Maria Cantwell: “I rise today to discuss the documents that were released yesterday, which illustrate how Enron has manipulated energy…”

“I rise today to discuss the documents that were released yesterday, which illustrate how Enron has manipulated energy markets in California and in many Western States. Based on yesterday's revelations, I believe ratepayers deserve prompt relief from Enron's trading practices. I think these documents show Washington State electricity consumers what they have suspected all along, that prices have been manipulated and they have, as a result, paid higher energy prices, many up to double-digit rate increases. Many of you may have seen the articles. I want to have several of these printed in the Congressional Record. They emphasize the information that is being provided in documents I think my colleagues from California had printed in the Record. The New York Times, the headline was: Enron Forced Up California Energy Prices, Documents Show. Another article that was printed in the LA times: Memo Shows Enron's Role in Power Crisis. Energy: 'Smoking gun' document by company lawyers reveals tactics used to create electricity shortage in California, then drive up prices. Another in the Washington Post: Papers Show That Enron Manipulated California Crisis.”