sf gate text gov gray davis energy speech forwarded mike grigsby hou ect 04 05 2001 10 05 pm mike sfgate com 04 05 2001 10 12 00 pm sent mike cc subject sf gate text gov gray davis energy speech article sent someone found sf gate original article found sfgate com thursday april 5 2001 ap text gov gray davis energy speech associated press 04 05 18 08 pdt text gov gray davis televised speech energy thursday prepared delivery good evening speaking tonight sacramento difficult issue facing california energy crisis simply stated two problems supply low costs high result flawed deregulation scheme created 1996 matter got mess hired solve problems long term solution build power plants must also cut back consumption stabilize utilities prices fall supply truly reliable generate power consume yet 12 years took office single major power plant built california one since became governor licensed 12 major power plants ten pipeline without weakening commitment clean air clean water deregulation required utilities sell many power plants independent generating companies generators free charge whatever want governed federal regulators refuse control wholesale energy prices past winter prices charged generators shot roof driving utilities brink bankruptcy january feds still refusing job california stepped purchase power utilities could longer afford buy take save utilities took keep power economy strong also negotiated long term contracts electricity vastly lower prices used emergency powers seize control low cost power contracts utilities forfeit generators began negotiations buy utilities transmission system cut red tape offered cash incentives speed construction power plants launching 800 million conservation program moving establish public power authority build power private sector fails build plants california needs build share concern generators ripping us using every legal remedy root punish illegal conduct fix 12 years inaction overnight making real progress know fought tooth nail raising rates become increasingly clear however rising natural gas prices feds failure control costs state lack supply rate increases needed keep lights economy strong remain committed protecting average californians massive rate hikes urging public utilities commission adopt plan protect average consumers reward conserve motivate biggest users cut back proposal half pay penny rest average increase 26 1 2 percent many group rates rise 10 percent heaviest users see rates rise 34 1 2 percent average includes business paying share addition 9 percent surcharge paying since last winter californians reduce bills conservation point use pay conserve save conservation best short term weapon blackouts price gouging flexing power help secure energy future unlike puc plan includes funds restore utilities financial stability agree three main conditions must provide low cost regulated power state 10 years agree sell us transmission system dismiss lawsuits seeking double electricity rates proposal raises rates fairly assures us long term power stabilizes utilities promotes conservation emphasis conservation critical order make summer must cut demand least 10 percent already launched programs cut back commercial lighting reduce consumption office buildings schools government facilities friends power shortage far powerless 34 million strong us part minimize disruptions get summer californians withstood earthquakes floods fires droughts yes mess man made help god blessing get well thank good night copyright 2001 ap