Top News

FERC chairman wants 'consensus' before moving forward on grid resilience docket

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Neil Chatterjee said Oct. 21 that he expects the Republican-controlled commission, which is down two members, to act as one on a definition of grid resilience before moving forward. Chatterjee wants a "consensus" on the contentious definition before advancing a proceeding that U.S. coal interests are hoping will generate life-extending revenues for struggling plants.

Good weather expected to drive strong Q3'19 earnings for electric utilities

Some analysts are predicting that favorable weather will, in part, promote a strong quarter for the U.S. electric utility sector. Cost controls and more defensive and predictable rate designs also have contributed to analysts' expectations that utilities will hit their financial goals for 2019-2020.

Midstream earnings may shrink amid producer restraint, Permian pipe competition

Investors may welcome a potential decline in earnings for North American oil and gas pipeline companies as they release third-quarter financial results alongside slowing production. CBRE Clarion Securities portfolio manager Hinds Howard and Raymond James & Associates Inc. financial adviser Justin Jenkins agree that unit holders are more focused on following independent oil and gas drillers in cutting spending to generate free cash flow.

S&P Podcast: US energy officials push innovation to meet evolving energy needs

"We are in this incredible American moment where we are really seeing a fascinating transition in our energy landscape," Chatterjee said on S&P Global Market Intelligence's second episode of "Energy Evolution." On the podcast, hear from Chatterjee, National Energy Technology Laboratory Director Brian Anderson and Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette.

Other energy headlines

* The largest players — and the largest balance sheets — will rise to the top of merchant wind and solar assets holders, BP PLC and Royal Dutch Shell PLC executives said Oct. 21 at the BNEF Summit in London. Oil majors' strong balance sheets and track records in energy trading will give them an edge as support programs phase out amid steep declines in the cost of renewable generation.

* ENGIE North America Inc. said it signed two virtual power purchase agreements with Walmart Inc. for 366 MW from new wind projects. The retailer will procure 166 MW from Engie's Prairie Hill Wind Project in McLennan County, Texas, and 200 MW from the King Plains Wind Project in Noble County, Okla.

* Arch Coal Inc.'s metallurgical coal segment performed well despite the weaker market and challenging mining conditions at the company's Mountain Laurel complex. Executives said on an Oct. 22 earnings call that the company was able to beat analyst expectations because of cost control and strength in volumes.

ChartWatch

The top five midstream companies' stock prices fell during the third quarter. Tudor Pickering Holt predicts that equity performance during earnings will depend on upstream providers' commentary.

Research and data

* RRA Regulatory Focus: Mich. PSC staff supports reduced electric rate increase for Indiana Mich. Power

* Data Dispatch: Analysts project Q3 revenue and income for US refiners to fall YOY

Top pick of the day

ISO-NE chief on 2-step capacity market: 'There isn't a better solution'

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