Plan to Speed Power-Plant Licensing Begins

The California Energy Commission, (http://www.energy.ca.gov), whichis responsible for licensing power plants in California, will establishrules that seek to shorten the new power plant approval process from oneyear to six months. Since the power industry deregulation in 1996, powerplant construction has been scarce, resulting in a shortage of availableelectricity with increased demand. The commission 's new rules come inresponse to California's "energy crisis," as mandated by recently passedlegislation.