FERC approves settlement with Canadian utility in California Crisis


CSA Z463 Electrical Maintenance -

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved a $1.3 million settlement with Powerex, a unit of Canada's B.C. Hydro, to resolve allegations that it manipulated electricity markets during California's energy crisis.

The agreement settles allegations that Powerex used trading tactics to inflate energy prices during the 2000-01 crisis.

Last year, FERC commissioners ordered some 43 major utilities, smaller energy traders and city-owned utilities to prove they did not violate trading rules to boost profits.

Powerex and other companies denied any wrongdoing and said the soaring electricity costs simply reflected market conditions and California's poorly designed electricity deregulation plan. Powerex will return $1.3 million in revenues to its customers to settle charges that it "participated in alleged gaming practices" with failed energy trading giant Enron Corp., FERC said in its order.

The utility, owned by the province of British Columbia, welcomed the initial deal reached with FERC trial staff in October as a way to end costly litigation.

Related News

What 2018 Grid Edge Trends Reveal About 2019

2019 Grid Edge Trends highlight evolving demand response, DER orchestration, real-time operations, AMI data, and…
View more

Power outage update: 252,596 remain without electricity Wednesday

North Carolina Power Outages continue after Hurricane Florence, with Wilmington and Eastern Carolina facing flooding,…
View more

Let’s make post-COVID Canada a manufacturing hub again

Canada Manufacturing Policy prioritizes affordable energy, trims carbon taxes, aligns with Buy America, and supports…
View more

NEW Hydro One shares down after Ontario government says CEO, board out

Hydro One Leadership Shakeup unsettles investors as Ontario government ousts CEO and board, pressuring shares;…
View more

New fuel cell concept brings biological design to better electricity generation

Quinone-mediated fuel cell uses a bio-inspired organic shuttle to carry electrons and protons to a…
View more

Green hydrogen, green energy: inside Brazil's $5.4bn green hydrogen plant

Enegix Base One Green Hydrogen Plant will produce renewable hydrogen via electrolysis in Ceara, Brazil,…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified