My administration has worked with your good governor and California authorities to speed the approval of new power plants, expand electricity production, and to increase the flow of natural gas into your state. But for too long, too often, too many have wasted energy, pointing fingers and laying blame. My administration will continue to work to help California through the difficult months ahead. 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.
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, but their result will ultimately be more serious shortages and therefore even higher prices. I have publicly called on federal agencies to investigate all complaints of illegal gouging and, if those complaints are justified, to take strong and appropriate action. It has rolled back a record amount of overcharges, where objective investigation has found abuses. My administration is committing to doing our part to help California as it confronts its energy problems. Energy and the environment do not have to be competing priorities.