Sempra Exec denies role in State Energy Crisis

A Sempra executive is denying any role in the State's 2000-01 energy crisis:

The top executive of Sempra Energy told a jury Monday that a steep increase in natural gas prices had little effect on the wild price increases in electricity that struck California in 2000.

"I don't want to say it was trivial, but it was quite small," Sempra Chairman and Chief Executive Stephen Baum said during his second day of testimony in a civil lawsuit being heard in San Diego County Superior Court.

Baum's remark under questioning by a Sempra attorney appeared aimed at undercutting the premise of a massive class-action lawsuit against Sempra and its two utilities — Southern California Gas Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.

The lawsuit claims that the California utilities conspired to limit supplies of natural gas, which is used to run power plants.

Apparently, Dick Cheney had no involvement with Scooter Libby, either.