The Days Of Enron Looting About To Return to California

May 25 (LPAC)--The California Public Utility Commission voted yesterday to begin the process of deregulating some of the state's electricity market. By a 4-1 vote, they gave backing to a request from Wal-Mart, the California State University system, and other large commercial consumers of electricity, to be permitted to "shop for lower rates."

In 2001 to 2002, this policy, introduced and financed largely by the corrupt Enron's own Kenneth Lay (See article, EIR, June 8, 2001, Fight Escalates Against Bush Energy Corruption), led to the biggest energy crisis in California's history.

Critics of the PUC decision of May 24, 2007 say this is a foot-in-the-door for a return to the same deregulation plan which nearly bankrupted the state, and triggered widespread blackouts and shortages, in the summer of 2000 to the winter of 2001. The PUC acted despite opposition from four top Democratic lawmakers, including Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles. In a letter, they said that only the Legislature can reinstate retail energy competition until 2017, reported Forbes.com on May 24.

In February, 2001, just weeks after the inauguration of the Bush administration, Lyndon LaRouche addressed a youth seminar in California, warning about the deregulation. That presentation appeared in the February 16, 2001 issue of Executive Intelligence Review, entitled, "On The California Energy Crisis: As Seen and Said By the Salton Sea." Both articles are available on.