Power Crisis Sparks Anger Among Ratepayers

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Power Crisis Sparks Anger Among Ratepayers

There is anger and suspicion in the streets of Sacramento about high cost of electricity.

"Somebody's greasing somebody's pocket and keeping all the money," said power customer Carlos Medina. "I can tell you the consumer is the one that's suffering for it."

Last month, state lawmakers approved the sale of $10 billion in bonds. The money is supposed to be used to pay for long term power contracts, instead it's being eaten up day-by-day. The state's electricity bill through the end of this week is $2.3 billion. California is spending $2 million an hour, or roughly $48 million dollars a day. By May 1st, when the state can start selling bonds, $5 billion will have already been spent.

Taxes are paying the $2 million dollar an hour price for electricity. Taxpayers get hit again again when they receive power bills every month. Anger among ratepayers is starting to simmer. Consumer groups are threatening to circulate a ballot initiative if the high cost of power is passed on to ratepayers.

It seems everyone has a story about their energy bills. "What is the public supposed to do?" said Maurice Williams who recently moved to Sacramento. "We have electric bills, gas bills that are higher than our mortgages in some cases."

If you are fed up with the power crisis and want your questions answered, News10.net has set a a special e-mail box. Questions will be answered on a special broadcast that'll air Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. If you have a question or comment, just click on the link below.

http://www.kxtv.com/news-story/February2001/021901/Customer-Anger.htm

-- Tess (webwoman@iamit.com), February 21, 2001


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