Warns

Overly prescriptive regulatory or legislative action that is meant to remedy manipulative behavior in the energy sector could in the end “chill or kill” the market, warned Commissioner Sharon Brown-Hruska of the Commodity Future Trading Commission (CFTC) last Thursday.

Overly prescriptive regulatory or legislative action that is meant to remedy manipulative behavior in the energy sector could in the end “chill or kill” the market, warned Commissioner Sharon Brown-Hruska of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Thursday.

The American Gas Association (AGA) told FERC recently that charges of capacity release abuses should not distract the Commission from the more important actions in its notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) docket on a code of conduct for gas sellers (Docket No. RM03-10).

The American Gas Association (AGA) told FERC it probably would be wise not to open a whole other can of worms by addressing the recent recommendations of the Virginia Industrial Gas Users’ Association (VIGUA). AGA said the VIGUA suggestions, in particular that FERC prohibit local distribution companies from simply transferring control of their firm transportation capacity to affiliates, go far beyond the scope of the Commission’s proposed rulemaking on a marketer Code of Conduct.

Kinder Morgan President Michael C. Morgan said Thursday that changes in FERC’s policy on negotiated transportation rates could significantly limit investment in new natural gas pipeline infrastructure in the Rocky Mountains and elsewhere.

Kinder Morgan President Michael C. Morgan said Thursday that changes in FERC’s policy on negotiated transportation rates could significantly limit investment in new natural gas pipeline infrastructure in the Rocky Mountains and elsewhere.

Noting that FERC’s proposed rule to bar manipulation of wholesale electric markets “may chill pro-competitive behavior,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has called on the federal energy agency to focus its sights on creating “structurally competitive markets” instead.

Noting that FERC’s proposed rule to bar manipulation of wholesale electric markets “may chill pro-competitive behavior,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has called on the federal energy agency to focus its sights on creating “structurally competitive markets” instead.

Duke Energy Corp. told employees last week that poor market conditions affecting its merchant energy operations and milder weather that has negatively impacted its North Carolina utility sales will force the company to take additional cost cutting measures this year, including possible job reductions and project delays, in order to meet its earnings per share target of $1.35-60 in 2003.