Grid operator seeks relief in Lehman case

subscribe

A U.S. electric grid operator filed court papers seeking the right to cancel debts with Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. tied to trades that were frozen when the investment bank filed for bankruptcy.

The Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), which oversees the power grid in the U.S. Midwest and parts of Canada, and administers a wholesale electric market, said in court papers it needed to close out several transactions with Lehman.

A spokesman at MISO said Lehman owed the grid operator money, but could not say how much was owed. He said Lehman had more than enough cash in collateral to cover the bill.

He could not say immediately how much collateral Lehman had with the MISO, noting the amount depended upon a market participant's level of activity. MISO has an electronic platform where companies and individuals can buy and sell electricity.

A Lehman declined to comment on the filing. The court papers did not specify how much is owed to either party.

At any given time, MISO said it had 32 different types of market charges that could be due from or paid to Lehman, according to the documents. MISO said in the court papers it was trying to complete its "ordinary business practices," adding that its contract with Lehman should excuse it from an automatic stay that prevents creditors from seizing funds at bankrupt companies.

Over the past decade or so, banks like Lehman, hedge funds, brokerage firms and other traders have joined electricity generators and utilities in trading in the power market.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Dec. 3 in the case, according the papers.

Related News

bc hydro president

Two new BC generating stations officially commissioned

VANCOUVER - Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is celebrating the official commissioning today of what may be the last large run-of-river hydro project in B.C. for years to come.

The project – two new generating stations on the Upper Lillooet River and Boulder Creek in the Pemberton Valley – actually began producing power in 2017, but the official commissioning was delayed until Friday September 14.

Innergex, which earlier this year bought out Vancouver’s Alterra Power, invested $491 million in the two run-of-river hydro-electric projects, which have a generating capacity of 106 megawatts of power. The project has the generating capacity to power 39,000…

READ MORE
nick clark

Calgary electricity retailer urges government to scrap overhaul of power market

READ MORE

Site C Dam

OPINION | Bridging the electricity gap between Alberta and B.C. makes perfect climate sense

READ MORE

canada-finalizes-clean-electricity-regulations-for-2050

Canada Finalizes Clean Electricity Regulations for 2050

READ MORE

cyprus map

Cyprus can’t delay joining the electricity highway

READ MORE