I think Gray Davis blew it on the energy crisis. He caved in to the energy companies and signed billions in overpriced energy contracts, throwing CA into financial trouble.
What I would have done is turn off power in GOP controlled districts (Orange county, Bakersfield, San Diego to start with) , and throw the ball into FERC's court. It wouldn't cost Davis anything, because these districts didn't vote for him, and it would put pressure on Bush to act.
Of the people runnign now, I would vote for Riordan. He is technically Republican, but his policies are right where most of CA is at, a little left of the center.