(I am geographically challenged when it comes to California.)
However the situation seems to be more complicated than is suggested by the OP.
http://www.elp.com/articles/2013/03/san-onofre-nuclear-outage-destabilizing-energy-prices-in-califor.html
[font face=Serif][font size=5]San Onofre Nuclear outage destabilizing energy prices in California[/font]
03/26/2013
[font size=3]…
Thus, higher wholesale power prices in Southern California more likely are attributable to the need for more-expensive generation in that region to fill the shortage. To ensure electric reliability in the densely populated Los Angeles and San Diego regions, Southern California needs to use local generation sources and cannot solely rely on imported electricity to replace generation from SONGS. The major nearby alternative sources, however, are more expensive, and seem to be contributing to higher wholesale power prices.
In 2012, the continuing SONGS closure put pressure on the electric power grid operator, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), to adjust both generation and transmission in order to meet summer demand for electricity, and in general, continues to change the generation profile in the area.
In a recent filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), CAISO requested changes to a
transmission constraint rule in an attempt to resolve transmission congestion that is contributing to higher prices. The proposed change would reduce the price point at which CAISO relaxes a transmission operating limit and allows more electricity to flow.
Southern California Edison released an operational assessment on March 14 for restarting SONGS unit 2; the restart requires the approval of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC is holding public meetings and conducting a technical evaluation of restarting this unit and has tentatively scheduled a decision for some time after May 2013.[/font][/font]
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