February 2006 Market Clearing in the Energy Industry 6-41 © Copyright 2006, CCRO. All rights reserved. offering clearing solutions and continued expansion of the breath of products and/or markets offered by clearing vendors. As well, since 2002, the North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corporation (NECC) has developed a new solution aimed specifically at clearing physical energy markets both for ICE traded products and for RTOs/ISOs. Additionally, as the energy industry has increasingly become integrated within North America, especially in light of the substantial increase in gas fired generation, increased US natural gas supply originating from Canada, and with an integrated US and Canadian electricity grid, a clearing platform available in Canada is also reviewed (the Natural Gas Exchange). NGX provides an example of market clearing for physical products. Appendix E provides a summary description of each of the major vendors offering clearing solutions. Additionally, Appendix F provides a side-by-side comparison of the different clearing platforms against clearing attributes identified in the 2002 CCRO Credit Risk white paper. Note that Appendices E and F are intended for general informational purposes, and do not represent an independent assessment, verification, or endorsement by the CCRO of vendor capabilities, products and services, or claims. Rather, the information presented is intended only to provide the reader with background on certain vendor characteristics. Potential users are advised to perform their own independent review as to the accuracy of vendor claims, and the appropriateness of use of any product or service.