Rolling Blackouts: Blatant Extortion

* Re “Rolling Blackouts Hit Southland for First Time as Production Falls,” March 20:

So here we are, 22 years after the notorious gas shortage, having another gun held to our head by an opportunistic energy consortium. Back in 1979, we all had to wait in long lines just to pay more for gasoline. Now, we have to face food in our freezers thawing and simmering in our homes during hot summer days, just to earn the honor of paying more for electricity.

Of course, as soon as the rates are up and the environmental concerns are shoved aside, watch how plentiful power will be. When is somebody in government going to stand up for the consumer and stop this blatant form of extortion?

JOHN JOHNSON

Agoura Hills

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So customers of PG&E; and Edison are “shielded from soaring wholesale prices”? Some shield: turning off all our power without so much as a moment’s notice, endangering lives and disrupting businesses just to keep our electricity prices unreasonably low. Let’s lift the rate caps to get the lights back on. And if I need to be shielded from soaring prices, I’ll turn my own lights off.

ANDREW LOWD

Claremont

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This state needs adequate, reliable electricity to run a diverse economy. Both political parties and business interests are at fault. This crisis demands top priority, aimed at lasting solutions.

The most immediate solution is fast-tracking of added generating capacity. Freeway bridges were rebuilt in record time after the Northridge quake, so we know it can be done. That is the type of effort that is needed, immediately.

Since Democrats hold the governorship and control both state legislative houses, they are in the driver’s seat. If the lights go out, the Democrats go out. If this state government can’t solve the problem, we need a new government that can.

STEVE ANDERSON

Huntington Beach

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The alleged energy crisis in California is entirely contrived to relax environmental pollution standards and to raise energy rates. It’s curious that the L.A. Department of Water and Power, which was not deregulated, is not currently experiencing an energy crisis. PG&E; and Edison are both part of national and multinational corporations. Why should utility customers have to pay for their economic problems or gross mismanagement?

Several power plants were taken off-line for “routine maintenance,” which may not have been so routine. Energy is a vital necessity; if these companies can’t provide it at a reasonable, affordable rate then they should be replaced by companies that can, be taken over by the government, or de-deregulated. There is an abundance of solar energy in California, of which only a small fraction is being utilized. There is no shortage of energy in California, only a shortage of intelligence, will and honest politicians.

CHARLES B. EDELMAN

Los Angeles