With no assurance when they’ll meet, California Gov. Gray Davis last Thursday issued a proclamation reconvening the California legislature on Oct. 9 for a third special session to enact legislation to end the state’s emergency role as a power buyer and keep the state’s second largest utility, Southern California Edison Co., solvent.

It is unclear whether the governor is any closer to fashioning a settlement with key legislative leaders, particularly in the state Senate.

“This is a time of great economic uncertainty,” Davis said. “Another utility bankruptcy is not in anyone’s interest. It is my belief that the legislature and I can work responsibly to avoid rate hikes or additional layoffs.”

The governor’s proclamation called on the legislature “to consider and act upon legislation affecting the operation, maintenance, finances, and financial viability of investor-owned utilities that provide electricity or natural gas to California residents and businesses, including their procurement portfolios and practices, and service by alternate energy providers in their service territory.”

While the governor issues the proclamation, each house of the legislature is responsible for the time that each of their members will meet.

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