Months after the February 2021 winter storm left millions in the dark and cost several hundred people their lives, federal regulators have announced that they’re investigating the actions of two natural gas companies.

Investigators from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are looking to determine if the companies manipulated prices during the crisis. If found to have done so, the companies could face stiff civil penalties.

Regulators did not release the names of the companies.

In a November report, regulators said auditors have reviewed more than 2,000 natural gas transactions, resulting in auditors conducting “10 inquiries into natural gas market participant behavior during the cold snap.”

Auditors closed seven of the inquiries, referred two for investigation and continued to investigate one, the report said.

Months after the February 2021 winter storm left millions in the dark and cost several hundred people their lives, federal regulators have announced that they’re investigating the actions of two natural gas companies.

Investigators from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are looking to determine if the companies manipulated prices during the crisis. If found to have done so, the companies could face stiff civil penalties.

Regulators did not release the names of the companies.

In a November report, regulators said auditors have reviewed more than 2,000 natural gas transactions, resulting in auditors conducting “10 inquiries into natural gas market participant behavior during the cold snap.”

Auditors closed seven of the inquiries, referred two for investigation and continued to investigate one, the report said.