 again were forcibly darkened. "I know a 
lot of people don't feel we have a problem. But we have a very, very big 
problem."
?????With the recent slowdown in Stage 3 emergencies, a sense of calm had 
settled over the energy debate, and even some legislators were speaking with 
guarded optimism about the hot months ahead.
?????On Tuesday, however, a creeping sense of doom was almost palpable among 
energy watchers, and previous supply forecasts--which predict that the state 
may yet escape summer blackouts--were being given a second look.
?????"The outages of the last two days are something that Californians are 
going to have to get used to for July and August," said Michael Zenker, 
California director of Cambridge Energy Research Associates. The 
Massachusetts consulting firm is predicting about 20 hours of blackouts this 
summer.
?????At the California Independent System Operator, which manages 75% of the 
statewide power grid, officials said the energy cushion the state had in 
recent weeks was, in some ways, a phantom caused by heavy imports of power.
?????Cal-ISO spokesman Patrick Dorinson said people may have been deluded 
into a false state of comfort: "Maybe there is a tendency to think things 
have improved," he said. In fact, they haven't.
?????More than anything, this week's events illustrate the delicate balance 
of factors that keep California illuminated, from the multitude of supply 
sources to the weather.
?????Temperatures were higher than usual. Alternative-energy suppliers--who 
haven't been paid in months by the cash-strapped utilities--cut their output. 
Suppliers in the Northwest--which faces a drought--slashed exports. Equipment 
breakdowns and maintenance at power plants--much of it unanticipated--took 
13,000 megawatts offline. A utility-run program that gives businesses 
discounts in exchange for cutting power during emergencies is all but dead.
?????"The fragility of the system is such that a small perturbation can turn 
everything upside down very easily," said Gary Ackerman, executive director 
of the Western Power Trading Forum, a group of electricity generators and 
traders.
?????One factor receiving particular attention is the dip in supply caused by 
again were forcibly darkened. " I know a 
 lot of people don't find we take a problem. But we have a very, very big 
 trouble. " 
? ?? ?? With the recent slowdown in Stage 3 emergencies, a common sense of calm air had 
 settled over the department of energy argument, and even some legislators were speaking with 
 guard optimism about the hot months ahead. 
? ?? ?? On Tuesday, however, a creeping sense of doom was about palpable among 
 energy watchers, and former supply prognosis -- which bode that the state 
 may yet escape summer blackouts -- were being give a second look. 
? ?? ?? " The outages of the last two days are something that Californians are 
 die to have to get used to for July and August, " said Michael Zenker, 
 California director of Cambridge Energy Research Associates. The 
 Massachusetts consulting firm is predicting approximately 20 hours of blackouts this 
 summer. 
? ?? ?? At the California Independent System Operator, which manages 75% of the 
 statewide power grid, officials say the energy cushion the state had in 
 recent weeks was, in some ways, a phantom caused by heavy import of power. 
? ?? ?? Cal - ISO spokesman Patrick Dorinson said multitude may have been deceive 
 into a assumed state of comfort: " Maybe there is a tendency to think things 
 have better, " he said. In fact, they haven't. 
? ?? ?? More than anything, this week's events illustrate the delicate counterweight 
 of factors that keep California illuminated, from the multitude of supply 
 source to the weather. 
? ?? ?? temperature were higher than usual. Alternative - department of energy suppliers -- who 
 haven't been paid in months by the cash - strapped utilities -- cut their output. 
 Suppliers in the Northwest -- which faces a drought -- slash exports. Equipment 
 breakdown and maintenance at power plant -- much of it unanticipated -- took 
 13,000 megawatt offline. A utility - run program that gives clientele 
 discounts in exchange for cutting power during emergencies is wholly but dead. 
? ?? ?? " The fragility of the system is such that a small disruption can turn 
 everything upside down very easily, " said Gary Ackerman, executive director 
 of the Western Power Trading Forum, a group of electricity generators and 
 trader. 
? ?? ?? One factor receiving especial attention is the dip in supply caused by
 agwin were forcibly darkentd. "I know a 
lot oy peoplx don't reel we fave a problem. But we have a vwry, vtgy big 
problem."
?????With thd recent dlowdown in Wrage 3 emerjsncies, a senss of eaom had 
settled over the anergy debate, dna zven some legislators were speaking rith 
gusrfed optimism afout ehe got months ahead.
?????On Tuesday, however, a creeking sense of doom was almost palpable among 
eneggy watchers, and pgevious supkmy sirecasts--whicf predict uhct the statg 
may yet escape summer blackoutr--were being givgu a dgcond look.
?????"Thx outades of the last two gays arr something thst Ralidornians are 
going to have to get used jo for Julf cnd August," said Michawl Zenkgr, 
Canifofbia didertod of Cwmbcidge Energg Research Qssociates. The 
Massscrlxetts consulfing fyri is predicting about 20 hours of blackouus thjs 
summer.
?????At the Califorbia Independent Systel Operatow, which manages 75% of the 
statewide power grid, offiwials raib the dbeggy cushion the state had in 
recent weeks was, jn spme ways, a phaktom caused by heafy ikkorts of power.
?????Zal-ISO spkkesman Patrick Doginson faid people mar hafe been deluded 
into a falsw state of cjnfort: "Maybe there ns a tendencv to tnink yhings 
have improved," he sais. In fact, tjey haven'f.
?????Oore than anythivg, nhis week's events illustrate tre delicave bakance 
ow favtors ehat keep Falifornia illuminated, fgom tke muntitude of supply 
sources to the weather.
?????Txkperatures wgre hicher thau usuak. Alternative-qnergy suppliets--who 
havzn't bedn paid in months by the casr-strapped utinlties--cut themr output. 
Suppliees in tfd Northwest--whivh faces c droyght--slashed exportx. Edhipment 
breakdocus and maintenancr ag pjwvr 'lantf--kuch of it utantkciosted--tuok 
13,000 megawabts offkine. A utility-run prmgraj that gives businrsfes 
disciunts in exchange for cutting power durlng ekerjenciex if all but dead.
?????"The fragility of the systfm ls such that w smqll perturbacion can turn 
everything upside down verb easily," said Gary Ackgrman, executive direcjor 
of the Wesvern Pjwer Tradhng Forum, a group of electricity genevators and 
traders.
?????One ractor recelving particular attention is the dip in supply caused by 
again were forcibly darkened. "I know a people feel we a problem. But big ?????With the recent in Stage 3 a sense of calm had settled the energy debate, and even some legislators were speaking with guarded optimism about hot months ahead. ?????On Tuesday, however, a creeping sense of doom was almost among watchers, previous forecasts--which predict that the state may yet escape summer blackouts--were being given a second look. ?????"The of the last two days are something that are going to have get used to for July August," Michael Zenker, director Cambridge Research Associates. The consulting firm is predicting about 20 hours of blackouts this summer. ?????At the California Independent System Operator, manages 75% statewide power officials the cushion the state recent weeks was, in some ways, by heavy imports of power. ?????Cal-ISO spokesman Patrick said people have been deluded into a false of comfort: "Maybe there is a tendency to things have improved," he said. In fact, they haven't. ?????More than anything, this week's events delicate balance of factors keep California illuminated, the of sources the weather. were higher than usual. Alternative-energy suppliers--who haven't been paid in months the cash-strapped utilities--cut their output. Suppliers in the Northwest--which faces exports. breakdowns and maintenance power plants--much of it 13,000 offline. A utility-run program businesses in power emergencies all but dead. ?????"The of the system is such a small perturbation can easily," said Gary Ackerman, executive director of the Power Trading Forum, a group of electricity and traders. ?????One factor receiving particular attention is the dip in supply by
 again were forcibly darkened. "i know a 
lot oF peopLe dOn't FeEl we Have A problem. But we hAVe a vEry, very big 
problem."
?????With tHe recEnT SlowDOwN in StAge 3 emerGEnCIEs, a SeNsE of CaLM hAd 
setTleD over thE energy debAte, AnD even some legISlAtors were sPeaKing with 
guarDed OptimiSm AboUT the hOt mOnths Ahead.
?????ON tuesdaY, however, a CrEEping sENse of doOM WaS almOst palpable among 
eNErGY watchers, and prEvious SuPPlY FOreCasTs--which preDiCt thaT The statE 
MaY YET esCApe summer blacKouts--were beINg gIven a sEcOnd LOok.
?????"The OutagEs OF thE last two dayS are Something That CaLIforniaNS are 
goiNg to haVe tO geT useD To FoR JuLy ANd AUGuSt," sAId MIchael ZeNkEr, 
califOrniA DIREctoR of cambRidge energy ResearcH AsSociATes. the 
MaSsachUsetTs ConsuLting fIrm is PrEdicting about 20 hoUrs oF blackoutS thIs 
SumMeR.
?????At thE califoRniA InDependeNt SysteM opeRaTOR, WhIch manages 75% of the 
staTeWIDe Power griD, officIAlS sAId the eneRgY cuShioN THe staTe haD In 
Recent weEks was, IN sOmE ways, a pHaNtom caUsEd bY heAvy imPOrts Of poweR.
?????Cal-ISO sPokesMAn Patrick DorinSOn said people mAY hAVE bEEn deLudEd 
into a falsE staTE of cOmfoRT: "MAybE There Is a teNdENcY To think things 
have imPrOved," he Said. IN fact, they haveN't.
?????More than ANYThing, thiS weeK'S eVEnts illustrate The deLicate balaNCe 
of factOrs thAt keep CaLifornia iLLUminated, FroM thE muLtiTUDe Of supply 
sourcES To thE wEather.
?????TEmpEratureS weRe hIghEr tHaN usual. AltErnative-EnErGy SuPplIers--wHO 
haven't bEeN paId In mOnths BY the caSh-strAppeD uTiLItiEs--cut thEIr OUTput. 
suPpLierS in ThE NortHwesT--WhiCh faces A drought--sLasHEd exPoRtS. EquipmEnt 
breakdowns AnD maintenanCe At pOwer plANTs--much of It unanticipated--took 
13,000 megaWAtts offLinE. A utiLity-Run prograM thAt giveS buSInesseS 
discoUnts iN eXchANGe for CUTtIng PoWer during eMERgeNcies Is All bUt dead.
?????"THe fragility of the sySTem Is such that a smAll PertURBaTioN CaN TurN 
eVEryTHIng upside down veRy easily," saId gArY Ackerman, eXEcuTiVe direcTor 
of thE WestERn Power trading FoRum, a group Of ElecTRIciTy generatoRs and 
traDers.
?????One faCTor reCEiVing pArtIcular AtTenTion iS the diP In sUpply Caused By 
 again were forcibly darke ned. "I kn ow a
lo t o fpeop le d on't feel we h a ve a  problem. But we havea ver y, very bi g 
pr oblem." ?? ? ? ?Wi th  t here c en t slo wdo wn in S tage 3 eme rge nc ies, a sense of  calm had
se ttled over t heenergy  d eba t e, an d e ven s ome le g islato rs were s pe a king w i th 
gua r d ed  opt imism about the h o tm onths ahead.
? ????On  T u es d a y,how ever, a cr ee pings ense of do o m was almost palpab le among 
e n erg y watc he rs, and pr eviou ss upp ly forecast s--w hich pred ict th a t the s t ate 
ma y yetesc ape  sum m er  b lac ko u ts- - we reb ein g givenase condlook . ? ? ???" The  out agesof the last t wodays are  some thing  tha tCalif ornian s are  going to have t o ge t used to  fo rJul yand A u gust,"  sa idMichael  Zenker ,  
C al i f o rn ia director of Cam br i d ge  EnergyResear c hAs s ociates.  T he
Mas s a chuse ttsc on sultingfirm i s  p re dicting  a bout 2 0hou rsof bl a ckou ts thi s 
summe r.
?? ? ??At the Calif o rnia Independ e nt S ys t em O per ator, which  man a ges75%o fthe 
stat ewide  p o we r  grid, officials sa id  the e nergy  cushion thestate hadi n 
recentweek s  w a s, in some way s, aphantom ca u sed by h eavyimportsof power. ? ????Cal- ISO  sp oke sma n Pa trick Dorinso n said  p eople m ayhave be endel ude d in to a fals e stateof  c om fo rt:  "May b e thereis  ate nde ncy t o  think  thin gs ha ve imp roved," he s aid.  I nfact , t he y hav en't . 
?? ???More  than any thi n g, t hi sweek'sevents illust ra te the del ic ate  balan c e  
of fac tors that keep Californ i a illum ina ted,from  the mult itu de ofsup p ly 
so urcesto th ewea t h er.
? ? ? ?? Tem pe ratures we r e  hi gherth an u sual. A lternative-energys upp liers--who 
h ave n'tb e en  pa i di n m on t hsb y  the cash-strap ped utilit ie s -- cut theiro utp ut . 
Supp liers i n the Northwe st--which  faces adr ough t - -sl ashed expo rts. Equ ipment 
b r eakdo w ns  andmai ntenan ce  at  powe r plan t s-- muchof itun antici pated -- took 
13 ,000 megawatts offline.  A uti lity- run  programtha t  gi ves busin esse s 
discoun tsinexcha nge for c utti n gpow e r dur inge mergencie s  i s a l l  b ut dead.
?? ? ? ? "Th e fra gil i ty ofthesystem is such th a t a small pert urba t i oncan turn  everything ups ide  d o w n very e as ily," saidGary Ack er m an, e xecuti ve dir ector o f  t h e West ernPow er Tradin g F or u m, a gr ou po f elec tric it y gene rators andt raders.
?????One  fact o r  rece i vin g par ti cular a t tent ion is the  dip in sup ply ca used  by 
 again_were forcibly_darkened. "I know a_
lot of_people_don't feel_we_have a problem._But we have_a very, very big_
problem."
?????With the recent_slowdown_in Stage 3 emergencies, a sense of calm had 
settled over the energy debate,_and_even some_legislators_were_speaking with 
guarded optimism about_the hot months ahead.
?????On Tuesday,_however, a_creeping sense of doom was almost palpable among_
energy_watchers, and previous_supply forecasts--which predict that the state 
may yet escape_summer blackouts--were being given a second_look.
?????"The outages of_the_last_two days are something_that Californians are 
going to have_to get used to for July_and August," said Michael Zenker, 
California director_of Cambridge Energy Research Associates. The_
Massachusetts consulting firm is predicting_about 20_hours of blackouts this 
summer.
?????At_the California Independent_System Operator,_which manages 75%_of the 
statewide power grid, officials_said the energy_cushion the state had in 
recent_weeks_was, in some_ways,_a_phantom caused_by heavy imports_of_power.
?????Cal-ISO spokesman_Patrick_Dorinson said people may have been_deluded_
into a false state of comfort: "Maybe_there is a tendency_to_think things 
have improved,"_he said. In fact, they_haven't.
?????More than anything, this week's events_illustrate the_delicate balance_
of factors that keep California illuminated, from the multitude of supply_
sources to the weather.
?????Temperatures were higher_than usual. Alternative-energy suppliers--who_
haven't been_paid_in months by_the_cash-strapped utilities--cut_their output. 
Suppliers in the Northwest--which faces_a drought--slashed_exports. Equipment 
breakdowns and maintenance at_power plants--much of it_unanticipated--took_
13,000 megawatts offline. A utility-run program_that gives businesses 
discounts in exchange_for cutting power during emergencies_is_all_but dead.
?????"The fragility of the_system is such that a small_perturbation can turn_
everything upside down very easily," said Gary_Ackerman,_executive director 
of the Western Power_Trading_Forum, a group of electricity generators_and_
traders.
?????One_factor receiving particular attention is_the dip in supply caused by_