Chart – CA Gas Pump Price vs. Crude Oil Price
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Energy
Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.
Gasoline prices fall 13 cents this week
<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune (California)</p>
<p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica believes that manipulation of state gasoline supply did play a role in rising prices here. Judy Dugan, research director for the foundation, said inventory and production data from the California Energy Commission showed increases in gasoline for export at critical points during the summer run-up, which she said was evidence of market manipulation.</p>
California voters signal interest in plan to tax oil to boost renewables
<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
<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
<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
<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
<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;
<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>
Technology, new rules a hot-fuel fix
<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:
<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
<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>