Energy Western United States

Power producers throughout the West refused Wednesday to ship electricity to California, prompting U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson to threaten them with federal intervention to avoid rolling blackouts across the state. Shortly after Richardson's rare move, electricity began flowing into California from producers in the Northwest and elsewhere--avoiding power shutdowns in a week of close calls.

Four months ago, when Californians first asked the Bush administration to cap the soaring price of electricity, the answer was a flat no. Two months ago, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission imposed "soft" price controls in power emergencies, Vice President Dick Cheney denounced the decision as "counterproductive." But on Monday, even before FERC expanded its price regulation to apply 24 hours a day, President Bush was sounding a new, more flexible note.

Four months ago, when Californians first asked the Bush administration to cap the soaring price of electricity, the answer was a flat no. Two months ago, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission imposed "soft" price controls in power emergencies, Vice President Dick Cheney denounced the decision as "counterproductive." But on Monday, even before FERC expanded its price regulation to apply 24 hours a day, President Bush was sounding a new, more flexible note.

Recent spikes in power prices have prompted several hotel chains in the Western United States to tack on an electricity surcharge rather than turn down the heat or lights. Marriott International Inc. is charging an extra $2.50 per night at some hotels in California, and Hilton Hotels Corp. is considering similar surcharges. Marriott has even added the surcharge at hotels that haven't yet been affected by higher power costs in order to cushion anticipated price increases.

For more than a century, California ran a simple account with the rest of the West: It demanded and the West supplied, most especially water and power. But as the Western states have ballooned in the last decade--in no small part because of an outbound trek of Californians--this simple, supply-demand relationship has broken down. Fundamentally, the rest of the West has outgrown its electrical system just as California has its own.

Recent spikes in power prices have prompted several hotel chains in the Western United States to tack on an electricity surcharge rather than turn down the heat or lights. Marriott International Inc. is charging an extra $2.50 per night at some hotels in California, and Hilton Hotels Corp. is considering similar surcharges. Marriott has even added the surcharge at hotels that haven't yet been affected by higher power costs in order to cushion anticipated price increases.

With most of the West clamoring for energy generated on the massive Pacific Northwest hydropower system, the Clinton administration Thursday launched a $352-million-a-year plan for recovering salmon, which does not rule out taking down dams to halt the fish's plunge toward extinction.

For more than a century, California ran a simple account with the rest of the West: It demanded and the West supplied, most especially water and power. But as the Western states have ballooned in the last decade--in no small part because of an outbound trek of Californians--this simple, supply-demand relationship has broken down. Fundamentally, the rest of the West has outgrown its electrical system just as California has its own.

With most of the West clamoring for energy generated on the massive Pacific Northwest hydropower system, the Clinton administration Thursday launched a $352-million-a-year plan for recovering salmon, which does not rule out taking down dams to halt the fish's plunge toward extinction.

Power producers throughout the West refused Wednesday to ship electricity to California, prompting U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson to threaten them with federal intervention to avoid rolling blackouts across the state. Shortly after Richardson's rare move, electricity began flowing into California from producers in the Northwest and elsewhere--avoiding power shutdowns in a week of close calls.