If California is to be saved, the first essential step is to leave Gray Davis twisting in the wind. Step one complete. On to Step 2:
<<Calif. Gov. Attacks Bush Energy Plan
By ALEXA HAUSSLER, Associated Press Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Gray Davis attacked President Bush's energy plan Thursday, accusing the administration of ``turning a blind eye to the bleeding and hemorrhaging that exists in this state.''
The Democrat said Bush's pledge to speed up power plant permits and conserve energy at federal buildings offers no short-term relief from California's rolling blackouts and soaring electricity bills.
``We are literally in a war with energy companies, many of which reside in Texas,'' Davis said. ``Californians want to know if he is going to be on their side.''
Davis repeated his plea for the government to impose caps on wholesale energy prices that he says have driven the state's largest electric utility into bankruptcy and put two others on the brink of collapse.
``If he wants to be helpful to California, he could send a strong signal that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should grant some kind of relief,'' he said.
California has been struck by six days of rolling blackouts since January, and officials predict many more over the summer.
The president said his 163-page energy plan provides solutions that will help ease California's power woes.
``I'm deeply concerned about the impact of blackouts on the daily lives of the good people of the state of California, and my administration is committed to helping California,'' Bush said.
California has been plagued by energy shortages, in part because of soaring wholesale electricity prices and the state's botched effort to deregulate the power industry.
Davis urged the president to look at such solutions as ordering the power generators to refund some of the recent high wholesale power prices.
``His long-term approach is basically on track, but for those of us who are in immediate peril, it offers no relief,'' the governor said.
California is in danger of recession because high energy costs are ``dragging down our economy,'' he said.
State Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte said he thinks the president's plan will help California, particularly in helping to speed construction of new power plants. He said it is a mistake for California to blame Bush and the federal government for the state's problems.
``Gov. Davis and his administration made significant mistakes on this energy issue, and rather than trying to find a solution, he's playing the political blame game,'' Brulte said.>> |
