Ray,
I thought you and the thread might find this article of some ironic interest.
Jerry in Omaha
Guess who's asking state for surplus electricity?
Once mighty Enron low on power
Mark Martin, Lynda Gledhill, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Wednesday, December 5, 2001
sfgate.com
Sacramento -- Enron Corp., once the high-flying company accused of raking in millions at the expense of California's troubled power market, made a call to state officials with one question: Brother, can you spare a megawatt?
Officials with the California agency that has been buying electricity in place of the state's financially ruined utilities revealed yesterday that Enron called on Friday hoping to buy energy to supply its customers this week.
State officials said no; they weren't sure if Enron would pay up. The Texas company filed for bankruptcy protection Sunday after a stunning decline in finances.
"We don't want to dance on anyone's grave," said Oscar Hidalgo, spokesman for the California Department of Water Resources. "But this is sort of ironic."
Enron's call for help illustrates a remarkable reversal in fortunes. This week, as customers who signed deals with Enron for power wonder if the company will deliver, state energy officials said they were prepared to make up the megawatts if needed.
The state has signed $43 billion in long-term contracts with energy providers and has often been criticized for having an electricity surplus.
"We should be able to provide the energy," said Pete Garris, acting deputy director of the Department of Water Resources.
Enron provides about 1,200 megawatts to California customers, mostly large- scale users like the University of California and California State University systems.
California's public universities have saved millions of dollars on their electricity bills through deals with Enron, said CSU spokeswoman Clara Potes- Fellow. Nineteen California State University campuses pay about 7 cents per kilowatt hour for energy, compared with rates that can top 11 cents a kilowatt hour for large users getting their energy through Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Now university officials are looking at other options to procure power, said Charles McFadden, a spokesman for the University of California.
"Enron has not said they're going to cut us off. We will keep the lights on on all the campuses," McFadden said. "But we are exploring alternatives."
The universities have deals with Enron through March.
Efforts to reach Enron for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.
The San Francisco Giants and Pacific Bell Park also are exploring their relationship with Enron, said spokeswoman Staci Slaughter.
"At the moment nothing has changed," she said. "We're assessing the situation right now."
The Giants not only get their power from Enron but also have a sponsorship deal that includes the large blue "E" on the center field scoreboard.
E-mail the writers at markmartin@sfchronicle.com or lgledhill@sfchronicle.com. |
