Hard to Find Experts Without Conflicts

Recent news of conflicts of interest in Gov. Gray Davis’ power staff is good reading (“5 State Energy Advisors Fired Over Conflicts,” July 28). However, to find expertise in power without conflicts is difficult. Furthermore, any appointees will have conflicts as consumers.

Did Davis’ Public Utilities Commission deny the applications of the utilities in early 2000 for permission to make long-term contracts and thereafter require the utilities to sell electricity for less than they paid for it because of conflicts or lack of expertise? Why, 10 months later, when wholesale electricity prices more than quadrupled, did the state make long-term contracts?

News items claim that the state made long-term contracts on behalf of the utilities and should not bail utilities out. The facts are that inept but politically expedient regulation by the state broke the utilities, the state owes them a great deal and there are no signs that the state even knows how stupid its decisions have been. Let us be thankful that deregulation (for which former Gov. Pete Wilson is criticized) led to four power plant permits--which took over three years--and building nearly two years. And Davis seeks credit for those plants!

Roy B. Woolsey

Newport Beach

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After reading the article, I am wondering if Davis’ senior advisors/handlers are: 1) ethically challenged; 2) think they are fooling the public; 3) just plain stupid; or 4) all of the above.

Frank Feiler

Encino