Energy markets

FERC Proceedings Continue for Alleged Gas Market Manipulator

Michael Giberson At yesterday’s open meeting of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Commissioners established a hearing to determine whether Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and its affiliates engaged in market manipulation in violation of FERC rules. At stake is a possible penalty of over $200,000,000 in proposed fines, recovery of “unjust profits”, and interest. As …

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Piling on the Criticism of a Summer Gas Tax Holiday

Lynne Kiesling By now you all have probably heard that Hillary Clinton and John McCain are proposing gasoline tax holidays this summer to take some budget pressure off of voters who drive a lot (c’mon, let’s be honest about the true audience of these proposals). Barack Obama does not support such a proposal. Criticizing this …

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Thrills! Chills! High Oil Prices! A Roller-coaster Ride of Excitement!

Michael Giberson Wow, this article on international oil supply and demand from the New York Times is fascinating, and not in a good way. Did they fire the editors? It is like a bad action movie – fast-paced, a few colorful characters, far too many plot twists, and if you stop to think you spoil …

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“There’s No Such Thing As a Free Carbon Cap”

Lynne Kiesling I’m taking a little time this morning to catch up on the reading I’ve missed over the past month, while I’ve been focused elsewhere. One worthwhile observation, with which I agree, comes from Virginia Postrel’s note about carbon policy positions of Presidential candidates, among other things: It’s infuriating how all three presidential candidates …

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No Gouging or Other Manipulation Found in Study of Washington State Gasoline Prices

Michael Giberson According to a year-long study of gasoline prices in the state of Washington, variations in prices across the state “are due to the cost of obtaining and transporting fuel to stations and local competition – not illegal price manipulation.” The state’s Attorney General commissioned the study, which was conducted by University of Washington …

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A Longer View of the Retail Gasoline Experience in Vermont

Michael Giberson Free Press columnist Ed Shamy offers “a stroll through The Burlington Free Press archives about gasoline prices,” beginning January 16, 1974, continuing to today: Jan. 16, 1974: Gasoline in short supply in Vermont. Entire communities without a single open filling station. And gasoline is obscenely expensive, an average of 48.7 cents per gallon …

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