An electrifying debate: Accountability under the microscope with state’s power plant deal

THE EXPANSIVE ENERGY bill that so angered clean-energy advocates and city and county officials — negotiated last week behind closed-doors — was softened somewhat over the weekend, restoring oversight of new energy projects to some critical state agencies.

But those hard-won concessions were nearly negated late Sunday night as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration added an entirely new and unexpected section.  It reopened the heated debate over the trailer bill, intended, in part, to prop up California’s overstretched power grid.