Energy
POWER SHORTAGE IN CALIFORNIA
CBS EVENING NEWS DAN RATHER, anchor: More stormy weather coming in the Pacific Northwest could make it harder to keep the lights…
Dec 14, 2000Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Energy
California regulators, utilities look to feds to ease woes
The Associated Press A federal regulator is promising strong action to ease California's electricity woes after the state's second brush with blackouts…
Dec 14, 2000
Energy
California power companies on brink of bankruptcy
San Jose Mercury News SAN JOSE, Calif._Wednesday's fast-emerging concern about the financial health of the state's major utility firms is prompting an…
Dec 14, 2000
Energy
Wholesale electric prices soar anew
Sacramento Bee With wholesale prices again soaring on California's biggest power-trading market, grid operators called the year's 30th "stage two" electric emergency…
Dec 13, 2000
Energy
Spiraling prices roil utility market as supplies remain pinched
The Associated Press With wholesale electricity prices roaring upward, Wall Street is worried about utilities' economic health and a consumer group has…
Dec 13, 2000
Energy
FORECAST BRIGHTER BUT ELECTRICITY PRICE SOARS
NORTHWEST SENDS MORE POWER TO CALIFORNIA, BUT DISRUPTION FROM UTAH PROMPTS STAGE 2 ALERTLos Angeles Times Day 9 of California's electricity emergency…
Dec 13, 2000
Energy
STATE WAITS FOR BREAK IN POWER CRISIS
SHORTAGE: LOW SUPPLIES ARE PREDICTED FOR THE WEEK. WALL STREET DOWNGRADES UTILITIES UNABLE TO PASS ALONG RECORD PRICES FOR ELECTRICITY TO CONSUMERSLos…
Dec 12, 2000$620/ Month Electric Bills Under Deregulation
Ratepayers Could Own All the Plants at These Prices
Dec 12, 2000
Energy
Plants shut for pollution return to ease shortage
Oakland Tribune Consumer and environmental groups decried the hasty arrangements as a sacrifice of environmental protections, triggered by corporate attempts to profit…
Dec 9, 2000
Energy
After Summer of Power Woes, California Is Hurting Again
The New York Times It was not supposed to be like this. Families asked to turn off their Christmas lights. Businesses required…
Dec 9, 2000
Energy
The history of the deregulation debacle
For nearly a century, California's electricity has been provided by electric utility companies, each with their own local monopoly. This fact sheet…
Dec 8, 2000
Energy
STATE DECLARES FIRST STAGE 3 POWER ALERT;
EXPORTS ARE CURTAILED, OTHER STEPS TAKEN AS RESERVES DROP TO JUST 1.5%. OFFICIALS EXPECT FURTHER PROBLEMSLos Angeles Times California's energy nightmare nearly…
Dec 8, 2000
Energy
PUC Commissioner Won’t Quit
Besieged PUC Commissioner Rejects Calls for ResignationSan Francisco Chronicle One of the California's top utility commissioners yesterday rejected demands that he resign,…
Dec 8, 2000Electricity “Crisis” Caused by 1996 Deregulation: Californians Face Blackout As Energy Industry Profits Skyrocket
Consumer Group Sees State of Emergency, Ratepayer Revolt;
Dec 8, 2000
Energy
The money trap
As candidates ready for local elections and financial stakes grow in these races, City Council members take action to oppose campaign finance…
Dec 7, 2000