Considerably

The financial risk to companies in the S&P 500 would vary considerably under a carbon emission cap-and-trade program, an analysis has found. Earnings of most companies would be “relatively unaffected,” but some could face costs that could more than offset all their earnings, according to a report by the nonprofit Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRC) and Trucost, a carbon data analyst.

The financial risk to companies in the S&P 500 would vary considerably under a carbon emission cap-and-trade program, an analysis has found. Earnings of most companies would be “relatively unaffected,” but some could face costs that could more than offset all their earnings, according to a report by the nonprofit Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRC) and Trucost, a carbon data analyst.

With natural gas futures prices “considerably less than the average price for the last three winter heating seasons,” the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) this week initiated a proceeding to review the hedging plans of the state’s gas and electric utilities, the PSC said.

Dissenting voices both within and outside the state regulatory process got considerably louder recently regarding actions by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with several billion dollars of impact — a rate case for Southern California Edison Co. (SCE) and an upgrade of the transition to advanced metering for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E). Ironically, at this same meeting the CPUC approved nearly $400,000 in compensation to consumer groups and individuals for contributions they have made in past regulatory cases.

Dissenting voices both within and outside the state regulatory process got considerably louder last Thursday regarding actions by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with several billion dollars of impact — a rate case for Southern California Edison Co. (SCE) and an upgrade of the transition to advanced metering for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E). Ironically, at this same meeting the CPUC approved nearly $400,000 in compensation to consumer groups and individuals for contributions they have made in past regulatory cases.

The Obama administration Tuesday delivered its second blow to domestic oil and natural gas producers in less than a week — this time considerably slowing the process for review of the new five-year offshore leasing plan (2010-2015) that was issued in the final days of the Bush administration.

The Obama administration last Tuesday delivered its second blow to domestic oil and natural gas producers in less than a week — this time considerably stalling the process for review of the new five-year offshore leasing plan (2010-2015) that was issued in the final days of the Bush administration. The action elicited widespread protests from producers.

Natural gas producers, especially those active in shale basins, could be in for a rough ride in 2009 and beyond if the current turmoil in the financial markets and the downturn in commodity prices continue unabated, producers told FERC Friday. And while industrial customers see lower gas prices as good news, they say now is not the time to relax.

Natural gas producers, especially those active in shale basins, could be in for a rough ride in 2009 and beyond if the current turmoil in the financial markets and the downturn in commodity prices continue unabated, producers told FERC Friday. And while industrial customers see lower gas prices as good news, they say now is not the time to relax.