The solutions offered by political leaders, energy executives, academics and consumer advocates lie in the state becoming an energy supplier, or in consumers using less electricity, or in clean air standards being suspended, or in electricity rates being raised. But every potential solution being offered so far has its pluses and minuses. No one solution is likely to be enough. Some are more politically acceptable than others.
Republicans largely believe the long-term solution lies in the private sector.
If we don't do that, we don't get too far away from this problem. This could take various forms. Beyond that, the possibilities range widely. The state could continue to use its good credit rating to purchase power for private utilities, striking relatively cheap, long-term deals. Somewhere in between is a plan drafted by S. David Freeman, the general manager of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and introduced as legislation this week.