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Enron Mail |
Moveon.org, a group that positions itself as an internet based consumer
watchdog, has mounted a campaign in support of the Federal Energy Reliability and Stability Act of 2001. The campaign takes direct aim at enron, dynegy and other companies. Have a look at their website, at http://www.moveon.org/priceshocked/index.html. In the meantime, here's a copy of a mass, unsolicited email that someone at our PR Firm in NY (ss+k) received from moveon.org (see below). ---- Date: 4/24/01 5:01 PM From: Wes Boyd, MoveOn.Org Dear Friend of MoveOn, Energy prices are skyrocketing across the nation, yet Washington is doing nothing. Energy producers are taking huge windfall profits. Consumers and taxpayers are given the shaft. Enough is enough. Join our citizens' campaign by sending an instant email to your representatives in Washington. Go to: http://www.moveon.org/priceshocked/index.html The energy markets are controlled by a small number of companies -- Enron, Duke, Dynegy, Reliant, etc -- which supply local utilities throughout the country with gas and power. These companies are so big, they are more like monopolies than players in a price-competitive market. Their irresponsible behavior calls for a strong federal hand. In California alone, these companies and their affiliates have already overcharged by more than $6.3 billion (1). If nothing is done, the number is expected to rise to as much as $70 billion (2). That's $2,000 for every man, woman, and child in the state. This may be the biggest scam ever to hit the U.S. -- potentially dwarfing the Savings and Loan mess of the 80s. Yet FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Bush administration are taking no action. A new bill sponsored by Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Smith (R-OR), and Lieberman (D-CT), would direct FERC to set temporary "cost-plus" rates allowing wholesalers to charge a reasonable rate of profit, not the excessive premiums they are now charging. Join us in voicing your support for this important bill at: http://www.moveon.org/priceshocked/index.html Thank you for your help. And pass on the word. We cannot let this go unchallenged. Sincerely, -Wes Boyd MoveOn.org ___________ P.S. Beware myths spread by the energy lobby. Here are two corrections: - Rising demand in California HAS NOT created the problem. California's monthly peak electricity demand actually declined in July, August, October, and December of 2000 relative to the same months in 1999 (4). - More drilling and relaxed environmental standards ARE NOT the answer. Opening new domestic supplies takes decades and only adds months of additional supply (5). Increased efficiency, immediate investment in renewables, and market stabilization are the only short term answers. Sources: (1) California Independent Systems Operator, http://www.caiso.com/ (2) A range of $50-70 billion is cited in "No Time for Lectures," LA times, April 18th, 2001, http://www.latimes.com/news/comment/20010418/t000032667.html (3) Severin Borenstein, Director of Univ. Cal. Energy Institute (4) California Independent System Operator cited in "Special Report: The California Energy Crisis" (Page 1) at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/ (5) U.S. Geological Survey, as cited by Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/arctic.asp __________ This is a message from MoveOn.org If you wish to remove yourself from this list, please visit our subscription management page at http://www.moveon.org/subscrip/i.html?id=140-102126-Oien2IT7gEvnW0QfXYP3ww -- Jonathan Kopp jkopp@ssk.com SS+K Shepardson Stern and Kaminsky 568 Broadway New York, NY 10012 O: 212.419.3355 F: 212.419.3369
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