[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33486-33487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14019]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD03-7-001]


Natural Gas Price Formation; Notice of Staff Technical Conference 
& Workshop on Energy Price Discovery & Indices

May 29, 2003.
    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will hold a 
technical conference on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at FERC headquarters, 
888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC, in the Commission Meeting Room 
(Room 2C). The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the 
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) are 
participating.
    At an April 24, 2003, conference on Natural Gas Price Formation in 
this docket, Commission staff explored issues relating to the 
sufficiency of currently collected and published natural gas price 
information. Authenticity and reliability of the data and adequacy of 
coverage were discussed. At the upcoming conference we intend to weigh 
options and facilitate solutions that would ensure accurate, 
transparent and reliable gas and electric price indices.
    We seek consensus on the best near-term option that will satisfy 
public policy goals in a timely, effective and efficient fashion. The 
discussion will be focused on comparing the merits of various options, 
including industry solutions and solutions involving regulatory or 
self-regulatory oversight, and what would be required to implement each 
option. Staff plans to issue an options paper in this docket and on the 
Commission's Web site by June 13. To advance public understanding of 
the options, the conference will include panelists to explain some of 
the less familiar options such as Self-Regulating Organizations (SROs) 
and audited data hubs.
    This one-day meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude about 5 p.m. 
All interested parties are invited to attend. There is neither a 
registration fee nor preregistration to attend this conference.

[[Page 33487]]

    We look forward to an informative discussion of the options and a 
determination of which would best provide all participants in the 
market clear, transparent, dependable, and accurate price signals with 
which to make informed decisions.
    The Capitol Connection offers coverage of all open and special 
Commission meetings held at the Commission's headquarters live over the 
Internet, as well as via telephone and satellite. For a fee, you can 
receive these meetings in your office, at home, or anywhere in the 
world. To find out more about Capitol Connection's live Internet, phone 
bridge, or satellite coverage, contact David Reininger or Julia Morelli 
at (703) 993-3100, or visit http://www.capitolconnection.org. Capitol 
Connection also offers FERC open meetings through its Washington, DC-
area television service.
    The conference will be transcribed. Those interested in obtaining 
transcripts of the conference should contact Ace Federal Reporters at 
(202) 347-3700 or (800) 336-6646. Transcripts will be made available to 
view electronically under this docket number seven working days after 
the conference. Anyone interested in purchasing videotapes of the 
meeting should call VISCOM at (703) 715-7999.
    We will issue further details on the conference, including the 
Agenda and a list of participants, as plans evolve. For additional 
information, please contact Saida Shaalan of the Office of Market 
Oversight & Investigations at 202-502-8278 or by e-mail, 
[email protected].

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-14019 Filed 6-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P