realize report sent yesterday california energy commission conclusions state natural gas infrastructure long brief synopsis hope helps everyone time read full report yet see better summary come send well lorna cec blames overtaxed state gas system high prices confirming state energy crisis made abundantly clear months ago california energy commission cec staff last week released final draft report state natural gas infrastructure concluding constrained caused higher average wholesale gas prices particularly southern half state report totally rule market manipulation culprit concludes combination infrastructure shortcomings possible market manipulation higher natural gas prices california market participants may manipulated prices even higher justified existing infrastructure bottlenecks inability gas customers rely competition gas suppliers contributed higher prices california report stated among half dozen recommended steps state take help bolster initiatives already way utilities merchant energy suppliers said cec report go five member commission approval aug 22 stressed encouraging development independent gas storage facilities taking steps fully optimize storage including increase use large end users backdrop study conclusions cec report noted upgrades state infrastructure interstate pipeline capacity needed meet growing demand california throughout west current proposed interstate pipeline expansions come online scheduled cec report said state actions would necessary although spell might future report said cec track closely storage levels natural gas prices key indicators extensive problems might given time state natural gas infrastructure steps recommended action 1 encouraging state natural gas production state legislature already proposed new law provide incentives 2 setting new design criteria reliability standards state gas system reflect cec calls changing nature natural gas demand especially electric generators 3 establishing integrated planning state pipeline storage facilities 4 developing natural gas curtailment scheme emphasizing efficiency optimizing gas use times shortages 111 page report natural gas infrastructure issues prepared cec electricity natural gas committee final adoption five member politically appointed commission assessed state gas industry perspective supply pipeline capacity inter intrastate storage added elements recent historically severe drought pacific northwest state pipeline constraints california arizona border part proposed implementation report recommends cec work closely california public utilities commission develop new curtailment policy fair time promotes efficient use natural gas shortage periods also proposes cec fall conduct workshop determine ways non core large energy intensive customers better optimize use natural gas storage