Reform bill forces energy risk management rethink

The House of Representatives passed the US financial reform bill on Wednesday night, paving the way for a widespread overhaul of trading and risk management practices that will affect the energy sector. The Senate will tackle the legislation next week before the bill goes to US President Obama to be signed into law.

Concerns remain over the impact of the bill on the availability of hedging products for end-users trading in the energy and commodities markets. The bill mandates that all but the