Senator Feinstein Asks President Clinton to Assist San Diego County with Energy Crisis
July 28, 2000

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asked President Clinton for help in easing the energy crisis facing San Diego residents.

In a letter dated July 26, 2000, Senator Feinstein wrote: “The citizens of San Diego County have suffered from skyrocketing electricity rates this summer and the trend shows no signs of abating. I understand that the average household energy bill has doubled and many small businesses have seen their energy bills triple. You recently provided assistance for several of the southeastern States affected by this summer's heat wave; I hope you can also assist San Diego County.”

“The current crisis in California could last, without any outside assistance, for at least two more years until new energy generating facilities come on line. It is anticipated that the rest of California may undergo a similar energy crisis as soon as energy deregulation is fully integrated throughout the state.”

Senator Feinstein asked the President to take three immediate actions:

(1) To request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hold a hearing on the energy crisis in San Diego before the end of the summer.

(2) To request that FERC extend the authority of the Independent Systems Operator (ISO) to set an energy price cap, an authority that is set to expire in November;

(3) To provide California with emergency assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program to assist low-income households unable to pay their utility bills.