State Loses Bid to Revive Energy Suits

A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of California claims that Reliant Energy Inc., Mirant Corp. and other companies charged unreasonable rates for energy during the state’s power crisis in 2000 and 2001.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had the authority to decide whether energy prices were fair. A federal court had dismissed the claims against Reliant, owner of power plants in 12 states, and nine other companies.