Letters to the Editor
Comments on “Back to Basics: A Starvation Diet for Utility Earnings Growth” and “Consolidating Co-ops” from the June 2004 issue.
People
People for August 2004.
Positions filled at FERC, Colorado PUC, CMS Energy, and others.
Facing the Death Penalty
Did FERC's market power ruling go too far?
Market-based sales put at risk are the financial lifeblood of some utilities, especially those of the multi-billion-dollar, vertically integrated variety. Those that fail FERC's market-power test will be forced to sell their excess generation at cost-based rates — a "death penalty," according to some utility CEOs.
Technology Corridor
Fundamentals in the energy markets are converging to increase the need for incremental gas storage.
Technology Corridor
Fundamentals in the energy markets are converging to increase the need for incremental gas storage.
The natural gas market is approaching a dramatic turning point. The fundamentals in the energy markets are converging to increase the need for incremental gas storage and the way that storage is used and valued by the customer community. Why is new storage needed? What will it take for new storage to be developed? What do customers need to commit to new storage projects?
Business & Money
An analysis of the strategic implications of the re-basing of power and utility industry valuations.
Business & Money
An analysis of the strategic implications of the re-basing of power and utility industry valuations.
Over the past several months, traditional valuation levels have re-emerged in the power and utility industry, with recent premium valuation metrics compressing significantly.
Commission Watch
Incentive regulation is not a cure-all for the continuing controversy over return on equity.
Commission Watch
Incentive regulation is not a cure-all for the continuing controversy over return on equity.
Regulated utilities are all too familiar with the contentious disputes that surround how the allowed return on equity (ROE) is set in a traditional cost-of-service setting. These disputes, which are reappearing as numerous utility rate-stabilization plans signed as part of deregulation come to an end, are likely to hinge, as always, on the riskiness of utility operating environments.
Perspective
Commission policies need to recognize customer obligations and state commission decisions.
Perspective
Commission policies need to recognize customer obligations and state commission decisions.
Even the best of intentions can create unintended consequences. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has acted aggressively and appropriately during the past few years to stimulate competitive wholesale electricity markets.
Power Measurements
IOUs take action, but other overriding forces will affect prices in the near term.
Power Measurement
IOUs take action, but other overriding forces will affect prices in the near term.
It's going to be a wild summer for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), courtesy of higher than forecasted load growth, high gas prices, delays and cancellations of renewable resources, and lower than normal hydro generation.
Letters To The Editor
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor:
People
New Opportunities:
People
New Opportunities:
Stephan T. Haynes, who has been American Electric Power's vice president of risk oversight since January 2002, was named vice president of corporate finance for the company.
Kay G. Priestly was named Entergy Corp.'s vice president of financial issues management. Priestly earlier was managing partner at Arthur Andersen.