posted on May 17, 2001 12:25:41 PM new
And notice that he's allowing them to bring on a nationwide crisis.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - California Gov. Gray Davis (news
- web sites), whose state has borne the brunt of the unfolding U.S.
power crisis, has urged President George Bush to stand up to his
profit-making ``friends in the energy business'' when he unveils his
energy strategy on Thursday.
Davis, speaking one day before Bush was due to announce the recommendations of his energy task
force, said California's energy predicament was caused in large part by corporate greed and would
spread to other parts of the country if left unchecked.
``What's going on here, pure and simple, is unconscionable price-gouging and market manipulation by the big energy producers and marketers -- most of them, incidentally, located in Texas,'' Davis said in a
statement.
``Mr President, runaway energy prices are not just a California problem. With all due respect, I once
again urge you to stand up to your friends in the energy business and exercise the federal government's
responsibility to ensure energy prices are just and reasonable.''
