Energy Firms Concerned About the Impact of Dodd-Frank
Many members of the energy industry have voiced concern about proposed financial reform rules, but the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not shown much willingness to keep the rules from affecting the industry, according to energy executives. Specifically, many energy firms want the CFTC to narrow its proposed definition of “swap dealers,” which energy representatives say could subject energy firms to new mandatory clearing and margin requirements in the over-the-counter derivatives market. According one industry representative, the new rules, if passed as approved, would force power, gas and oil firms to put aside billions of dollars to meet new margin rules, abandoning new investments, and could force them to increase their company’s debt level, which could hurt their credit ratings. To read more about the potential impact of the CFTC’s proposed rules, click here.
