Release: 4752-03
For Release: February 11, 2003

Presentations from CFTC-FERC Technical Conference, “Credit Issues & Potential Solutions in Energy Markets,” Now Available on the Web

Washington, D.C.—Presentations made by futures and energy industry regulators and market participants at the recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) joint technical conference are now available on the Internet. The presentations can be found at:

http://www.ferc.gov/market-oversight/FERC_CFTC_speakers.htm

The aim of the conference, “Credit Issues & Potential Solutions in Energy Markets,” was to educate FERC and energy market participants about how clearing works and to explore the feasibility of utilizing clearing to address the credit issues that exist in the energy markets. CFTC Chairman James E. Newsome addressed the conference and CFTC staff made presentations about the clearing process and how it is regulated. Among the other panel presentations were CFTC-regulated clearing facilities discussing their clearing models and the protections they provide. More than 300 people attended the conference, which was held at FERC headquarters.

For more information, please contact: Anne Marie Kelly, CFTC: (202) 418-5431, R. David Gary, CFTC: (202) 418-5085, or Bryan Lee, FERC: (202) 502-8004.