Generator Refunds: Balance Due

Re “California May Not Deserve Utility Refund, Referee Says,” July 10: Federal mediator Curtis L. Wagner opined that California’s claims against out-of-state electricity providers and marketers should be balanced against unpaid debts.

Oh, absolutely! Let us seize their assets, add up the fair cost before the manufactured crisis, plus what is owed to them. Then subtract. Overcharges since last spring, check. Calculated cost of personal and business bankruptcies due to “gamed” market, check. Additional costs from lowered bond rating; ancillary damages to state programs sapped by the crisis; general damages and costs from blackouts; estimated cost of pain and suffering by Californians; attorneys’ fees and expenses; loss of state revenue; compound interest on all; additional environmental damages; punitive damages; all check. Hmm, looks like they still owe us.

Bill B. Butler

Palm Desert