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Calif. Lifts Low-Level Power Alert by Associated Press CBS MarketWatch, February 22, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- California lifted all power alerts Thursday for the first time in nearly six weeks, thanks to the availability of more imported electricity and the return to service of plants that had been down for repairs.

California had been under a power alert of one level or another since Jan. 13 because of dwindling reserves of electricity. For one 32-day stretch that ended over the weekend, the state was at Stage 3, the highest level of alert, when reserves are so low that blackouts are possible.

The state started the day Thursday at Stage 1, the lowest level. That was lifted when reserves reached a comfortable level.

The crisis eased over the past few days after several power plants that were down for repairs came back on line.

The California Department of Water Resources, which has been buying power for the state's nearly bankrupt utilities, has also been able to buy more energy in advance, said Terry Winter, chief executive of the Independent System Operator, keeper of the state's power grid.

Meanwhile, state officials' fears that natural gas supplies in Northern California would be depleted by the end of February eased because more suppliers have agreed to deliver gas to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PCG: news, msgs) .

At the state Capitol, lawmakers worked on bills they hope will result in more power plants for California. One bill would require local governments where more power is needed to find sites for new power plants. The other would speed up state approval for renovating old plants.

A federal judge is expected to decide Friday whether wholesalers can be forced to sell to the power grid even without a creditworthy buyer. A temporary order requiring three suppliers to keep selling power expires Friday.