Articles

RSS

In the continuing round of lawsuits stemming from California's power crunch, three San Diego area water districts recently filed an action in San Diego Superior Court against 13 power producers seeking injunctive relief and damages for "unjust and unreasonable" electricity prices. The three water districts are the Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the Sweetwater Authority and the Valley Center Municipal Water District.

Best Best & Krieger filed a complaint on behalf of the districts. That complaint alleges power producers, including Enron, Sempra and Duke Energy, engaged in "unlawful, unfair and anti-competitive acts and practices including withholding power for the purpose of creating an artificial shortage of electricity, which has resulted in unjust and unreasonable prices for power."

Padre Dam contends power prices have cost the district more than US$500,000 during the past several months. Padre Dam serves an estimated 134,600 customers in the City of Santee, parts of El Cajon, and the unincorporated areas of Lakeside, Flinn Springs, Harbison Canyon, Blossom Valley, Alpine, Dehesa and Crest.

Sweetwater Authority contends the rates have cost it more than US$1 million during the past several months. Sweetwater Authority provides service to about 175,000 people in National City, Bonita and the western and central portions of Chula Vista in the southern region of San Diego County.

Valley Center said the rates have cost it more than US$1.5 million during the past several months. Valley Center serves about 23,000 people in the communities of Valley Center and north Escondido in the northeastern region of San Diego County.

By April C. Murelio, Managing Editor, Power Online

Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter.

Click for a free Buyer's Guide listing.