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Western Governors Meet to Map Energy Strategy

PORTLAND-The energy crunch gripping California is now threatening to dim lights in Oregon and Washington, as well as in up to 12 western states. Ten governors meet in Portland Friday to develop strategies to the lights on.

By Patricia L. Kirk | Updated on February 08, 2001

PORTLAND-Faced with the dark realization that the energy shortage now gripping California is spreading throughout the Western Region, 10 western governors met here Friday at an energy summit called by the Western Governor’s Association to agree on strategies that will keep the power on. Noting that the western states have already implemented energy conservation measures, the group called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to impose price caps to prevent soaring electricity prices from strangling the region’s economy.

They also drafted a list of additional measures states should consider to head off energy shortages and drastic rate hikes. Among them: statewide campaigns to inform the public about the severity of the problem, ways to reduce energy use and costs during shortages as well as encouraging utilities to establish or expand voluntary programs to reduce unnecessary electricity consumption.

Urging the Bush Administration to take immediate action to head off what could turn into a disaster, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber said, “We in the western states are doing what we can to alleviate the problems caused by the immediate crisis. But the Federal Government must exercise its responsibility. I support electricity deregulation that produces market prices, but it is increasingly untenable for the Federal Government to continue to allow the monopolistic prices that have prevailed at the wholesale level this winter.”

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