The first measurement of a usually obscure factoid by a part of state government was widely reported last weekend, when California state water resources officials trudged up to several key points in the Sierra Nevada range 90 miles east of Sacramento and measured snow levels at two-thirds of a normal winter already. That translates into greater hydroelectric resources, which translates into a better chance for the state avoiding blackouts this summer. It also means less gas demand for power generation in the state next summer.

“Lawmakers, who will have to decide this year how to pick up the tab for the state’s energy costs, are watching the snow carefully,” according to a Sacramento Bee commentary last Sunday. “So are the state’s power-buying experts and the managers of California’s electricity grid. And so is Gov. Gray Davis who faces a bruising re-election fight.”

Noting that this year, like last summer, Mother Nature may help the governor, the Bee said that the state’s energy woes are “likely to be a pivotal issue” in the gubernatorial campaign, and abundant water will go a long way in helping the state dodge another bullet this summer.

“If there is one thing Davis doesn’t want in a tight election fight, it’s power outages,” the Bee predicted. “One can almost see the 30-second TV spots.”

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