SNL Energy editors' picks forthe best stories for the week ended April 1.
1. PUCOexplains support for AEP, FirstEnergy generation subsidies
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on March 31unanimously modified,yet controversial eight-year subsidy plans from AEP Ohio and 'sutilities designed to guarantee income for primarily coal-fired generation.
2. RoyalEnergy gaining steam as one of few buyers in busted coal market
Despite fire sale pricing, coal companies still toattract buyers, but has as oneof the eager tobank on the right coal assets.
3. 'Differentby necessity': Attorney fighting gas projects by FERC rules presses for change
The relentless pursuit of new and creative legal argumentsagainst natural gas infrastructure expansions is helping one attorney "eke"out concessions in FERC cases for her clients that are opposed to new projects.
4. Falling rigcounts unlikely to prompt significant declines in oil, gas production
The upward trends in the price of natural gas and crude oilover the past one to two months created expectations that rig counts havefinally fallen far enough to prompt an upward price response. However,migration of rigs to core acreage and the recent increase in hedging activityimply that production declines in the U.S. could be limited.
5. Trump pullsin policy advisers with energy experience, most of it outside US
Leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumprecently named members of his foreign policy team who have energy-relatedexperience, but most of that experience was gained abroad, leaving his domesticenergy platform largely shrouded in mystery.