that's right... you probably think this post is about me... but it's mostly about how i've turned into a girl when it comes to shoes lately. its three ferragamos, and now this latest addition... cory found 'em for me after some ridiculous searching... a black snakeskin pair of gucci's.
also... apparently there's some press on us about how we suck... sort of. of course I can't comment, but it's the first time we've made the press.
Hydro-Québec subsidiary faces price manipulation allegations
BERTRAND MAROTTE
June 15, 2007
MONTREAL
-- A Virginia energy trading firm has filed a complaint with the U.S.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission alleging that Hydro-Québec
manipulated electricity prices in the Northeast U.S. power corridor.
DC Energy LLC of Vienna, Va., alleges in its complaint that a U.S.
subsidiary of Hydro-Québec engaged in an "elaborate scheme" apparently
set up to "immunize" it from competition in the New York state energy
market.
The result of this activity is that competition "has been suppressed
dramatically for all market participants and DC Energy has suffered and
continues to suffer substantial financial losses," the firm alleges in
its complaint.
DC Energy claims it lost $2-million (U.S.) between May 1 and June 9 of this year directly because of Hydro-Québec's conduct. The complaint alleges that Hydro-Québec - a major exporter of
hydroelectricity to the U.S. - used its dominant position to manipulate
the market by engaging in bidding behaviour for energy-transmission
contracts that artificially raised or lowered prices.
Hydro-Québec's actions were "predatory," according to the complaint.
Hydro-Québec said in a press release yesterday that its subsidiary -
HQ Energy Services (U.S.) Inc. - "has complied at all times with market
rules as defined by the New York ISO [Independent System Operator] and
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission."
Hydro-Québec said it will demonstrate its compliance "in writing."
The giant hydroelectric utility also said that DC Energy engages in
derivatives speculation on the New York state electricity market and
that "this strategy proved unsuccessful."
DC Energy is asking the U.S. agency to fast-track its complaint and
to require Hydro-Québec to repay all profits it made from the alleged
market manipulation, as well as impose any other penalties and damages
it may see as relevant.
DC Energy is also asking the agency to suspend Hydro-Québec's
participation in the market in which the alleged infractions occurred. | 
