Energy

Cell Out, Take II

March 3, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) earned a zero in customer service yesterday when they passed a set of weak rules and tried to pass them off as cell phone consumers' rights. The plan...</font>

Initiative Targets Punitive Awards;

March 2, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A proposed measure would bar assessment of such damages in many product liability suits.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"This measure removes a major check on outrageous behavior," said Robert Fellmeth, a former district attorney and executive director of the Center for Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego.</p>

High Court Rules for Oil Firms

March 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the court's ruling was tantamount to giving oil companies free rein. "This is the ultimate example of, 'Unless you catch the oil executives actually smoking cigars and carving up a market, there cannot be an antitrust prosecution,' " he said.</p>

Going Low Octane

February 22, 2006  ·  Jamie Court

<p> The following commentary by FTCR President Jamie Court was broadcast on the Marketplace Morning Report radio program on NPR on Tuesday, February 21st, 20006. ...</p>

EDITORIAL: Return oil profits to American people

February 9, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Baltimore Sun</p> <p>Some experts believe the gigantic profits result not from chance but from limited refining capacity -- possibly deliberate -- reducing supply and boosting prices. Although demand has grown dramatically in recent decades, Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, observes: "We haven't had a refinery built since 1976."</p>

Testimony of Tim Hamilton before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on 2-1-06 Regarding Anti-Trust Laws & Big Oil

February 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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Exxon profit hits record $36 billion;

February 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The amount is the largest by any U.S. company ever, analysts believe</h3><p class="source">The Houston Chronicle</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights issued a statement claiming Exxon Mobil unfairly profited from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, echoing the sentiments of many of those with gripes about gasoline prices.</p>

Exxon Profit Sets Record, Stirs Anger;

January 31, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Its annual and quarterly profit are the highest for any public corporation, but consumers see red.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>On Monday, the California Assembly rejected a windfall profits tax on a 28-43 vote, falling well short of the two-thirds majority required for passage. Jamie Court, president of FTCR, was incensed: "We're in a state that has been price gouged more than the rest of the nation historically, and our Legislature can't even get a simple majority... to say 'no more profiteering.' "</p>

Chevron 4th Qtr. Profit Up 20 Percent to $4.14 Billion

January 29, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Consumer activists, though, insist a government crackdown is long overdue. "These aren't just windfall profits; they are hurricane-force profits," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a watchdog group that has railed against the oil industry for years.</p>

Residents feel pinch of rising bills;

January 18, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Southwest Gas, California Edison offering discounts based on inability to pay</h3><p class="source">The Daily Press - Victorville (California)</p> <p>Douglas Heller, executive director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica said greed is at the root of the rate increases. "When people are facing the hard economic choices of the day, when it is particularly stinging to keep our lights on, we are paying extra to cover corporate stupidity and greed."</p>

Gas prices leap into the new year

January 7, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune (California)</p> <p>Jamie Court of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica said the petroleum industry eased up on pricing in the wake of the devastating hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, fearing a consumer backlash. But now he said the industry is tightening supplies. "We need better eyes and ears on this industry," Court said.</p>

DWP Pays to Drink Sparkletts;

January 4, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>L.A.'s supplier of tap water accounts for more than a third of the city money spent on the bottled variety.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"It strikes me as ironic that the city spends money touting the safety of its water to drink but won't drink it themselves," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>