Gray

California Gov. Gray Davis on Friday signed a short-term measure(AB 7X) to allow the state to get into the bulk power spotpurchasing business immediately. He also ordered the state waterresources department to begin setting up a power auction processanticipating it will be authorized by another new state law thatwill be finalized this week to seek long-term electricitycontracts. Observers and market participants, however, say themeasures probably are inadequate to solve the state’s currentsupply crisis.

While careful not to use the word “re-regulation” CaliforniaGov. Gray Davis on Monday clearly indicated his desire to give thestate more direct control over energy operators, utilities and theusage of all the state’s 34 million residents (see Daily GPI, Jan. 9). He barely had time to clarify orget reactions for his plans before flying to Washington, D.C., wherelate Tuesday he huddled with Clinton Administration and industryofficials.

With the New Year’s first power alert called an hour earlier,California Gov. Gray Davis late Monday afternoon outlined his stateenergy crisis plan, calling for state-backed pushes to accelerateconservation and new generation, along with a threat he would usethe power of eminent domain to takeover private sector plants ifprices do not ease. He said the power generators had only oneobjective: “maximizing unheard of profits.”

Showing a carrot, but keeping a “stick” in reserve, CaliforniaGov. Gray Davis Friday outlined for federal regulators steps hewill pursue to fix the state’s ailing wholesale electricity market,stopping short of proposing a state takeover, but hinting he willgo further if federal measures fall short.

Showing a carrot, but keeping a “stick” in reserve, CaliforniaGov. Gray Davis Friday outlined for federal regulators steps hewill pursue to fix the state’s ailing wholesale electricity market,stopping short of proposing a state takeover but hinting he will gofurther if federal measures fall short.

Although he praised FERC as a “fine group of people,” CaliforniaGov. Gray Davis last week made very clear that he doesn’t like whatthat group has prescribed to mend his state’s seriously flawed bulkpower market. Power executives and state market officials said theyfavored the general direction in which the Commission seemed to beheaded, but they had problems with specific proposed reforms aswell.

Although he praised FERC as a “fine group of people,” CaliforniaGov. Gray Davis yesterday made very clear that he doesn’t like whatit’s prescribed to mend his state’s seriously flawed bulk powermarket.

Despite FERC findings to the contrary, California Gov. GrayDavis and top officials at the state’s investor-owned utilities(IOUs) are far from convinced that out-of-state electricitysuppliers didn’t act illegally this summer, causing the huge run-upin power prices in the wholesale market.

California Gov. Gray Davis over the weekend signed into law and vetoed separate measures addressing parts of the state’s ongoing electricity crisis. Davis acted on a half dozen initiatives as the deadline for enacting new state laws expired Saturday. Among the new laws are ones that will accelerate power plant siting and extend ratepayer-supported energy efficiency programs.