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FERC Proposes NEPA Revisions to Streamline Air Quality Analyses and Accelerate Natural Gas Projects

LCG, October 16, 2026--The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced on Thursday its new proposal to revise and accelerate its review of air quality effects for proposed natural gas projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The draft policy statement highlights revisions designed to (i) avoid unnecessary delays and duplicative analysis and (ii) deliver greater regulatory certainty and a streamlined path forward for project applicants.

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AEP Announces 702-MW Bloom Fuel Cell Project to Serve Google in Wyoming

LCG, October 14, 2026--American Electric Power (AEP) today announced plans for a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google, under which AEP will invest approximately $4 billion to advance a new 702-MW fuel cell generation project located near Cheyenne, Wyoming. Google will acquire power from Cheyenne Fuel Cell, LLC, which is approximately 92 percent owned and controlled by AEP and 8 percent owned by funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, LLP. AEP and its partners plan to start construction this year and to be fully operational by the end of 2028.

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Industry News

Guilty Plea Submitted by Enron Trader in Manipulation Case

LCG, Feb. 5, 2003--A trader for Enron, Jeffrey Richter, responded in Federal District Court in San Francisco yesterday to a case alleging his participation in false scheduling of power resources in the California power market with a guilty plea.

Richter, 33, had previously told F.B.I. agents investigating the energy crisis of 2000 and 2001 that he had not submitted any power schedules intended to deceive market operators. He admitted Tuesday to having lied to the agents. Speaking about the interview on Sept. 26, Matthew J. Jacobs, an assistant United States attorney, was quoted in the New York Times, "The most significant thing is that the defendant is admitting that he made false statements. This should send a message that if anyone impedes or obstructs the investigation they can and will be prosecuted."

The investigation that led to Richter being charged was triggered based on documents generated by a meeting between Richter, fellow trader Timothy Belden and one other trader with a company lawyer. The participants discussed trading strategies that allowed Enron to profit by deceptive practices, including by receiving payment for relieving fictional congestion.

Richter pleaded guilty to engaging in strategies that could have contributed to raising market prices, Get Shorty and Load Shift. While Belden, who has been cooperating with prosecutors, admitted to wire fraud for his role in Western energy markets, his involvement appears to have taken place starting in 1998, rather than in 2000 as was the case with his less senior colleague. Mr. Richter became a trading assistant for Enron's West Power short-term trading desk in June 1999. A fine of as much as $250,000, and a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison for each guilty plea could be imposed, based on market manipulation and lying to investigators.
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