SNL Energy editors' picks for the best stories for the week ended March 2.
1. Vistra eyes retail M&A as counterweight to Dynegy deal
With its acquisition of Dynegy Inc. nearing final approval, Vistra Energy Corp. is shifting its strategy toward retail growth beyond Texas as a hedge for its imminent wholesale expansion in northern markets.
2. Stakeholders want more clarity before FERC beefs up cyberincident reporting
While addressing a gap in existing mandatory reliability standards that may result in those standards understating "the true scope of cyber-related threats facing the bulk-power system" might seem uncontroversial, many stakeholders insist that more work needs to be done before federal regulators begin requiring that even unsuccessful attempts to compromise certain cybersystems be reported.
3. LNG industry would get 'existential shock' from Trump steel tariff, experts say
President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on imported steel could have a huge impact on the domestic LNG industry, where proposed export projects with multibillion-dollar price tags could become uncompetitive if costs rise for a key material in liquefaction facilities and their supporting pipelines, experts warned.
4. Labor issues plaguing oilfield service industry could impact production
Oilfield service companies are struggling to find workers to replace the hundreds of thousands of employees forced out of jobs during the industry downturn, which is stifling equipment utilization growth and impacting production potential.
5. US tax reform could make it easier for some generators to speed coal retirements
While several coal mining companies have cheered tax reform's effect on their bottom lines, it might give some U.S. utilities a path for closing coal-fired power plants in a way that softens the impact on ratepayers.
