Lawmakers-turned-spin-doctors went into overdrive moments after the state Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday approved a rate hike of 42% for some customers of Southern California Edison and an even steeper 46% increase for those served by Pacific Gas & Electric. The increases will effect 26 million residential and commercial utility users.

Though some legislators and business groups loudly protested any proposed rate increases just a few weeks ago, their tune has changed since the PUC took action barely 48 hours ago. Now, many are claiming that the double-digit rate hikes will actually be good for the state's economy by forcing electricity users to conserve, thus avoiding mandatory blackouts as the weather gets warmer.

Even the California Chamber of Commerce has been forced to alter its once-adamant stance against big rate increases. The increases announced Tuesday are "probably necessary to help keep the lights on," Chamber president Allan Zaremberg says in a new letter to the group's members. "Only by bringing supply and demand into balance will California be able to prevent blackouts," he adds, noting that a steady supply of power is vital to keep the state's businesses running smoothly.