Boardroom Directors: Caught in the Matrix
Building a system to evaluate the leadership's ability to meet corporate goals.
Discover your board’s unique strengths and weaknesses by developing a simple matrix chart — and addressing any gaps.
EPC
The New CEOs
Whether utility leaders come from law, engineering, or finance, one thing can be said: Many of the new CEOs have had diverse experiences.
Our annual CEO survey looks at six new utility leaders: Mike Morris of AEP, Robert McGehee of Progress Energy, Michael Chesser of Great Plains Energy, Gary Rainwater of Ameren Corp., Dennis Wraase of PEPCO, and Paul Anderson of Duke Energy.
Commission Watch: The Tyranny of FERC
The commission's power grab over bankruptcy courts condemns merchants to a corporate netherworld.
A new district court decision out of Texas tilts the field in favor of FERC's assertion of exclusive authority over who decides whether a debtor can terminate unprofitable power contracts. For merchant energy companies struggling with dwindling capital and mounting credit risks, this change could mean bankruptcy is no longer a viable option for reorganizing.
Business & Money
Cash flow reporting is more susceptible to manipulation than investors imagined.
Cash flow reporting is more susceptible to manipulation than investors imagined.
Financial results are the prism through which investors view performance in the world of business. Companies may have tens of thousands of employees supplying tangible goods and services to customers, but real and diverse activities are reduced to relatively few numbers when companies are valued.
Distressed Generation Assets: When Is the Price Right?
An overview of the buyer and seller, and a discussion of current values for distressed assets.
Reign of the Bond Kings
S&P, Moody's, and Fitch tell why credit issues now rule the energy sector.
S&P, Moody's, and Fitch tell why credit issues now rule the energy sector.
This year saw energy companies forced to make some grim choices-issuing new stock in falling markets, angering investors with dividend cutbacks, selling prized assets at fire sale prices. Some blame it on the rating agencies-the bond kings-who imposed tougher credit standards after the fall of Enron.
Bush Energy Plan Takes the High Road
News Analysis
President Bush's national energy policy offers no relief for summer, giving Democrats a bone to pick.
News Digest
News Digest
People
Frontlines
Two new transcos wake up to a stack of protests.
Frontlines
Pancakes for Breakfast?
Two new transcos wake up to a stack of protests.
With the first deadline only a month away, electric utilities have launched trial balloons before filing plans at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for regional transmission organizations (RTOs).