Transition

Confirming that the transition from physical pit trading to electronic marketplaces is indeed impacting the way traders and exchanges do business, a Reuters article said Friday that Nymex Holdings, parent company of the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), has plans to consolidate its energy and metals trading floors in an effort to cut costs. The question remains as to whether floor trading will ultimately go the way of the Dodo bird.

Confirming that the transition from physical pit trading to electronic marketplaces is indeed impacting the way traders and exchanges do business, a Reuters article said Friday that Nymex Holdings, parent company of the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), has plans to consolidate its energy and metals trading floors in an effort to cut costs. The question remains as to whether floor trading will ultimately go the way of the Dodo bird.

In outlining Duke Energy’s transition from an “energy superstore” into “two pure-play powerhouses,” CEO James Rogers predicted that the new Duke Energy pure-play electric company would grow ongoing diluted earnings per share by an average of 4-6% over at least the next three years through solid organic growth and a 1-1.5%/year increase in electricity demand.

In outlining Duke Energy’s transition from an “energy superstore” into “two pure-play powerhouses,” CEO James Rogers predicted that the new Duke Energy pure-play electric company would grow ongoing diluted earnings per share by an average of 4-6% over at least the next three years through solid organic growth and a 1-1.5%/year increase in electricity demand.

Industry advocates agree that a massive transition to a “hydrogen energy economy” will begin with utility companies, but they disagree on whether to start with transportation or with power generation.

Transition problems inherent is shifting Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power utility operations from Xcel Energy to Black Hills Corp. have now been resolved, the Wyoming Public Service Commission indicated last Tuesday in accepting a report resulting from a three-month commission investigation. Problems developed after the sale was completed last January, but concerns about utility billing practices and other issues have now been put to rest, the PSC reported indicated.

Fitch Ratings analysts believe clearing services in the wholesale natural gas and power markets could help restore the health of the energy trading business. But some significant hurdles remain and there probably will be limited progress this year.

Fitch Ratings analysts believe clearing services in the wholesale natural gas and power markets could help restore the health of the energy trading business. But some significant hurdles remain and there probably will be limited progress this year.

TXU Corp. subsidiary TXU Electric has announced a settlement plan to resolve “all major pending issues” related to the company’s transition to competition. The settlement, filed last week with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) following months of negotiation, has the endorsement of major customer groups in the state, and the PUCT staff, said TXU.