Energy
Russia rewires
The break-up of Russia's power monopoly, RAO Unified Energy System, in July 2008 heralded a new dawn for the sector and a key point in the lengthy liberalisation process. But privatisation coincided with the economy's crash. Roderick Bruce examines the…
Beyond compliance
Community-level emission reduction projects are in demand as compliance buyers diversify carbon offset portfolios and corporates seek out sustainable green projects. Voluntary and compliance market methodologies and pricing are therefore becoming…
BlueNext to move into US carbon market
European environmental exchange BlueNext has announced plans to open a New York office this summer and launch Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) products by the end of 2009.
Ex-SemGroup CEO denies trading strategy caused bankruptcy
Former SemGroup chief Tom Kivisto has criticized a court report that stated his speculative oil trading drove the company to bankruptcy.
Morgan Stanley named in FCStone saga
Morgan Stanley has revealed its role in the disposal of a loss-making energy trading account by FCStone in March 2009.
RWE/E.ON and EDF win UK nuclear auction
The UK government has confirmed that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has successfully completed the auction of three potential new nuclear sites for a combined total of £387 million, significantly more than the government had previously expected to…
First domestic Australian CER trade
The first Certified Emission Reduction (CER) trade between two Australian counterparties has been made by Victorian electricity generator Loy Yang Power (LYP) and Queensland-based commodity trading and risk management firm Arcadia Energy Trading. The…
ICE launches 20 OTC cleared oil contracts
IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) has introduced 20 new cleared OTC oil contracts, which will be available for clearing from May 18, 2009.
Carbon trading volumes up but market value down in 2009
Trading volumes in the global carbon market grew by 37% in the first quarter of 2009, compared to quarter four of 2008, according to New Carbon Finance.
Utilities call for early allocation of emissions
US utilities have called on Congress to allocate emissions allowances in the early years of a national cap-and-trade scheme during testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday.
No new coal without CCS, says Miliband
Energy secretary Ed Miliband announced yesterday that there will be no new coal plants built in the UK without carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, in a move designed to place Britain at the forefront of technological developments.
Swiss Re ceases carbon trading
Zurich-based reinsurer Swiss Re is closing its carbon emissions trading desk, according to a spokesperson.
Citi to trade CERs in Israel
Citi has confirmed details of a recent emissions deal for certified emissions reductions (CERs) from a clean development mechanism (CDM) project in Israel.
UK government revises Community Emissions Trading Scheme
HM Treasury announced revisions to the Community Emission Trading Scheme today which set out how the UK will conduct auctions of carbon allowances and how participation in Phase II of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) will be governed.
CCFE launches REC futures
The Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE) has launched the first futures contracts based on renewable energy certificates (RECs).
S&P offers interest rate arbitrage indexes
Index provider Standard & Poor's has launched the S&P Forward Interest Rate Arbitrage Index series, which is designed to provide exposure to interest-rate based investment strategies. The index series, which will comprise indexes for seven countries…
China at forefront of clean coal technology
China is leading the way in developing new cleaner coal technologies according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which says that advanced technologies with higher efficiency levels and the potential to reduce CO2 emissions are already widely used…
BofA Merrill Lynch, Goldman and MS launch European ETP initiative
Source, an open architecture exchange traded product (ETP) platform created by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, has launched 13 ETFs and 22 ETCs (Source T-ETCs) for European investors. The platform has been created with…
Keydata offers kick-out for the first time
Keydata, the UK structured products distributor, has launched its first autocallable structured product. The five-year plan is linked to the FTSE 100 index and has 50% soft capital protection.
Canadian report calls for national cap-and-trade scheme
The Canadian government should establish a national carbon pricing policy through an economy-wide cap-and-trade scheme, according to policy development committee, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).
CFTC prepares for carbon regulation role
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced the expansion of its existing energy committee to create the Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee (EEMAC) in anticipation of a national carbon trading scheme.
EPA finding could lead to GHG regulation
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a proposed finding that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.
OTCGH launches NGL and product options brokerage
OTC Global Holdings (OTCGH), an independent over-the-counter (OTC) interdealer broker, has announced the formation of Ion Energy Group, a natural gas liquids and product options brokerage.