State treasurer urges Davis to take over power plants
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California should take the extraordinary step of taking over private power plants within the next few weeks if electricity prices continue to rise, state Treasurer Phil Angelides said yesterday. Angelides, viewed by many as a centrist Democrat attuned to the needs of the state’s business community, is the first statewide constitutional officer to take such a strong and detailed position on seizing power plants. His stand could add momentum to a push by many legislative Democrats to persuade Gov. Gray Davis to use his emergency eminent domain powers. A spokesman for Davis said yesterday the governor could be more open to the use of eminent domain if power costs continue to skyrocket. Davis mentioned the possibility in January but has not given it much attention since then. Angelides warned that the state’s plan to get out of the electricity market without breaking the state budget will fail if generators raise their prices this summer. More : sfgate.com |