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Non-Tech : The ENRON Scandal -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TigerPaw who wrote (2908)	2/18/2002 12:41:12 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Respond to of 5185

Public Citizen: Documents Indicate that as Texas Governor, Bush Helped Promote Enron’s Business Interests TigerPaw, Be sure to bookmark this site: citizen.org PRESS RELEASE Feb. 15, 2002 Newly Released Documents Indicate that as Texas Governor, Bush Helped Promote Enron’s Business Interests AUSTIN, Texas — Documents obtained by Public Citizen on Friday suggest that as governor of Texas, President Bush helped promote Enron Corp.’s foreign and domestic business agenda on behalf of company CEO Kenneth Lay. The documents were among 350 pages of Bush records released by Bush’s father’s presidential library, where Bush sent them, after a request by Public Citizen under the state’s open records law. Though Bush has tried to distance himself from Ken Lay following the implosion of Enron and the loss of billions of dollars by investors and employees, the documents include handwritten letters exchanged between Lay and Bush reflecting a personal relationship. They also show Lay frequently sought help from Bush. Lay and Enron have contributed $736,800 to Bush’s political career, including his 1994 and 1998 campaigns for governor, his 2000 presidential campaign, and his recount and inaugural funds. "These documents suggest that Bush was acting as promoter-in-chief for Enron and its business interests at a time when he was getting ready to raise money for his run for president," said Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook. "They certainly raise questions about how far Bush went to help Enron and what other favors he might have done." - In 1999, Lay sent Bush a letter asking him to meet with the Romanian prime minister when he visited Houston. Lay noted that Enron had just finalized a gas marketing joint venture with Petrom and had a Bucharest office. Lay noted that "we are committed to participation in the Romania energy and water markets." - In 1997, Lay sent Bush a letter noting that Bush would be meeting with Uzbekistan’s ambassador and saying that Enron was negotiating a $2 billion joint venture to develop Uzbekistan's natural gas. Lay noted that "this project can bring significant economic opportunities to Texas" and said that "I am delighted that the two of you are meeting." - In 1997, Lay sent Bush a letter thanking him for calling then-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, noting that "I am certain that will have a positive impact on the way he and others in Pennsylvania view our proposal to provide cheaper electricity to consumers." - In 1997, Lay sent Bush a letter thanking him for his efforts to find a middle ground on the debate regarding electricity industry restructuring in Texas. "Thanks to your leadership . . . we made significant progress towards the goal of making the state’s electricity industry fully competitive. . . . Enron looks forward to continuing to work with you." - In 1998, Lay, as chair of the governor’s business council, sent a letter to Bush thanking him for his "outstanding and committed leadership" in getting eight bills passed that made changes to the legal system to help business. - In 1998, Lay wrote Bush to bring his attention to a federal tax bill relating to wind production tax credits that Lay was supporting for Enron’s wind energy business and asked Bush to send a letter to U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer in support of the measure. Last week, Public Citizen obtained documents showing that Lay made a number of recommendations to Bush, as governor of Texas, for appointments to public office.

To: TigerPaw who wrote (2908)	2/19/2002 12:33:34 PM
From: Patricia Trinchero	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5185

TP.............here we go again with some more secrecy. Ca had a heck of a time getting the FERC to do anything about the prices. I would love to see the documents because I do believe that the administration turned their back to CA. Bush himself said that the "energy crisis" was Ca's problem and he refused to interfere. I have to wonder about the reporting...........the secrecy is for a reason and much is being covered up. California Outage Outrage FERC Chairman On The Hot Seat For Answers To Market Manipulation Secret Investigation Found Two Companies Held Back Power Evidence Was Sealed, But Congress Wants To See It LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2001 AP (CBS) Members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) were forced to answer questions Thursday raised by a CBS News investigation. "I'm troubled by the fact that the network news the other night reported on a secret FERC investigation that found two companies were keeping power plants out of service to raise electricity prices," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D- Ore. Under siege from angry consumers, power companies deny they shut down plants to push up California energy prices. But as CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales reported Tuesday, a secret FERC investigation of two companies yielded evidence price gouging did occur. In one instance, Williams Energy admits telling operators at a plant owned by AES, "Williams could provide a financial incentive...to extend the outage." CBS News Investigation Click here to read the report from CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales about how federal regulators have been investigating whether power suppliers deliberately manipulated energy shortages to jack up prices in the West. And that there is important information they refuse to tell. The companies settled with FERC. Neither admitted any wrongdoing. Williams paid $8 million and the evidence was sealed — including documents and audio tapes of company employees arranging to keep plants shut down. FERC chairman Curt Hebert defended the secrecy. "I actually see the AES-Williams case as something very positive." That angered Senator Dianne Feinstein. "Now there's somebody you can go to all in secret, you can work out your deal. Nobody ever knows what really happened. That's wrong, Mr. Hebert. It's wrong," said Feinstein. "I understand your concern. I understand wanting to see the information. I truly believe the settlement process does bring benefits and I do think it is a good indication that FERC is, was and will continue to be vigilant," said Hebert. But the chairman was in the minority. Three commissioners testified the evidence should have been made public. "A big case involving withholding very interesting evidence comes before us and we bury the evidence and it hurts our credibility and makes it look like we're conspiring with the industry," said FERC Commissioner William Massey. Future FERC Chairman, and Bush appointee, Pat Woods says going public and making an example of the companies might have been worth more than the refund. "A few heads on the stakes around the campfire make all the animals behave a lot better in the forest." But FERC refused a CBS News request for documents and faxed a letter stating the commission will not release the audio tapes either — a decision that is being appealed. cbsnews.com