Platts reports:: While the two largest US regional transmission organizations show signs of healthy competition and improved efficiency, they have failed to come to grips with persistent market power concerns and how to promote infrastructure investment, the National Rural Electric Cooperative ... Read More
Archives for December 2006
Expert Opinion
PES says: I did not see the drop coming last week, but traders focused more on the future warmer temps than the last week’s cold temps. The market wants to move higher, trust me, but it cannot follow through.Without a sustained cold, it is hard to see many reasons for higher prices. However, maybe ... Read More
Who Won?
Who Won? The auction outcome is displayed in the chart. (If you click on it, you can probably read it.) The full 55-page report is posted at the ICC. So far, I'm struck by two things, one true but so what, the other true blue. The ICC staff makes the effort at the outset to sweeten the result ... Read More
Oh, Yeah? Yer Momma Does Math!
Platts also reports: "When adjusted for inflation, electricity rates for Commonwealth Edison's residential customers will be 22% below where they were in 1997 when the state's current retail rate freeze is lifted in January, Illinois Commerce Commission staff said Wednesday." ... Read More
You Talkin’ to Illinoize?
Platts covered a speech by FERC Chairman Joseph Kelliher: "There have been a lot of comments in recent weeks regarding competitive markets and state regulatory policy. I'm using the 'C' word (competition) not the 'D' word (deregulation)," Kelliher said. "Deregulation is not federal electric ... Read More
Freeport Republican State Rep Jim Sacia
speaks his mind in plain language on the rate freeze controversy. It's worth reading just for the clarity.He's gotten his facts from the ComEd lobbyists, but there's no shame in that. ComEd will be buying electricity at $63/MWh come January and selling at $36/MWh under the rate freeze. You do the ... Read More
Hurricane? Hurrican’t!
They call it El Nino, but I call it a hurricane forecast. It's a hard thing to get right. Nobody remembers the season's correct predictions, only the ones that go wrong. At least, NOAA always steps up to the plate with the same fanfare for its forecast assessment as for its initial forecast. For the ... Read More
Apples or Oranges?
Don't forget, prices usually do not include charges for load following, imbalance or management fees typically included in retail supply quotes reflecting charges to the customer's meter. In addition, losses, transmission, ancillary and delivery costs are not included. ... Read More
Cold, Snow, Storage Surplus Falls …
Naturally, prices fall, too. If it made any sense, we'd all be making more money. Instead, the market prices in all its fears, then discounts reality no matter how grim. DJ Newswire reports: "The fundamentals are still too overwhelmingly bearish to buy gas at these prices," said a trader. "It ... Read More
The Blame Game
State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said both Mike Madigan and Emil Jones deserve blame. "I think the game that's being played between the speaker and the Senate president is sort of a game of chicken," said Jacobs. State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, focused his ire on Gov. Rod ... Read More