Regulation/Commodities
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Cap-and-trade bill passed by Senate committee
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) passed the Kerry-Boxer Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act by 11 votes to one today, with all seven Republican committee members absent from the vote.
Electric utilities urge prudent reform
Increased transparency in the OTC derivatives markets is a goal supported by the US power industry, but it’s imperative that increased regulation doesn’t push up the cost of hedging and cause higher or more volatile electricity prices, writes Richard…
International energy regulator launched
The creation of the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER), a group of 12 regional energy regulatory associations, was announced by John Mogg, president of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER), at the fourth World Forum of…
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.
Spanish rules cushioned banks from the crisis, says top regulator
In an exclusive interview with Risk , José María Roldán, director-general of banking regulation at the Banco de España, explains how a unique regulatory framework has led Spanish banks to adopt prudent trading and risk management processes that paid off…
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.
Nexen considers sale of marketing businesses
Nexen may sell all or part of its natural gas and power marketing businesses as part of a strategic review announced just over a week after it reported a drop in quarter two earnings.
Market uncertain over oil price direction
Analysts at investment banks are divided in their views over the average price of crude oil for the rest of 2009 and into 2010.
Airlines to face €1 billion carbon bill in 2012
Aviation's entry into the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) in 2012 is set to cost the sector €1 billion, a report by carbon analysts Point Carbon has shown.