Bloomberg Law
May 20, 2021, 6:58 PM

U.S. Proposes $242 Million in Penalties for Traders (1)

Naureen S. Malik
Naureen S. Malik
Bloomberg News

The top U.S. energy regulator has proposed forcing three power traders, all veterans of JPMorgan Chase & Co., to pay a total of $242 million for allegedly manipulating an obscure of corner of the country’s largest electricity market.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accused GreenHat Energy LLC and its owners of placing bets on potential grid bottlenecks, known as the financial transmission rights market, that sent false price signals, according to statement Thursday. The wagers cost utilities and other traders in the PJM Interconnection market more than $179 million in losses.

“Today’s order offers another reminder that the Commission has ...