Free Republic

<p>He also angers Davis by suggesting the governor is linked to a bribery scandal.</p> <p>CITY OF INDUSTRY -- Republican candidate Bill Simon on Saturday blamed Gov. Gray Davis' handling of the energy crisis for the state's economic woes and promised to lower power rates if elected governor Nov. 5.</p>

<p>Controlling energy prices, meeting demand are the grid operator's key goals.</p> <p>WASHINGTON -- The operator of California's power grid on Wednesday asked federal regulators for new authority to control runaway electricity pricing and ensure that there will be enough power to meet demand.</p>

<p>Savings could transfer to customers, send sign that the state's ready to negotiate, but actual effects are unclear.</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Agreements announced Monday between the state and energy companies to renegotiate cheaper prices on billions of dollars worth of long-term power ultimately could affect ratepayers' bills and let other power companies know the state is serious about bargaining, experts say.</p>

<p>The PUC studies rate adjustments to ease costs for some heavy users.</p> <p>Lavis and Joan Mundell thought they had found the perfect spot for retirement, on four rolling acres with apple trees, pecans and a pond.</p> <p>Not long after the former schoolteacher and nurse moved to Auburn from the Bay Area three years ago, their son, his fiancée and her son moved in. Next came two grandchildren. The household of two ballooned to seven.</p>

Electric rates will rise by about 20 percent this summer, but because of quirks in the rate structure and decreases in natural gas prices, SDG&E is predicting that most customers will see little no increase on their overall utility bills. Set to begin May 1, the summertime electric rate hikes will primarily apply to small businesses, though some residential customers will also see increases, according to San Diego Gas & Electric. The electricity increases were mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission to encourage conservation in the summer when the state's generating capacity is hardest pressed. But the utilities...

<p>A year ago, when a struggling Pacific Gas and Electric Co. broke off bailout talks with the state of California and filed the third-largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, the big question was: Which avenue would be better for the utility -- cooperating with regulators, or fighting them?</p>