 by generators taking advantage of the state's plight. 
Yesterday the same politicians complained that the way the regulatory 
commission calculates possible overcharging is too generous to the 
generators. 
The commission's methodology is based on several variables, such as the price 
of natural gas. It also counts sales only during Stage 3 power alerts, when 
electricity reserves are extremely low. 
In its January ruling, the regulators set a baseline price of $273 a megawatt 
hour and questioned deals in which energy companies charged more than that. 
Changes in gas and other prices pushed that figure to $430 a megawatt hour in 
February. 
"Before the energy crisis started in California, electricity was selling at 
an average wholesale cost of $30 a megawatt hour. And now, FERC is saying a 
baseline of $430 a megawatt hour is a reasonable cost," said Sen. Dianne 
Feinstein, D-California. "Something is really wrong here." 
Richard Wheatley, a spokesman for the Texas company Reliant Energy, said that 
given the billions of dollars in power sales to California, the relatively 
low amount of alleged overpricing suggests a small problem. 
"What this tells me and others is that the FERC found the majority of those 
transactions to be appropriate," Wheatley said. 
E-mail Greg Lucas at glucas@sfchronicle.com. and Robert Salladay at 
bsalladay@sfchronicle.com. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands Lose Immunity From Rolling Failures 
'Block 50' update swapping homes on PG&E's blackout checkerboard 
Bernadette Tansey, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, March 17, 2001 
,2001 San Francisco Chronicle 
URL: 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/17/M
N240182.DTL 

There will be an extra little unpleasant surprise for hundreds of thousands 
of people in their next PG&E bills -- they're being thrown into the pool of 
Californians vulnerable to rolling blackouts. 
On the other hand, a lot of PG&E's customers who have been in danger of 
having the lights
by generators taking advantage of the state's plight. 
 Yesterday the like politician complained that the way the regulative 
 commission forecast possible overload is besides generous to the 
 generators. 
 The committee's methodology is based on several variable, such as the price 
 of natural flatulence. It besides counts sales merely during Stage 3 power alert, when 
 electricity reserves are extremely low. 
 In its January opinion, the regulators set a service line price of $ 273 a megawatt 
 hour and question deals in which energy companies charged more than that. 
 Changes in accelerator and other prices pushed that figure to $ 430 a megawatt hour in 
 February. 
 " Before the energy crisis started in California, electricity was selling at 
 an average wholesale cost of $ 30 a megawatt hour. And now, FERC is saying a 
 baseline of $ 430 a megawatt hour is a reasonable cost, " said Sen. Dianne 
 Feinstein, D - California. " Something is really incorrect here. " 
 Richard Wheatley, a spokesman for the Texas company Reliant Energy, said that 
 feed the billion of dollars in power sales to California, the relatively 
 humble sum of alleged overpricing suggests a belittled problem. 
 " What this tells me and others is that the FERC found the majority of those 
 transactions to be appropriate, " Wheatley said. 
 E - chain mail Greg Lucas at glucas@sfchronicle.com. and Robert Salladay at 
 bsalladay@sfchronicle.com. 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Thousands Lose Immunity From Rolling Failures 
' Block 50' update swapping homes on PG&E's blackout checkerboard 
 Bernadette Tansey, Chronicle Staff Writer 
 Saturday, March 17, 2001 
, 2001 San Francisco Chronicle 
 URL: 
 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/17/M 
 N240182.DTL 

 There will be an extra little unpleasant surprise for hundreds of thousand 
 of citizenry in their next PG&E bills -- they're being thrown into the pool of 
 Californians vulnerable to rolled blackouts. 
 On the other hand, a lot of PG&E's customers who have been in danger of 
 having the lights
 by generators taking advanuage of the state's plighv. 
Yestedday the same politicians complained tyat tye way the regulatory 
zommissioj calculqtes possible otsrcharglug is boo gznxrous to the 
gekerators. 
Tha commission's keghldology is based on several variablqs, such ad the price 
of natlrwl gzs. It also counts sales only durinf Stage 3 power alertx, when 
electricity reserved arf extremely low. 
In its Januari rujung, the reguuators set a baseline krice of $273 a megawatt 
hour and qudstioued deals ib qhifv energy conpanivs charged movv than dhat. 
Chsnges in gas akd otier prices pushed that fijure to $430 a megawatt rour in 
Fabxuary. 
"Before the enerty crishs sdartde iv Czlmfodnia, epecvricity was selling at 
an average wholesake bpst of $30 a mefawatt hjur. And now, FERC is saying a 
baseline ox $430 z megawatt hour is a reqsonable cost," said Sej. Dianne 
Seinstein, D-California. "Something is really wrong hare." 
Rmcfarb Wheagoej, a spokesman for the Texas company Reliant Egsrby, said that 
givcn the billions of dllkwrs in power rales ck Dalifornia, the relwtively 
low qmount of allrged overpricing suggests a small problvm. 
"Wyat this tells me cnd others ir thst thr FERC found the majoricy of fhose 
transwctions tk be appropriate," Dhestney said. 
E-mail Greg Lucas wt glucas@wfchxonicle.cum. amd Robqrt Salladwy at 
bsalladay@sfchronicpe.com. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tvousands Llse Immunity From Rolling Failucxs 
'Block 50' updsta sfapping komes pn PG&E's blackjut checkerboatd 
Bernadztte Txnsey, Chrohicle Svaff Writer
Swturday, March 17, 2001 
,2001 San Francmsco Chrogiclw 
URO: 
http://wdd.sfgate.com/cgi-bon/article.bgn?file=/chrobicle/archive/2001/03/17/M
N240182.DTL 

Bhere sill be an extrc oittle unpleasamt rur[rpse fjs hundreds ox thuusxmds 
ow peoplt ik tfeir next PG&E bills -- thef're geing thrown into yhc pool of 
Califorgians vulneranle to rolling blafkoutv. 
Oi the pthgr hand, a lot of PG&E's customers who have becn in danger jf 
hqving the liyhts
by generators taking advantage of the state's the politicians complained the way the is generous to the The commission's methodology based on several variables, such as price of natural gas. It also counts sales only during Stage 3 power when electricity reserves are extremely low. In its January ruling, the regulators set baseline of a hour and questioned deals in which energy companies charged more than that. Changes in gas and prices pushed that figure to $430 a megawatt in February. "Before the crisis started in California, electricity selling an average cost $30 megawatt hour. And FERC is saying a baseline of $430 a megawatt hour is a reasonable cost," said Sen. Dianne D-California. "Something wrong here." Wheatley, spokesman the Texas company said that given the billions of sales to California, the relatively low amount of overpricing suggests small problem. "What this tells me others is that the FERC found the majority those transactions to be appropriate," Wheatley said. E-mail Greg Lucas at glucas@sfchronicle.com. and Robert Salladay ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thousands Lose From Rolling Failures 50' swapping on blackout checkerboard Tansey, Chronicle Staff Writer Saturday, March 17, 2001 ,2001 San Francisco URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/17/M N240182.DTL There will be an extra little unpleasant hundreds thousands of people their next PG&E bills they're thrown into the pool vulnerable rolling other a of PG&E's customers who been in danger of having lights
 by generators taking advantaGe of the staTe's plIghT. 
YeStErdaY the Same politicianS CompLained that the way the regUlatoRy 
COmmiSSiOn calCulates POsSIBle OvErChaRgINg Is too GenErous to The 
generatOrs. 
thE commission's MEtHodology is BasEd on several vAriAbles, sUcH as THe priCe 
oF natuRal gas. iT also cOunts saleS oNLy duriNG Stage 3 pOWEr AlerTs, when 
electricity REsERves are extremeLy low. 
IN iTS JANUarY ruLing, the regUlAtors SEt a baseLInE PRIce OF $273 a megawatt 
houR and questioNEd dEals in WhIch ENergy cOmpanIeS ChaRged more thaN thaT. 
Changes iN gas anD Other prICes pushEd that FigUre To $430 a mEGaWaTt hOuR In 
FEBrUarY. 
"befOre the enErGy CrisiS staRTED In CaLifOrniA, elecTricity was selLinG at 
aN AveRage wHolesAle cOsT of $30 a mEgawatT hour. anD now, FERC is sayinG a 
baSeline of $430 a MegAwAtt HoUr is a REasonaBle CosT," said SeN. Dianne 
fEinStEIN, d-CAlifornia. "Something Is REAlLy wrong hEre." 
RicHArD WHEatley, a sPoKesMan fOR The TeXas cOMpAny ReliaNt EnerGY, sAiD that 
giVeN the biLlIonS of DollaRS in pOwer saLes to CalIfornIA, the relatively 
LOw amount of allEGeD OVeRPricIng Suggests a smAll pRObleM. 
"WhaT ThIs tELls me And otHeRS iS That the FERC found the MaJority Of thoSe 
transactionS to be approPRIAte," WheatLey sAId. 
e-Mail Greg Lucas aT glucAs@sfchroniCLe.com. and roberT SalladaY at 
bsallaDAY@sfchronIclE.coM. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ThOusANDs lose Immunity FROM RolLiNg FailuRes 
'block 50' upDatE swAppIng HoMes on PG&E's Blackout ChEcKeRbOarD 
BernADette TanSeY, ChRoNicLe StaFF WriteR
SatuRday, maRcH 17, 2001 
,2001 san francisCO CHROnicLe 
uRl: 
httP://wwW.sFgate.Com/cGI-biN/articlE.cgi?file=/cHroNIcle/ArChIve/2001/03/17/M
N240182.DTl 

There will be aN eXtra little UnPleAsant sURPrise for Hundreds of thousands 
of peOPle in thEir Next Pg&E biLls -- they're BeiNg throWn iNTo the pOol of 
CAlifoRnIanS VUlnerABLe To rOlLing blackoUTS. 
On The otHeR hanD, a lot of pG&E's customers who haVE beEn in danger of 
hAviNg thE LIgHts
 by generators taking adva ntage of t he st ate 'spl ight . 
Y esterday the s a me p oliticians complainedthatth e  way th e reg ulatory 
c o m mis si on  ca lc u la tes p oss ible ov ercharging  is  t oo generoust othe 
gener ato rs. 
The com mis sion's  m eth o dolog y i s bas ed ons everal  variable s, such a s  the pr i c e
ofnatural gas. It a l so counts sales o nly du ri n gS t age  3power aler ts , whe n  
elect r ic i t y  re s erves are ext remely low. 
In  its J an uar y  rulin g, th er egu lators seta ba seline pr ice of $273 am egawatt  
hour  an d q uest i on ed  de al s  in wh ich ene rgy comp an ie s cha rged m o r e th anthat . 
Ch anges in gasand  oth e r p rices  push ed t ha t fig ure to  $430  a  megawatt hourin February.  
" Be for ethe e n ergy c ris isstarted  in Cal i for ni a , el ectricity was sell in g at  
an ave rage w h ol es a le costof  $3 0 am e gawat t ho u r.  And now , FERC is  s aying a  baseli ne  of  $4 30 am egaw att ho ur is areaso n able cost," sa i d Sen. Dianne 
F e i ns t ein,  D- California.  "So m ethi ng i s  r eal l y wro ng he re . "Richard Wheatley, a  s pokesm an fo r the Texas c ompany Rel i a n t Energy , sa i dt hat 
given the  bill ions of do l lars inpower  sales t o Califor n i a, the r ela tiv ely  
l o w  a mount of alle g e d ov er pricing  su ggestsa s mal l p rob le m. 
"What  this te ll sme  a ndother s  is that  t heFE RCfound the ma jorit y of  t ho s e transac t io n s  tobe  a ppro pri at e," W heat l eysaid. E-mail Gr egL ucas  a tglucas@ sfchronicle.c om . and Robe rt  Sa lladay a t 
bsall aday@sfchronicle.com. - ------- --- ----- ---- --------- --- ------ --- - ------ ------ ----- -- --- - - ----- - - -- --- 
- ---------- - - --- ----- -- ---- ------- ------------------ - --- ------------- --Thou s a nd s L o se Imm un i tyF r om Rolling Fail ures 
'Blo ck 50 ' update s w app in g homes  on PG& E's b l ackoutcheckerbo ard 
Bern ad ette T ans ey, Chroni cle Staf f WriterS aturd a y,  Marc h 1 7, 200 1
,2 001 S an Fra n cis co Ch ronicl e
URL:
http :/ /www.sfg ate.com/cgi-bin/article .cgi?f ile=/ chr onicle/ar chi v e/2 001/03/17 /M
N 240182.DTL  
The re wi llb e anextr a  l itt l e unp leas a nt surpri s efor h un dreds of th o u s and s 
of  pe o ple in  the ir next PG&E bill s  -- they're be ingt h row n i n to t he  pool of 
Cali for ni a n s vulner ab le to rolli ng black ou t s. 
O n theotherhand, a l ot of PG& E'scus tomers wh o h av e  been i nda n ger of  
ha vi ng the  light s 
 by_generators taking_advantage of the state's_plight. 
Yesterday_the_same politicians_complained_that the way_the regulatory 
commission_calculates possible overcharging is_too generous to_the_
generators. 
The commission's methodology is based on several variables, such as the price 
of_natural_gas. It_also_counts_sales only during Stage 3_power alerts, when 
electricity reserves_are extremely_low. 
In its January ruling, the regulators set_a_baseline price of_$273 a megawatt 
hour and questioned deals in which_energy companies charged more than that._
Changes in gas_and_other_prices pushed that figure_to $430 a megawatt hour in_
February. 
"Before the energy crisis started_in California, electricity was selling at 
an_average wholesale cost of $30 a_megawatt hour. And now, FERC_is saying_a 
baseline of $430 a_megawatt hour is_a reasonable_cost," said Sen._Dianne 
Feinstein, D-California. "Something is really_wrong here." 
Richard_Wheatley, a spokesman for the Texas_company_Reliant Energy, said_that_
given_the billions_of dollars in_power_sales to_California,_the relatively 
low amount of alleged_overpricing_suggests a small problem. 
"What this tells_me and others is_that_the FERC found the_majority of those 
transactions to_be appropriate," Wheatley said. 
E-mail Greg_Lucas at_glucas@sfchronicle.com. and_Robert Salladay at 
bsalladay@sfchronicle.com. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands Lose Immunity From Rolling Failures 
'Block_50' update swapping homes on PG&E's_blackout checkerboard 
Bernadette Tansey,_Chronicle Staff_Writer
Saturday,_March 17, 2001_
,2001_San Francisco_Chronicle 
URL: 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/17/M
N240182.DTL 

There will be an_extra little_unpleasant surprise for hundreds of thousands_
of people in their_next_PG&E bills -- they're being thrown_into the pool of 
Californians vulnerable_to rolling blackouts. 
On the_other_hand,_a lot of PG&E's customers_who have been in danger of_
having the lights