position limits on energy traders today, but called for tighter regulation of dealers in over-the-counter derivatives.
EUA market auction goes live on spot market
Leipzig-based European Energy Exchange (EEX) today launched primary market auctioning of European Union Emission Allowances (EUAs). EEX is running the primary auction for EUAs in Germany on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment.
RGGI lawsuit settled
A challenge to the legality of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has been settled, according to a statement from the New York State organisations involved.
Republican aims to block EPA carbon regulation
Alaskan senator Lisa Murkowski plans to file a disapproval resolution to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act.
EPA issues GHG endangerment finding
In a move that could foreshadow regulation of US businesses that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday that GHGs threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.
Australia – renewables policy
As government support for renewables grows globally, Andrew Petersen and Eros Artuso of PwC look at Australia’s latest initiative and compare it with other schemes worldwide
US cap-and-trade offsets clouded by uncertainty
As US firms await climate change legislation, it looks inevitable that heavy emitters will need to invest in carbon offset projects – some of them overseas – in order to meet targets. However, the outlook for offsets is clouded by regulatory uncertainty…
UK energy policy: time for change?
UK energy policy could be set for a shake-up next year, with a change of government looking likely, and security of supply and green issues at the fore, writes Lawrence Haar