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| | 2004_04_08_Reliant (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-07) |
 | | During the crisis, Reliant Energy Services's parent company, then known as Houston Industries Power Generation, Inc., was one of the "Big 5" electricity generators that had purchased power plants in California after deregulation forced its utilities to divest their plants between 1997 and 1999. |
 | | By shutting off power plants to boost the cost of electricity, Reliant's conduct is alleged to have left millions of consumers vulnerable to the higher costs and potential flouts at the beginning of one of the worst energy crises in history. |
 | | If convicted, the maximum penalty for the corporation, Reliant Energy Services, for each count of conspiracy and wire fraud is the greater of $500,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss to the victims of the scheme, and up to five years probation. |
| www.usdoj.gov /usao/can/press/2004/2004_04_08_reliant.html (1380 words) |
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