Subject: california update 6 / 12 / 01
confidential information
? one of our source has reported that socal has started to " ring - fence some assets . " as reported earlier , this is a sign that they are starting to protect themselves in case of a bankruptcy . pg & e started this activity a week prior to their announcement of involuntary bankruptcy . as the mou and other plan bs fall apart , the chances of a socal bankruptcy increases .
the following information was provided by a source who meet with senior white house members earlier today :
price caps
? the white house is taking an extremely tough line on price caps . they are well aware of the congressional pressure on price caps but are determined to resist .
california
? they feel davis made a serious blunder when he initiated a court case against price caps . they commented , " he ' ll lose it , and he ' s made it the court ' s doing , not the administrations . " the white house is not considering , at this time , any type of relief orders for the northwest .
? they do believe the existing price mitigation plan is working , " to some extent . "
? the white house believes socal is very close to bankruptcy , it is just a matter of time .
ferc
? the white house is not thinking of replacing hebert as chairman of ferc . their response was , " why would we ? wood toes the same line so why bother changing . "