Nevada senator calls for resignation of two FERC appointees

[Kadie]

Nevada senator calls for resignation of two FERC appointees

The Associated Press
Last Updated: July 20, 2004, 10:05:21 AM PDT


LAS VEGAS (AP) - Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is calling for the resignation of two federal energy regulators, saying they've failed to protect consumers from market manipulations by Enron Corp. officials who backed their appointment.

Reid said in a Senate speech Monday that if the four-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission doesn't act soon to vacate inflated contracts that utilities signed with Enron during the 2000-01 Western energy crisis, two commissioners who were favored by the collapsed energy trading firm should quit.

"We know that two of the FERC commissioners were recommended by Ken Lay," Reid said, referring to the former Enron chief executive indicted last week on charges he hid losses and debt problems at the Houston company. Lay has declared his innocence on the charges.

Patrick Wood, a member of the Texas Public Utility Commission, and Nora Brownell, a state utility commissioner in Pennsylvania, were appointed to FERC after Lay, a friend and Bush campaign contributor, recommended them to the incoming administration in January and February of 2001.

more... http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/8873673p-9763349c.html

[maddezmom]

1. way to go Harry

:)

[donkeyotay]

2. seems like Republican obstruction of justice

Back in 2001, when this administration was blaming the California energy crisis on environmentalists and such, Pat Wood said there was NO EVIDENCE of market manipulation. Now that Sen. Cantwell has publicized the Enron tapes obtained by a Washington utility's court case, we know that this is not true; FERC did have evidence.

Isn't anyone going to hold Republicans accountable for abetting other party members in committing crimes?

[mom cat]

3. Yup. We are! And a great big welcome to DU!

:hi: :dem:

[donkeyotay]

4. thanks for the welcome

But does anyone care what we think? :)

[JDPriestly]

5. Thanks.

Great news.

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

:kick: