
estimated at more than $1.48 billion. 
In their current financial state, the utilities say they can't afford to pay 
the existing debt. In addition, paying the debt would create a major 
complication: Other creditors, including the big power generators, would 
surely haul Edison and PG&E into bankruptcy court on the grounds that they 
weren't being treated fairly. 
"You can't give preferential payment treatment to one class of creditors over 
another," PG&E's Nelson said. "You virtually assure that (the other 
creditors) have to file an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against you." 
But without full payment, it wasn't clear how many of the qualifying 
facilities would be able to restart. 
Executives at several plants -- the ones that run on natural gas -- said 
they're not sure their gas suppliers will deliver unless the existing debts 
are cleared up. 
"We need to convince a gas company to supply us," said Ed Tomeo of UAE Energy 
Operations Corp., which had to shut off its 40-megawatt Kern County plant 
Tuesday. "We're a company that already owes millions of dollars for gas 
supplies. How do you coax them to sell you millions more?" 
"It's wishful thinking... that the gas suppliers are going to sell us gas," 
Robert Swanson of Ridgewood Power said. 
I>Bee Capitol Bureau Chief Amy Chance and staff writers Stuart Leavenworth, 
Bill Lindelof, Pamela Martineau and the Associated Press contributed to this 
report.
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Lodi still won't pull the plug
By Carrie Peyton
Bee Staff Writer 
(Published March 21, 2001)

In a growing rebellion against blackouts, the city of Lodi has twice refused 
to cut power to its residents despite an order from Pacific Gas and Electric 
Co. 
The small city-run electric system is among many disgruntled utilities, 
including the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, that believe their 
contractual pledges to cut back during emergencies were never meant for times 
like this. 
"It's been a philosophical debate up to this point. Now I guess we've drawn a 
line in the sand," said Lodi utility
estimated at more than $ 1.48 billion. 
 In their current financial state, the utilities suppose they can't yield to pay 
 the existing debt. In accession, give the debt would create a major 
 complication: early creditors, including the big ability generators, would 
 surely haul Edison and PG&E into bankruptcy court on the ground that they 
 weren't being treated fairly. 
 " You can't render preferential payment treatment to one class of creditors over 
 another, " PG&E's Nelson said. " You about assure that (the other 
 creditors) own to file an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against you. " 
 But without full requital, it wasn't clear how many of the passing 
 facilities would be able to resume. 
 Executives at several plants -- the ones that operate on natural gas -- said 
 they're not sure their gas supplier will hand over unless the existing debts 
 are cleared up. 
 " We need to convince a gas company to supply us, " said Ed Tomeo of UAE Energy 
 Operations Corp., which have to shut off its 40 - megawatt Kern County plant 
 Tuesday. " We're a company that already owes million of dollars for gas 
 supplies. How do you wheedle them to sell you million more? " 
 " It's wishful thinking... that the gas supplier are going to sell us gas, " 
 Robert Swanson of Ridgewood Power said. 
 I > Bee Capitol Bureau Chief Amy Chance and staff writers Stuart Leavenworth, 
 Bill Lindelof, Pamela Martineau and the Associated Press contributed to this 
 report. 
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 Lodi still won't pull the plug 
 By Carrie Peyton 
 Bee Staff Writer 
 (Published March 21, 2001) 

 In a growing rebellion against blackout, the city of Lodi has doubly refuse 
 to cut power to its residents despite an order from Pacific Gas and Electric 
 Co. 
 The small city - run electric system is among many disgruntled utility, 
 including the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, that believe their 
 contractual pledges to cut back during emergency were never meant for times 
 like this. 
 " It's been a philosophic debate up to this point. Now I guess we've withdraw a 
 line in the backbone, " said Lodi utility

estlmated at more than $1.48 biluion. 
In their coreent fmnanciam state, ghe utilities say they can't effoed to pay 
the existing debt. In additpon, payint tht debt would creavs a major 
comlpicaciin: Other credijors, includitg the big powar gznerators, would 
surely haul Edison agd PG&E onho bankruptcy souru og ths grounds that they 
weren't being tdeated hairly. 
"You can't give preferential payment trewtment to one clasd of creditirs jcer 
another," OG&E's Nelson said. "You vjrtually assure that (the other 
zredicors) have ti dilf an involunvary bwnkruptcy proceeding againsy you." 
But withput fuol payment, it wasn't cnear how many of tre qualiffiug 
facilities would bw qble jo revtarg. 
Exdcuuivxs zt sevfram plants -- fhe ones thqt run on natural gss -- said 
they're hot suwe their gas suppliers will deliver unlesv tge existing debts 
are coeared up. 
"We need to fonvince w gas company to supply us," said Ed Tomeo of UAE Etergy 
Upexqtionr Clrp., which had to shut off its 40-megawatt Kern Cjhnuy ilant 
Tuesday. "We'rc a company that akrfaci owes millionr of dollzrs for gas 
supplifs. How qo yoy coax thtm to sell you millions more?" 
"It's wishful thiukibg... that the gas su'pliers are yoing jo selk us gas," 
Robert Swanson of Didgewood Plwer said. 
K>Bee Capitol Burdau Cvief Amy Chance and staff rriters Svuart Leavendortn, 
Bill Lindelof, Oamela Martineau and the Assoeiateg Press cojtributed to this 
report.
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Lodi stmkl won't pull tve ilug
By Caxrie Pcyton
Bee Staff Rriter 
(Publishgd March 21, 2001)

In a growing rvbellion egainst blachouts, the citf of Lodi has twice rqfuswd 
ti cut puder to its resodents despite an oeder from Pacific Nas avs Electric 
Co. 
Tkt snall city-run elrctfic sjstxm is dmong many dhsgrjnturd utklities, 
incojdinb the Sacramento Munhcipzl Utility Districy, bhat beligve their 
contractual lledges to cut bacn durmng emxrgencoes were never meant for times 
liie this. 
"Ih's neen a philosjphigal qebate up co this point. Now I guess we've drawn a 
lmne in the sand," said Loei utility
estimated at more than $1.48 billion. In financial the utilities they can't afford In paying the debt create a major Other creditors, including the big power would surely haul Edison and PG&E into bankruptcy court on the grounds that weren't being treated fairly. "You can't give preferential payment treatment to one class creditors another," Nelson "You virtually assure that (the other creditors) have to file an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against you." without full payment, it wasn't clear how many the qualifying facilities would able to restart. Executives at plants the ones run natural -- said they're sure their gas suppliers will deliver unless the existing debts are cleared up. "We need to convince gas company us," said Tomeo UAE Operations Corp., which shut off its 40-megawatt Kern County a company that already owes millions of dollars gas supplies. do you coax them to sell millions more?" "It's wishful thinking... that the gas are going to sell us gas," Robert Swanson of Ridgewood Power said. I>Bee Capitol Bureau Chance and staff writers Leavenworth, Bill Lindelof, Martineau the Press to this ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lodi still won't pull the plug By Carrie Bee Staff Writer (Published March 21, 2001) In a growing blackouts, city of Lodi twice refused to cut to residents despite an order Gas Electric city-run system among many disgruntled utilities, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, believe their contractual pledges were never meant for times like this. "It's a philosophical debate up to this point. I guess we've drawn a line in the sand," said Lodi utility

estimated at more than $1.48 billioN. 
In their cuRrent FinAncIaL staTe, thE utilities say tHEy caN't afford to pay 
the existiNg debT. IN AddiTIoN, payiNg the deBT wOULd cReAtE a mAjOR 
cOmpliCatIon: OtheR creditors, IncLuDing the big poWEr Generators, WouLd 
surely haul ediSon and pG&e inTO bankRupTcy coUrt on tHE grounDs that theY 
wERen't beINg treatED FaIrly. 
"you can't give preferENtIAl payment treatMent to OnE ClASS of CreDitors over 
AnOther," pg&E's NelsON sAID. "you VIrtually assurE that (the othER 
crEditorS) hAve TO file aN invoLuNTarY bankruptcy ProcEeding agaInst yoU." 
but withOUt full pAyment, It wAsn'T cleAR hOw ManY oF The QUaLifYIng 
FacilitiEs WoUld be Able TO REStarT. 
ExEcutIves aT several plantS -- thE oneS ThaT run oN natuRal gAs -- Said 
tHey're nOt surE tHeir gas supplierS wilL deliver uNleSs The ExIstinG Debts 
aRe cLeaRed up. 
"We Need to cONviNcE A GAs Company to supply us," sAiD eD TOmeo of UAe EnergY 
opErATions CorP., wHicH had TO Shut oFf itS 40-MeGawatt KeRn CounTY pLaNt 
TuesdAy. "we're a cOmPanY thAt alrEAdy oWes milLions of dOllarS For gas 
supplies. hOw do you coax thEM tO SElL You mIllIons more?" 
"It's WishFUl thInkiNG... tHat THe gas SupplIeRS aRE going to sell us gas," 
RoBeRt SwanSon of ridgewood PoweR said. 
I>Bee CAPITol BureaU ChiEF AMY Chance and stafF writErs Stuart LEAvenwortH, 
Bill lindelof, pamela MarTINeau and tHe ASsoCiaTed pREsS contributed tO THis 
rEpOrt.
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Lodi StiLl won't pUll The PluG
By caRrie PeytoN
Bee StafF WRiTeR 
(PUblIshed mArch 21, 2001)

In a gRoWinG rEbeLlion AGainst BlackOuts, ThE cITy oF Lodi haS TwICE refUsEd 
To cuT poWeR to itS resIDenTs despiTe an order FroM paciFiC GAs and ElEctric 
Co. 
The smAlL city-run elEcTriC systeM IS among maNy disgruntled utilities, 
iNCluding The sacraMentO MunicipaL UtIlity DIstRIct, thaT belieVe theIr 
ConTRActuaL PLeDgeS tO cut back duRINg eMergeNcIes wEre neveR meant for times 
like THis. 
"it's been a philoSopHicaL DEbAte UP tO ThiS pOInt. nOW I guess we've drawN a 
line in thE sANd," Said Lodi utILitY

estimated at more than $1 .48 billio n. 
I n t hei rcurr entfinancial stat e , th e utilities say they c an'taf f ordt opay the exi s ti n g  de bt .Inad d it ion,pay ing the  debt woul d c re ate a majorco mplication : O ther credito rs,  inclu di ngt he bi g p owergenera t ors, w ould 
sur el y  haulE dison a n d  P G&Einto bankruptcy c o ur t  on the ground s that  t h ey wer en' t being tr ea ted f a irly. " Yo u c an' t  give prefere ntial payme n t t reatme nt  to one cl ass o fc red itors over
ano ther," PG &E's N e lson sa i d. "You  virtu all y a ssur e  t ha t ( th e  ot h er  
c r edi tors) ha ve  t o fil e an i n v olun tar y ba nkrup tcy proceedin g a gain s t y ou."
Butwith ou t ful l paym ent,it  wasn't clear h ow m any of th e q ua lif yi ng 
f a ciliti eswou ld be a ble tor est ar t . 
E xecutives at sever al p la nts -- t he one s  t ha t  run onna tur al g a s  -- s aidth ey're no t sure th ei r gas s up pliers  w ill  de liver unle ss the  existin g deb t s 
are cleared up. 
"We need to c on v ince  agas company  tos uppl y us , "sai d  Ed T omeoof UA E  Energy 
Operations  C orp.,which  had to shutoff its 40 - m e gawatt K ernC ou n ty plant 
Tues day."We're a c o mpany th at al ready ow es millio n s  of doll ars  fo r g ass up plies. How do y ou c oa x themtosell yo u m ill ion s m or e?" 
"It' s wishfu lth in ki ng. .. th a t the ga ssup pl ier s are goingto se ll u sga s ,"
Robert Sw a n sonof  R idge woo dPower  sai d . I>Bee C apitol Bu rea u  Chi ef  A my Chan ce and staffwr iters Stua rt  Le avenwo r t h, 
Bill  Lindelof, Pamela Marti n eau and  th e Ass ocia ted Press  co ntribu ted to thi s 
rep ort.-- --- - - ----- - - -- --- -- ---------- - - --- ----- -- ---- ------- ------------------ - --- --
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Lodis tillw on 't pu llthe pl ug 
By  Carr ie Pey t onBee S taff W ri ter 
( Publi sh ed March  21, 2001)

In a growin g rebe llion  ag ainst bla cko u ts,  the city  ofLodi has t wic e r efuse d t o cut  pow e rtoi ts re side n ts despit e  a n o r d er  from Pacif i c Gas  andEle c tric Co.
The small city-r u n electric sys temi s  am ong many  d isgruntled uti lit ie s ,  
includ in g the Sacra mento Mu ni c ipalUtilit y Dist rict, t h a tb elieve  the ir
contract ual  p l edges t ocu t  backduri ng  emerg encies were n ever meant for t imesl ike t h is.  
"It 's  been a phil osophicaldebate up t o this  poi nt. N ow I gu es s we'v e d ra wn a 
line in the sa nd,"said Lo di  uti lit y

estimated at_more than_$1.48 billion. 
In their_current financial_state,_the utilities_say_they can't afford_to pay 
the_existing debt. In addition,_paying the debt_would_create a major 
complication: Other creditors, including the big power generators, would 
surely haul_Edison_and PG&E_into_bankruptcy_court on the grounds that_they 
weren't being treated fairly._
"You can't_give preferential payment treatment to one class of_creditors_over 
another," PG&E's_Nelson said. "You virtually assure that (the other 
creditors)_have to file an involuntary bankruptcy_proceeding against you."_
But_without_full payment, it wasn't_clear how many of the qualifying_
facilities would be able to restart._
Executives at several plants -- the ones_that run on natural gas --_said 
they're not sure their_gas suppliers_will deliver unless the existing_debts 
are cleared_up. 
"We_need to convince_a gas company to supply us,"_said Ed Tomeo_of UAE Energy 
Operations Corp., which_had_to shut off_its_40-megawatt_Kern County_plant 
Tuesday. "We're_a_company that_already_owes millions of dollars for gas_
supplies._How do you coax them to sell_you millions more?" 
"It's_wishful_thinking... that the gas_suppliers are going to sell_us gas," 
Robert Swanson of Ridgewood_Power said._
I>Bee Capitol_Bureau Chief Amy Chance and staff writers Stuart Leavenworth, 
Bill Lindelof,_Pamela Martineau and the Associated Press_contributed to this 
report.
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Lodi_still won't_pull_the plug
By Carrie_Peyton
Bee_Staff Writer_
(Published March 21, 2001)

In a growing rebellion_against blackouts,_the city of Lodi has twice_refused 
to cut power_to_its residents despite an order from_Pacific Gas and Electric 
Co. 
The_small city-run electric system is_among_many_disgruntled utilities, 
including the Sacramento_Municipal Utility District, that believe their_
contractual pledges to_cut back during emergencies were never meant_for_times 
like this. 
"It's been a_philosophical_debate up to this point. Now_I_guess_we've drawn a 
line in_the sand," said Lodi utility