Lawmakers to Hold Meeting on Power Crisis

As electricity rate hikes, rolling blackouts and energy rationing continue to beset California businesses, local Assembly and state Senate representatives are scheduled to gather Friday in Irwindale to discuss efforts to contain the state’s electricity crisis and hear from local businesses that have been hurt by it. Executives of Miller Brewing, for example, are expected to detail the damage electricity shortages and higher power prices have done to their operations. The company has said that the crisis forced it to halt beer production Jan. 17, costing it $250,000 in penalties and causing it to idle 200 of its 750 employees. The two-hour meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the headquarters for the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. Call (626) 856-3400 for more information.