High Winter Gas Prices Compel PJM to Ask for FERC Investigation

摘要

A March 10 letter to FERC and Acting Chairman LaFleur, written and delivered on behalf of the Organization of PJM States Inc. (OPSI), requested that the Commission undertake a review of the natural gas markets and aspects of PJM operations during the recent cold weather events of January-February 2014. These events and recent increases in wholesale natural gas prices, especially in the 6 eastern states in the PJM service territory served by Transco Zones 5 & 6 and Texas Eastern Zone M-3 city gate stations, have had a significant adverse impact on end-use consumers’ electric prices, the letter claims. “Badly skewed pricing figures” for gas and electricity are not the whole story, according to OPSI. Since January 28, PJM energy prices have been below the $1000/MWH offer cap, but were above that cap on several days during the prior week. Due to higher gas prices throughout January-February, PJM energy prices have been 125-300% higher than the same period last year, imposing further serious burdens on electricity end users.