Updated: Federal Court Halts Clean Air Act Ruling

Updated: Federal Court Halts Clean Air Act Ruling

Electricity producers are breathing a sigh of relief…at least for a few more months. On December 30, it was reported that the EPA must delay implementing rules on interstate air pollution on Jan. 1 because a federal court ruled on the side of electric power producers and granted a stay pending court review.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Appeals Court in Washington Friday granted a request by electric power producers and other challengers to delay the deadline for plants in 27 states to begin reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide while the court considers the rule’s legality.

The court hasn’t scheduled a date for argument, though the order suggested the judges would hear the case by April.

In other energy news…natural-gas futures were little changed early Tuesday, struggling to hold above $3 per million British thermal units, despite a spell of cold temperatures in the northeastern U.S.

Natural gas closed up $0.004 to $2.993.  Prices briefly rebounded above the $3 mark before dropping below that level on Friday for the first time in 27 months as forecasts for a quick return to above-normal temperatures for most of the nation renewed pressure on prices.

Natural gas continues to struggle this season due to mild temperatures and a supply glut. Forecasts for the next 6 to 10 days indicate most of the nation will have above normal temperatures, which should continue to keep a lid on demand for natural gas.

This morning, ERCOT trades for tomorrow’s peak hours went through in the mid $20’s and off peak trades went through in the low $20’s. Peak load for tomorrow is expected to be about 38,000 MW. For the next couple of weeks, high temperatures throughout most of ERCOT are forecast to be mainly in the 50’s and 60’s while occasionally reaching into the 70’s. Forward heat rates were mixed today as the summers were slightly weaker and the shoulders were generally stronger.

Now is a great time to lock-in to a low electricity rate for your business. Don’t have the time to look around? No problem. By partnering with an electricity broker company like Live Energy, we make it easy to find the best rate and plan for your business. To ask questions and know your options, give one of our certified energy advisors a call today at 877-810-7700.

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