In an e-mail that went to members of all the organizations, White says the legislature is considering a bill to postpone deregulation, but it may not get through the state Senate and Gov. John Kitzhaber without more support. The email included a form letter and the addresses of state legislators, and members were encouraged to place the letter on their own stationary and fire it off.

"California's effect on the cost of energy in our region, coupled with our already slowing economy, a decreasing energy supply and increasing rates, leads me to believe that this is not the time to deregulate," states the letter.

The letter goes on to say that many of the suppliers who expressed interest in selling in Oregon have left, that no others have come forward with a desire to serve our customers, and that it likely will be at least four or five years before there is sufficient energy supply available to make deregulation work as it was intended.