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Legal Proceedings
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]  
Legal Proceedings [Text Block]
14. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
GMO Western Energy Crisis
In response to complaints of manipulation of the California energy market, FERC issued an order in July 2001 requiring net sellers of power in the California markets from October 2, 2000, through June 20, 2001, at prices above a FERC-determined competitive market clearing price, to make refunds to net purchasers of power in the California market during that time period.  Because MPS Merchant was a net purchaser of power during the refund period, it has received approximately $8 million in refunds through settlements with certain sellers of power.  MPS Merchant estimates that it is entitled to approximately $12 million in additional refunds under the standards FERC has used in this case.  FERC has stated that interest will be applied to the refunds but the amount of interest has not yet been determined.
In December 2001, various parties appealed the July 2001 FERC order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit) seeking review of a number of issues, including expansion of the refund period to include periods prior to October 2, 2000 (the Summer Period).  MPS Merchant was a net seller of power during the Summer Period.  On August 2, 2006, the Ninth Circuit issued an order finding, among other things, that FERC did not provide a sufficient justification for refusing to exercise its remedial authority under the Federal Power Act to determine whether market participants violated FERC-approved tariffs during the Summer Period.  The court remanded the matter to FERC for further consideration.  If FERC determines that MPS Merchant violated then-existing tariffs or laws during the Summer Period and that such violations affected market clearing prices in California, MPS Merchant could be found to owe refunds. Due to the uncertainties remaining in the case, the potential refund or range of potential refunds owed by MPS Merchant are not reasonably estimable.