As governor, Pete Wilson also championed the cause of deregulation in the California electricity market. He succeeded when the California legislature, in 1996, passed a law requiring utility companies to purchase electricity on the market, rather than signing long-term contracts. In 2003, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission blamed the deregulation and poor control of the market for the energy crisis that occurred in California from 2000-2001. | As governor, Pete Wilson also championed the cause of deregulation in the California electricity market. He succeeded when the California legislature, in 1996, passed a law requiring utility companies to purchase electricity on the market, rather than signing long-term contracts. In 2003, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission blamed the deregulation and poor control of the market for the energy crisis that occurred in California from 2000-2001. |