Power companies to be hit by US financial reforms: expert

Senate financial reform bill could leave power companies facing major collateral problems

Power companies will face major collateral problems that will affect their operational capabilities if over-the-counter derivatives products are forced onto an exchange, as proposed in the overhaul of financial regulation approved by the US Senate last week, says a market expert.

“People turn pale when this topic comes up,” says Art Altman, who manages research in forecasting and risk management for the power markets at the Electric Power Research Institute. “Companies use creative forms of