Federal regulators seek to clear utilities

(part of the Friday,long weekend, hide-it-in-the-data-dump)

Federal regulators seek to clear utilities

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES --

Federal regulators filed motions to dismiss claims that utilities illegally manipulated the power market to profit during California's power crisis, and a federal court judge dismissed seven class-action lawsuits that accused Duke Energy and other defendants of manipulating energy prices.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission attorneys filed motions Friday to dismiss claims against more than a dozen public and private companies in an investigation into manipulation of the state's power market. They included city-owned utilities in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Pasadena, and Riverside.

Federal regulators have been investigating possible manipulation for 18 months. During the probe, now-bankrupt Enron said that it had used questionable trading strategies in California with names like Fat Boy and Death Star.

snip

But California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who is investigating manipulation of state energy markets, questioned whether the allegations should be dismissed. Lockyer's office, with other state agencies and utilities, has submitted thousands of pages of evidence it says supports the argument that California is owed $9 billion in refunds for electricity overcharges during the crisis.

"FERC trial staff seems to move aggressively only to the extent of letting companies off the hook," said Lockyer spokesman Tom Dresslar.But California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who is investigating manipulation of state energy markets, questioned whether the allegations should be dismissed. Lockyer's office, with other state agencies and utilities, has submitted thousands of pages of evidence it says supports the argument that California is owed $9 billion in refunds for electricity overcharges during the crisis.

"FERC trial staff seems to move aggressively only to the extent of letting companies off the hook," said Lockyer spokesman Tom Dresslar.

snip

link http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030830/APN/308300615


I borrow way too much from Eschaton, atrios.blogspot.com

And, we just have to get KennyBoy Lay back in the news somehow. See Pepperbelly's related thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=251746

*

Bush is trying to screw California and Arnold loves Bush.

Bring it together for the people of California, make Arnold take a stand on the energy rip off. Does Arnold support Bush or California?

Cruz and Davis need to go on the offensive.

I remember strongly worded dot-connecting statements from Davis over the two past court victories he won over energy companies and I cheered. But now? Even here, where we sort of "get" what's happening, the interest seems low.

How does Davis throw this up against an action star in a compelling way? What cameras would hold still long enough for him to explain it? If the public were inclined to understand it at all, wouldn't they already?

And just as crucial to crushing the repubs to the benefit of the people/planet, is pending litigation in which Bush is suing CA for passing high new emmission/milage standards. CA is the only state that can do that- through some technicality of the fed act- and where CA goes, the nation follows. Imagine 40mpg in 10 years. Who would that hurt? So Bush *stops* it.

how the hell can they get away with this kind of crap?

Where the hell are our candidates?

:grr:

_|_ to Whistle-ass and Asscrack.

this plays into the cali recall :kick:

Ahh-nuld loves KennyBoy. Ahh-nuld loves KennyBoy.

Musta read it in some old sex mag somewhere?