Policy risk
Senate turns attention to cap-and-trade
The energy industry is holding its breath as the US Senate begins work on a cap-and-trade bill after legislation passed the House of Representatives. Pauline McCallion investigates
Carbon traders reject EDF Energy's price floor calls
Carbon market participants have criticised calls by EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz for a carbon price floor, reports Rachel Morison
CFTC steps up speculator scrutiny
The CFTC is to re-examine the role of speculators as it considers imposing federal position limits on futures trading in energy contracts. Pauline McCallion reports
All for one
The Waxman-Markey Bill brought the US a step closer to establishing a federal mandate for renewable energy generation. Pauline McCallion looks at the implications for renewable energy credits trading
Rewriting the rules
The proposed re-regulation of financial markets in the US could have far-reaching consequences for OTC commodity derivatives trading. Peter Malyshev, of counsel at law firm Winston & Strawn, analyses the proposals and identifies possible winners and…
JI: Life after 2012?
Joint Implementation (JI) emission reduction projects have so far been overshadowed by the Clean Development Mechanism. Katie Holliday investigates whether there is a future for JI projects post-2012
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
EBRD to support Ukraine gas reforms
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to provide a sovereign-guaranteed loan to Ukraine's state-owned energy firm Naftogaz. The loan will aid a government plan to reform Ukraine's struggling energy market and secure the transit…
UK scraps carbon VAT to tackle fraud
The UK government has moved to tackle VAT fraud on carbon credits by removing VAT from emission allowances.
Banks step forward at second CFTC hearing
Investment bank structures came under fire today at a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) hearing called to examine position limits and hedge exemptions in the energy sector.
Regulator re-opens speculation debate
At the first of three hearings on possible methods to control oil price speculation today, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman called for serious consideration of the need for position limits in energy trading.
CFTC to regulate ICE natural gas contract as SPDC
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has imposed new regulatory and reporting requirements on a natural gas contract traded on the IntercontinentalExchange.
CFTC sets dates for position limits hearings
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold the first of three open hearings to discuss energy position limits and hedge exemptions on July 28, 2009.
Carbon market VAT scrutiny shifts to Climex
The Dutch government has announced changes to the way carbon permits will be taxed, following concerns about a 49% leap in volumes on Dutch carbon exchange Climex in June. The growth came despite an overall drop in trading volumes across all European…
Treasury casts some light on OTC derivatives regulation
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner spoke further about Government plans for the regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives today during a hearing of the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees.
Updated: Light at the end of the tunnel for Russian JI
The Russian government is discussing an important step towards clarifying regulatory procedures for JI projects, according to market participants.
UPDATED: CFTC plans speculation clampdown
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold public hearings in July and August to discuss the need for federal position limits to be imposed on energy futures traders.
Oil & gas sector stung by Obama budget proposals
Tax changes proposed in President Obama's 2010 budget have raised concerns in the US oil & gas industry about supply security and price volatility. Pauline McCallion reports
Russia forges ahead with power market liberalisation
The freely-traded portion of the electricity market in Russia was increased from 30% to 50% on July 1. The rise is in line with the state's plans to achieve 100% free pricing by 2011 and sends a positive signal to the market that it will follow through…
Waxman-Markey early action provisions criticized as unclear
Industry commentators have spoken out about the provisions for early adoption of carbon emission reduction strategies in the cap-and-trade legislation currently going through the US House of Representatives.