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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

BP P.L.C.

Manipulation of Western Electricity Market (FERC Settlement)

Date: 07/18/2003 (Date of Consent Agreement)

Misconduct Type: Antitrust

Enforcement Agency: Energy

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: N/A

Amount: $3,000,000

Disposition: Settlement

Synopsis: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accused BP Energy Company of manipulating electricity prices in western U.S. markets. A FERC investigation found three occasions in 2000 when a BP Energy trader attempted to manipulate electricity prices at Palo Verde, an important trading hub. BP Energy acknowledged that this trader’s actions were “inappropriate, disappointing, and embarrassing for the company.” As part of the settlement, BP Energy, which did not admit to any wrongdoing, agreed to contribute $3,000,000 to fund tow-income home energy assistance programs for customers in California and Arizona.