CALIFORNIA power groups not happy with Williams settlement

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Consumer groups in California are not happy with a settlement between Tulsa-based Williams Companies and a federal agency. <br><br>The power company is refunding eight (m) million

Thursday, May 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Consumer groups in California are not happy with a settlement between Tulsa-based Williams Companies and a federal agency.

The power company is refunding eight (m) million dollars in power sales revenues to California to settle one of four cases brought against it by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Williams admits no wrongdoing.

The California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says the settlement is like making a bank robber repay only 75 percent of the stolen money.

The F-E-R-C accused Williams and a partner of shutting down two electric generating plants to increase the price of electricity by ten times at other plants.

Williams had no comment on the consumer group's statement and denies overcharging for electricity.