FERC

Commission Watch: The Tyranny of FERC

The commission's power grab over bankruptcy courts condemns merchants to a corporate netherworld.

A new district court decision out of Texas tilts the field in favor of FERC's assertion of exclusive authority over who decides whether a debtor can terminate unprofitable power contracts. For merchant energy companies struggling with dwindling capital and mounting credit risks, this change could mean bankruptcy is no longer a viable option for reorganizing.

Byline:

Kenneth Irvin and Robert Loeffler

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T&O Rates: Premature End to A Good Thing?

Solving the dilemma.

FERC wants to eliminate direct T&O charges while at the same time compensating exporting transmissions systems through inefficient uplift charges.

Byline:

John Seelke

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In His Own Words

A face-to-face interview with FERC Chairman Pat Wood III.

In an exclusive interview, Executive Editor Richard Stavros, talks to FERC Chairman Pat Wood III about what the commission has in store for the electric utilities industry in 2004 and beyond.

Byline:

Richard Stavros

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Letters to the Editor

Virginia SCC

The Virginia SCC clarifies factual inaccuracies in January 2004’s columns "Frontlines" and "Commission Watch: Grid Battle Is Joined."

Byline:

William H. Chambliss

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Letter to the Editor

The Kentucky PSC Chair takes issue with Richard Stavros' "AEP's Gutsy Gambit," Frontlines, November 2003.

Byline:

Martin J. Huelsmann

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FERC Throws Down The Gauntlet

The legal battle of the century is ready to begin.

A FERC order late last year — that AEP must join the PJM grid to meet conditions of its 2000 merger with Central and Southwest Corp. — was tantamount to a declaration of war with state regulators. At the center of the issue is whether FERC has authority to pre-empt the states on development of regional transmission organizations.

Byline:

Richard Stavros

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Waiting to Exhale

Courts Deliberate on the Fate of Order 2000: The transmission industry may have to wait even longer for a final decision on challenges to Order 2000 if FERC gets its way.

Though the D.C. Circuit Court could very well add to the delay in resolving some thorny issues of Order 2000, it appears that the court has essentially given the challengers a partial victory, even before a decision is rendered.

Byline:

Jennifer Alvey

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Energy Trading & Marketing: The Evolution of the Deal

Energy traders and risk managers reengineered their business dealings to manage against unexpected political and financial risks posed by California and Enron in 2001.

The rules of energy market survival changed forever in 2001. California and Enron were both humbled by gyrating prices and blackouts in the Golden State, and financial misadventure dethroned the once-crowned king of energy trading. These twin events sent shockwaves through the very foundation of the energy trading and risk management establishment.

Byline:

Richard Stavros

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