Davis signs legislation giving state regulators power to inspect power plants.(Knight Ridder Newspapers) From: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service | Date: April 26, 2002| Author: Taugher, Mike | COPYRIGHT 2002 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. _ State regulators will have the authority to inspect power plants and develop maintenance standards under legislation Gov. Gray Davis signed Friday.

The legislation was developed in response to suspicions that power plants owners were shutting down units to crimp supplies and drive up electricity prices during the past two years.

During the height of the state's electricity crisis, when prices soared and the possibility of blackouts loome...