Wilson and George Deukmejian, neither the Southern power companies nor the California utilities built new plants in the state. The danger for California was masked by wet years in 1998 and 1999, making hydroelectric power plentiful and cheap. But as the weather changed in 2000, rainfall declined, the Sierra snowpack diminished, hydropower dried up and the Texas cartel tightened its grip on California's electric power market. Since greater scarcity equals greater profit in an unregulated market, the Southern boys were in clover. Now Davis is blaming Washington for California's woes, but his stance is somewhat disingenuous.
Relief is a long way away.
It's far more likely that he'll continue to call on the hostile Bush administration for help, while knowing that rejection may in fact be far more helpful politically. But that's a dangerous course, too. Bush is not the governor, and he's not on next year's California ballot. The buck has to stop somewhere, and voters may decide it's much closer to home than Texas or Washington. Perfect for the Salon fan in your life.