Energy

California voters signal interest in plan to tax oil to boost renewables

September 21, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Electric Utility Week</p> <p>According to an early August Field Poll, 52% of voters sampled said they would vote for the proposition after being read its official ballot summary. Despite the well-funded "No on 87" campaign, Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Consumer & Taxpayer Rights, said he thinks Proposition 87 will prevail. "Voters' anger will help the initiative overcome the up to $40 million that the oil companies will raise to try to defeat it," said Heller.</p>

Oil Lobby Accused of Killing California Anti-Gouging Law

September 5, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The NewStandard</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights had backed the Attorney General in shepherding the bill through the Assembly, and the apparent about-face shocked the state-based watchdog group. Research Director Judy Dugan speculated that the bill's death was likely the result of intense pressure from the oil-industry lobby, which has successfully rallied state lawmakers to block nearly a dozen other proposals to regulate oil companies in this legislative session.</p>

STUDY: US DRIVERS ARE CASH COW FOR BIG OIL

September 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">FinancialWire</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said once taxes are deducted, U.S. gas prices in July were 24 cents a gallon higher than in Europe. While Europeans pay more than $5 a gallon, most of the pump price reflects government taxes.</p>

U.S. drivers subsidize European pump prices – report

August 31, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Reuters Newswires</p> <p>The report from the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights also showed that profit margins were much larger for multinational oil companies' refinery operations in the United States than those located in Europe.</p>

SACRAMENTO SERENDIPITY; FORTUNE FAVORS THE WELL-CONNECTED

August 29, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Perhaps the politicians earnestly believe that their positions of power have nothing to do with the good fortunes of their friends, loved ones and supporters. But it's hard to believe that the special interests who fund the politicians aren't seeking some kind of a return on their investment, even if no quid pro quo is ever actually discussed.</p>

‘Hot’ fuel triggers investigation;

August 29, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>One state decides to pursue the gas-pumping problem after an inquiry by The Star finds it's costing consumers $2.3 billion a year.</h3><p class="source">The Kansas City Star</p> <p>"It's outrageous that Americans, who are already paying too much for their gasoline so oil companies can make billions in profits, cannot rely on an honest measurement for every gallon of gasoline they pump," wrote Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based consumer advocacy group, in a letter to Schwarzenegger.</p>

Letters to Gov. Schwarzenegger, Atty. Gen. Lockyer & U.S. Secretary of Energy Bodman about “Hot” Gas Rip-Off Scandal

August 28, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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Technology, new rules a hot-fuel fix

August 28, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Kansas City Star</p> <p>The energy industry has repeatedly blocked efforts in America to install retail fuel dispensers that automatically adjust for temperature change. The American Petroleum Institute (API), which represents the industry, contends it would cost too much to fix the problem. Moreover, it believes that consumers don't want to be bothered by pumps that adjust the size of a gallon to make sure they get the same amount of energy no matter what the temperature.</p>

Hot fuel for you and cold cash for big oil:

August 27, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>When gasoline gets hot, it expands. But U.S. fuel pumps don't account for the bigger volume, and it's costing American consumers about $2.3 billion a year.</h3><p class="source">The Kansas City Star</p> <p>"This is the greatest rip-off in history," says Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, Calif. In car-crazed California, the state that consumes the most gasoline, the cost to consumers for not adjusting gasoline volumes for temperature is more than $500 million per year. In the three largest gas-consuming states -- California, Texas and Florida -- the total is more than $1.2 billion. "The path to billions is pennies per gallon," Court says.</p>

Area gas prices drop but remain higher than points south

August 27, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Santa Barbara News-Press (California)</p> <p>"The companies demand whatever is possible at the pump, no matter what the actual production and distribution costs are," said Jamie Court, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "Their quarterly profits show that what we pay at the pump has no relation to supply costs," Mr. Court said. "What it boils down to is, it's a rip-off."</p>

Builders’ clout cited as flood bills stall

August 25, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, said the building industry has become increasingly powerful since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took office. "Let me put it this way: The governor is the tractor, and they're working the gears," Florez said. "And you can quote me."</p>

Guess who’s crashing fundraisers

August 23, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>Doug Heller with FTCR said that with more than 1,700 pieces of legislation pending -- affecting everything from cable regulation to global warming -- all the schmoozing between politicians and powerful money interests has repercussions for the public. "It's just disgusting because at the end of the day, there is zero public interest in allowing politicians to hold fundraisers while legislating," Heller said.</p>