California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-49.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 2001

California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) order a refund (with interest) of that portion of electricity rates or charges that FERC finds to be in excess of market-based rates that are just, reasonable, and neither unduly discriminatory nor preferential; and (2) issue an order establishing the maximum price for electricity sold at wholesale in the Western System Coordinating Council after June 1, 2000, if it determines that rates charged for wholesale sales of electricity are unjust and unreasonable under the Federal Power Act.Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) FERC response to certain State petitions regarding such unjust rates; (2) FERC establishment of maximum electricity prices; (3) mandatory refunds of prices paid in excess of such maximum; and (4) civil penalties for violations of this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 15, 2001
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-49.
Jan 22, 2001
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jan 22, 2001
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 2001 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 268 · California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.80 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.80, 107th Congress: California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/80

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s80/BILLS-107s80is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.80 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.80 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.80, 107th Congress: California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/80

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s80/BILLS-107s80is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.80 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.80 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.80, 107th Congress: California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/80

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s80/BILLS-107s80is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.80 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.80 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.80, 107th Congress: California Electricity Consumers Relief Act of 2001

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/80

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2001-01-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/s80/BILLS-107s80is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.80 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.