Price Controls Are Never a Solution

Your July 3 article reported that electricity suppliers are refusing to sell power to the state because of the uncertainties created by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s price controls. When are we going to learn that price controls lead inevitably to supply shortages and higher prices and are never a workable solution?

James Hyde Forbes

Palos Verdes Estates

Californians managed to save 12.3% in energy over last year (July 2). Fantastic! This message should be on the front page and sent to President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who insist that the only way to solve our energy problem is to drill for and burn more oil, gas and coal. Due to the short time frame, these savings obviously were achieved with off-the-shelf, quickly implemented technology. Imagine what could be saved if we got more people on the bandwagon and implemented long-term infrastructure improvements.

Gov. Gray Davis should continue to publicize energy savings and implement a program of efficiency enhancements.

Paul W. Rosenberger

Manhattan Beach