Blame shifting is not action, it's a distraction. Anything that meets that test will alleviate the shortage, and we will move swiftly to adopt it. Anything that fails that test will make the shortage worse. We will not take any action that makes California's problems worse. And that's why I oppose price caps.
Price caps do nothing to reduce demand, and they do nothing to increase supply.
At first blush, for those struggling to pay high energy bills, price caps may sound appealing. I want to assure Californians that the federal government takes very seriously our responsibility to make sure that companies are not illegally gauging consumers. I have publicly called on federal agencies to investigate all complaints of illegal gauging, and if those complaints are justified, to take strong and appropriate action. I'm pleased that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has done just that. My administration is committing to doing our part to help California as it confronts its energy problems.