[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 7 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 80. A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to 
order refunds of unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory or 
preferential rates or changes for electricity, to establish cost-based 
rates for electricity sold at wholesale in the Western Systems 
Coordinating Council, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.


               california electricity crisis legislation

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill relating to 
the electricity crisis in California. As a result of deregulation, 
Californians are confronting higher electricity prices and an 
unreliable supply
  Last week, Northern California experienced rolling blackouts. 
Children were trapped in elevators. Manufacturing plans had to shut 
down, costing millions of dollars. Entire agricultural crops can be 
destroyed with a blackout. Obviously, this situation does not just 
affect Californians but can impact the entire nation's economy.
  The bill I am introducing today is similar to legislation I 
introduced last fall with Representative Bob Filner. The California 
Electricity Consumers Relief Act would establish a Western Regional Cap 
for electricity rates.
  The electricity shortage experienced by California in recent months, 
clearly demonstrates that a price cap must be imposed on the entire 
Western United States to be effective. If the price for electricity is 
higher in other Western states than California, then a generator 
chooses to sell power outside of California. A regional price cap will 
being some stability to the market by ensuring a reliable supply for 
the entire Western region, so that no state will confront a shortage.
  I urge Congress to bring an end to this crisis. We must now act to 
bring Californians and other Western states what they need--an adequate 
supply of electricity at a fair and reasonable price. By implementing 
this region-wide cap, we can address a major cause of California's 
energy crisis.
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