Is Google
The Big G was just approved by U.S. energy regulators to trade electric power in bulk on the open market. That license usually belongs to utility businesses like Dynegy
I don't think so. A Google spokeswoman explained that "we made this filing so we can have more flexibility in procuring power for Google's own operations, including our data centers. FERC authority will improve our ability to hedge our purchases of energy and incorporate renewables." Google sure sucks down a lot of power to its worldwide web of data centers and server trailers, even after you account for the solar panels installed at the Googleplex. Taking a more active part in how it buys that power makes sense.
Google is far from the only surprising find among approved American power traders. Grocery store giant Safeway
It's a little bit less comforting to see banking colossi like Citigroup
And if Google ever announces that it plans to resell power rather than just buying on its own terms, I'll take a long, hard look at my holdings in the company. Down that road lies temptation and ruin.