Talks to Continue for Energy Crisis Solutions

Negotiators for Gov. Gray Davis will continue talks this week to reach final agreements on the purchase of transmission lines from Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric as part of a rescue plan for the beleaguered utilities. The California Public Utilities Commission meets Wednesday to consider, among other things, how to determine the portion of ratepayer bills that should be set aside so that the Department of Water Resources can buy electricity for the customers of Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric. The department, which has been buying electricity for utility customers since mid-January using state funds, is asking the commission to begin the flow of money from ratepayers to the department for these purchases. Southern California Edison and the PUC will return today to the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Ronald S.W. Lew for a status conference on Edison’s suit that is attempting to force state regulators to substantially raise customer rates.