Power Market

* Re “Davis to Propose Ratepayer Surcharge,” Feb. 16: Why can’t the power generators and the utilities just sit down together and agree to forgive a portion of the “debt” (500% profit could be trimmed just a little)? In return the parent companies of the utilities could kick back some money they took out of the utilities (to use for purposes other than utility business) to pay off that “debt.” The public could be getting on with life while new utility infrastructure is being built.

Before it is over, the people of the western United States will suffer while executives on both sides eat caviar and toast their free-market achievements.

ALLAN McNEW

Beaumont