CPUC Resists Pressure from Legislators to Adopt Generator Rules

Despite pressure from legislators, a slim majority of California Public Utilities Commission members on April 1 voted to keep on hold plans to enforce long-stalled operating and maintenance rules for power plants while thorny jurisdictional issues continue to be thrashed out. Independent generators have steadfastly maintained that the CPUC has no business enforcing these rules. Senators John Burton (D-San Francisco), Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco), and Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) urged commissioners in a March 26 letter to adopt the ?general orders? that were mandated by SBx2 39 in April 2002. The law was enacted to prevent generators from withholding electricity to the market. CPUC president Michael Peevey deflected legislative pressure to make a decision, saying staff need to scrutinize the plans so ?we don?t immediately, upon adoption of the matter, end up in court.? Since the bill?s passage, evidence has mounted confirming suspicions about the generators? ?reprehensible efforts? to withhold power and manipulate the market, charged the legislators. For example, they pointed to the following alleged telephone exchange between traders for Reliant Energy Services in June 2000 that was made public last year: ?We decided the prices were too low...so we shut down.? ?Excellent. Excellent.? ?We pulled about 2,000 MW off the market.? ?That?s sweet.? In a familiar pattern, commissioner Loretta Lynch voted in the minority with commissioner Carl Wood to override the hold of the plans.

Over 11K Stories!

| Independently Powered Energy News

CPUC Resists Pressure from Legislators to Adopt Generator Rules

vdharadmin

Related Posts

Using Free Casino Video Slots To Enhance Your Odds Of Winning

Generators Go Another Round on Mountainview at FERC