Coastal homes near Cardiff California sit at dusk along Pacific Ocean bluffs January 25, 2001. California has run perilously low on electricity, with rolling blackouts ordered twice last week as demand from its fast-growing population and surging economy have overwhelmed its aging power grid. [Emergency legislation being pushed by California Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg envisioned issuing up to $10 billion in bonds, backed by electricity revenues and secured by utility company assets. ]