"The California Public Utilities Commission is committed to a strong program of enforcement for generation facility maintenance and operation," said CPUC President Michael Peevey, who wrote two decisions to put the rules in place.
During the state's power emergency in 2000-01, plants operated by independent power producers often were out of service for repairs at peak demand periods, pushing up wholesale electricity prices and alarming regulators and grid officials.
Plant owners and operators denied any wrongdoing.
The California Legislature directed the CPUC to enforce operating rules for plants of 50 megawatts and larger. One megawatt is power for about 1,000 homes.
"This is a significant milestone in our efforts to slam the door on the California energy crisis," said CPUC commissioner Carl Wood.
"We can begin to respond to the overwhelming evidence of generation facility underperformance during the energy crisis and determine whom to hold accountable if electric reliability is again compromised," Wood said.
The rules cover plant maintenance plans, operator logbooks, and audits, inspections and investigations, the CPUC said.
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