SNL Energy editors' picks for the best storiesfor the week ended April 8.

1. Williamslawsuit latest setback in acrimonious merger with ETE

If EnergyTransfer Equity LP's takeover of rival midstream operatorWilliams Cos. Inc. issupposed to be a friendly merger, the friendship appears be on the rocks as thetwo companies feud over the consummation of the corporate marriage that wasproposed in September. "This is theCuban Missile Crisis of mergers," one analyst remarked.

2. FERC'sproposal to modify offer caps raises cost verification, other concerns

A FERC proposal to revise a $1,000/MWh cap on supply offeredin the day-ahead and real-time markets run by RTOs and ISOs received bothcheers and jeers in recent comments. The commissionis considering making the change after some generators had difficultyrecovering their costs during the 2013-2014 winter's polar vortex and becauseof a need to send proper price signals.

3. Coalprovides Republicans needed ammunition in battleground state of Ohio

Home to struggling Northern Appalachian coal mines and hostto this year's Republican National Convention, Ohio was sure to focus on theailing industry this election season. However, recent comments from theDemocratic front-runner have energized the state's GOP and sector advocatesahead of the November contests.

4. Weakerpropane builds this summer could support prices later in 2016

Inventories of propane and propylene have started tostabilize and increase as the winter heating season draws to a close; however,the outlook for the summer build season is not as bright as it was last year atthis time, owing to the increased capacity to export.

5. Court 'morelikely than not' to uphold FERC's Cove Point LNG review

Joseph Fagan, a Day Pitney partner with experiencerepresenting industry clients in federal regulatory matters, shared insightsabout the fight to stop the DominionResources Inc.'s CovePoint LNG LP export project and its implications for other projects.