Implementation of the ["mitigation"] plan [e.g. "price caps] would be halted if California Independent System Operator Corp. and the state's three largest investor-owned utilities fail to submit a regional transmission organization plan by June 1 [2001]. The mitigation plan also contains a sunset provision to put California "on notice that they need to work right now" to improve supply and delivery, said Chairman Curt Hebert Jr.The plan follows a series of actions by FERC to address the problem, including the Dec. 15 power market remedies order, an order aimed at increasing supply in the West and speedy approval of an emergency expansion by Kern River Gas Transmission Co. to serve California, Hebert noted.
"This commission cannot help you, if you will not help yourself. File an RTO [plan]. We hear your arguments that it's a natural market, that it's a regional problem," Hebert exhorted the state. FERC's mitigation plan "obligates" Cal-ISO and the utilities to "undertake real reform to promote a regional solution," Hebert insisted.
Ouch! Thank you. Davis must be really upset. Davis and the Cal Legislature, along with DWR must have really pissed off FERC. They will get some serious pay-back. Rule one, when FERC says jump, jump first and ask how high second. They very seldom are vicious, but when the staff or Administrative Law Judges get upset they are judge, jury and executioner all roled into one. Ouch. It is clear the California power issues are now going to be interstate commerce and Davis will have little say.