The loud whine emanating from California comes not from power generators...but from the Governor's flacks and the SF Chronicle.
Washington -- In a decision that outraged California officials, a federal regulatory judge ruled Thursday that energy firms owe far less than the $8.9 billion the state has demanded in refunds for electricity overcharges during the power crisis and that, instead, California consumers should pay generators $1.2 billion in unpaid bills.
It's several years too late to be crying foul. In February 2000, Governor Davis acknowledged that "if I wanted to raise rates I could have solved this problem in 20 minutes." So why didn't he? Power rates skyrocketed anyway and taxpayers must foot the bill for the long term energy contracts Davis foolishly signed at the peak of the shortage. Davis emphasized polls (the re-election campaign had begun) rather than prudent policy, failed to meet with industry leaders, failed to allow utilities to sign long-term contracts and raise retail rates, and did not recognize the severity of utility losses.
True to form...the universal response to political malfeasance and/or a failure of governance in the Bay Area is to create a victim group and engage lawyers to mouse word a blameless exit.