Mirant, Other Traders Sued by Wash. Utility

Mirant Corp., Williams Cos. and six other energy traders are being sued by a public utility in Washington state that claims the firms colluded to create artificially high electricity prices.

The power generators already face similar suits from California consumers, cities and the state attorney general. The Snohomish County Public Utility District, north of Seattle, said it is the first Washington public utility district to file such a claim.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, cites memos released in May by Enron Corp. that indicate its traders and other companies used techniques dubbed “Fat Boy” and “Death Star” to create artificial energy shortages.