New York Could Experience California-Type Energy Shortages Industry Expert Says Similar Policies Could Leave the State Short on Electricity

WASHINGTON -- - Energy policies adopted by New York State could lead to shortages of electricity, similar to the crisis facing California, according to a power industry expert at the International law firm Coudert Brothers.

According to George Knapp, head of the energy practice group at Coudert Brothers who has extensive Federal regulatory and private sector utility industry expertise, New Yorkers are in danger of experiencing the energy shortages and higher costs currently facing Californians, unless new investments in facilities and transmission lines are made. The strategy of closing and selling plants, and purchasing electricity from sources outside the state, has failed in California and easily could produce similar consequences for New Yorkers, Mr. Knapp believes.

Mr. Knapp, resident in Coudert's Washington office, also points out that in California's search for culprits and rush to fix the dysfunctional energy markets there has been a deficit of attention to a viable solution that will avoid a recurrence of energy supply shortages and price spikes in California.

Mr. Knapp is available to the media for commentary. For more information, contact: Christopher Tofalli of Broadgate Consultants, Inc. at 212-232-2226.

SOURCE Coudert Brothers