Energy

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>

Feeling up about filling up;

August 23, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Yet while some analysts and consumer watchdog groups speculate that more price cuts at the pump are likely in coming days, no one is ready to declare that the worst is over. "The world price of crude oil, and concerns about Israel or Iran, don't mean anything when it comes to the price of gas in your hometown," said Tim Hamilton, an energy consultant to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "What drives the price is how much gasoline you have on hand, what's in your inventory."</p>

Yes on 87: The Oil Companies’ Web of Fiction

August 22, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">PR Newswire US</p> <p>Put the oil companies front and center in your advertising, instead of hiding behind front people and concealing the true backers of the campaign against Proposition 87: Chevron, Shell, Exxon Mobil, Occidental and other oil companies. </p>

California initiative Prop 87 would tax oil to aid renewables, alternatives

August 17, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Electric Power Daily</p> <p>Beth Willon, spokeswoman for the Yes on 87, dismissed conflict-of-interest concerns, calling them "oil company fiction." The No on 87 campaign has raised about $30 million so far, and oil producers Chevron and Aera Energy have made the biggest donations.</p>

Yes on Prop 87 — Secretary of State Albright Backs Initiative

August 17, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">PR Newswire US</p> <p>Proposition 87 will reduce our use of foreign oil and increase the use of domestic fuel sources and will not increase gas prices or reduce oil production. That has been proven in Alaska, Louisiana, Texas and every other oil producing state in the nation, which have for decades charged drilling fees similar to the one called for by Prop 87. Prop 87 is a $4 billion effort to reduce California's dependence on gasoline and diesel by 25% over the next 10 years, which will be funded by oil drilling fees paid by oil companies.</p>