Commodity Futures Trading Commission September 14, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On July 11, 2005, the Commission published in the Federal Register a request for comments on proposed Technical and Clarifying Amendments to rules for Exempt Markets, Derivatives Transaction Execution Facilities and Designated Contract Markets, and Procedural Changes for Derivatives Clearing Organization Registration Applications. The proposed amendments are intended to: Clarify and codify acceptable practices under the Commission's rules for trading facilities, implemented pursuant to the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, based on the Commission's experience in applying those rules since they were originally adopted in 2001; and revise the application and review process for designation as a derivatives clearing organization. The original comment period closed on September 9, 2005. By letter dated September 6, 2005, the New York Mercantile Exchange (``NYMEX'') requested that the comment period be extended 15 days, to September 26, 2005. NYMEX requested the additional time because, due to current extreme energy market conditions, the Exchange staff will be unable to properly circulate its response and obtain the necessary committee approvals and other review necessary to file a comment prior to the original close of the comment period on September 9, 2005. In response to this request, and in order to ensure that an adequate opportunity is provided for the submission of meaningful comments, the Commission will reopen and extend the comment period on the proposed rules.