Policy risk
Carbon market prices in Poland and Estonia emissions win
Carbon traders remain optimistic about the market's outlook despite the ruling by the European Union’s Court of First Instance to allow Poland and Estonia to increase their emissions allowances for the second phase of Europe’s emissions trading scheme…
Cbeex and BlueNext combine forces
France-based climate exchange BlueNext and the China-Beijing Environmental Exchange (Cbeex) have signed an agreement to form a carbon market standard for China. The move is a step towards the creation of a Chinese voluntary system to limit greenhouse gas…
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US utility Duke Energy has withdrawn from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) because of constraints imposed by influential member companies who will not support passing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.)
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.
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.
Financials could face carbon curbs under Senate proposals
Senators could call for curbs on who can participate in the carbon market created under the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) when it is considered by the Senate after the August recess. It was passed by the House of Representatives on June…
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.
Green shoots
Will the US Department of Energy's stimulus funding provide the financing required by the renewable energy sector?
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.
South Korea gears up for carbon targets
South Korean companies are demonstrating increased interest in carbon trading, as the country gears up for setting a 2020 emissions reduction target.
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.
CCX carbon credits may gain SPDC status
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a Notice of Intent to determine if the Chicago Climate Exchange's (CCX's) Carbon Financial Instrument (CFI) performs a significant price discovery function.
Uncertainty clouds Australia’s carbon trading proposals
The Australian parliament has rejected plans for an emissions trading scheme. The proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) failed to pass in a Senate vote, but the government plans to re-submit the proposal to the Senate before the United…
Amaranth to pay $7.5 Million fine
The Commodity Futures Trading Exchange (CFTC) announced details today of a court order to settle charges of attempted manipulation of natural gas futures prices against Amaranth Advisors LLC and Amaranth Advisors (Calgary) ULC.
GHG allowances could cost $191 by 2030
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has predicted greenhouse gas allowances could cost $191 per metric ton by 2030 under the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
CFTC outlines more regulatory concerns
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) ended the last of three public hearings on the energy market today, citing several additional areas of regulatory interest including firewalls, high frequency trading and over-the-counter market regulation.
A seagull's-eye view
US offshore energy could receive a boost from a newly announced US Federal regulatory scheme. Gregory Lawrence, Mustafa Ostrander and Stephen Smith of McDermott Will & Emery outline the programme