S&P Global Market Intelligence editors' picks for the best stories for the week ended Sept. 6.
1. Colo. county becomes 1st to use new regulatory powers on oil, gas production
Adams County has become the first county in Colorado to take advantage of its new regulatory powers over oil and gas production, setting a new set of requirements on future production in unincorporated areas.
2. Calif. power suppliers pitch central buyer model to ensure grid reliability
In an agreement filed with the California Public Utilities Commission, the state's community choice aggregators joined with Calpine Corp., NRG Energy Inc., San Diego Gas & Electric Co., Shell Energy North America (US) LP and other energy market participants in proposing a new central buyer model to bolster grid reliability.
3. Coal sector focuses on shareholder value, benefiting a handful of investors
U.S. coal companies increasingly tout shareholder return initiatives such as share repurchases or dividends, but the universe of investors benefiting from these efforts is contained to just a few investment groups.
4. Year in Pipelines: 2018 was banner year for big projects but a repeat unlikely
The value of U.S. interstate natural gas transportation and storage assets in 2018 saw its largest increase in years, but with pipe infrastructure beginning to catch up to production and fewer pipe projects moving through the federal regulator, the uptick is unlikely to be sustained.
5. Vistra retail deal part of steady march toward consolidation
Equity analysts view Vistra Energy Corp.'s recent agreement to purchase Ambit Energy Holdings LLC for $475 million as another sign of an increasingly consolidated retail energy market dominated by a duo of independent power producers.
6. Plans for crucial power links on hold as regulators await Brexit resolution
Plans for a slew of new interconnectors to better connect Britain's power grid with the rest of Europe are up in the air as regulators in France and Norway are holding off on approving billions in investment while the drama around Brexit drags on in Westminster.
