By Ros Krasny
WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Monday said it approved a
settlement with Gila River Power LLC for manipulation of power
markets in California in 2009 and 2010.
The settlement calls for Gila River, a subsidiary of Entegra
Power Group LLC, to pay a fine of $2.5 million. In addition,
unjust profits of $911,553 plus interest will be returned and
allocated to affected electric ratepayers.
FERC said the agreement marked the first time that a market
participant has admitted to a violation of FERC's
anti-manipulation rule in an energy trading case.
Gila River admitted to using "wheeling-through" transactions
between July 2009 and October 2010 to manipulate prices in
markets operated by the California Independent System Operator
(ISO), so that it would receive a higher price on a higher
quantity of energy imports.
"The company's trading strategy moved the price of power at
import nodes, including Palo Verde," FERC said.
It also admitted to violating FERC regulations requiring
accurate submissions to the California ISO.
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