Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, in going back to the solution to high prices: Fair prices nationwide with federally set cost-based rates, including refunds. Utilities are entitled to a modest profit. Any business is. But when one starts talking about California electricity generator profits that for one company, Calpine, increased first quarter of 2000, 424 percent; Dynergy, 102 percent; Williams, 100 percent, all of those figures were increased for the first quarter of 2000 over the last year. People are making a killing at the expense of the consumer. So we are trying to address that in the Progressive Caucus by coming up with a solution and a plan that provides for fair prices nationwide with federally cost-based rates, including refunds. The solution to rolling blackouts is to mandate generators to produce electricity. The solution to issues relating to energy efficiency is to mandate increased energy efficiency. With respect to renewables, mandate increased renewable energy production. Clean air aspects, mandate the development of clean air technologies. Public power, provide financial incentives to encourage public power systems and remove key barriers.”