Energy

Furor over oil-industry windfall puts GOP to the test

November 4, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CBS MarketWatch</p> <p>Conservatives in Washington usually deride talk of a windfall-profit tax - a policy last seriously advocated in 1979 - as populist demagoguery intended to appease angry consumers by finding a culprit and thereby give lawmakers political cover. This time, the climate seems to be changing. "It's definitely gaining traction," said Jamie Court, president of the California-based FTCR, and a windfall-tax proponent.</p>

Oil profits stir windfall tax ideas

November 3, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>Consumer groups and Democrats started pushing for a windfall-profits tax after gas topped $3 a gallon in September. But even some Republicans, who traditionally have opposed tax increases, are joining the call for a tax on oil companies' profits.</p>

Russell Roberts of George Mason University & Jamie Court, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, discuss the taxation and regulation of the oil industry

November 3, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Kudlow & Company Show (CNBC-TV)</p> <p>Mr. COURT: I favor regulation of supply, and I think that for three years we've had big profit margins for this industry for one reason. They've made too little gasoline to meet demand. And when the market doesn't work, the government does have to step in and make sure it's fair, particularly when gasoline that fuels the rest of the economy is what we're talking about.</p>

BIG OIL: KEEPING THEIR MONEY CLOSE TO HAND

October 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gulf News (Financial Times)</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica, California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, alleges that the oil industry has "intentionally reduced refining capacity to pump up profits to world record levels."</p>

Oil companies made huge profits in third quarter

October 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Today Show (NBC-TV National)</p> <p>Mr. JAMIE COURT (Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights): An industry like the oil industry knows that if it just has bare minimum to meet demand, that any shock to the system will drive their prices and their profits up.</p>

Oil Giant Does Well: Exxon Sales Top $1 Billion a Day;

October 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>$100.7 billion in revenue is a record as profit hits $9.9 billion. Results draw outrage.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"This is a staggering profit and proof that we are being gouged by the oil industry," said Jamie Court of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. Court said oil companies had refrained from building domestic refineries so that tight supplies would push up prices.</p>

Energy profits spark cries of protest

October 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Houston Chronicle (Texas)</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of FTCR, issued a written statement Thursday calling on the government to force ExxonMobil to invest in new refineries. "The proof of price gouging is in the profit reports. Exxon knows that by making less gasoline it makes more money -- now Exxon needs to invest that money in making more gasoline," he said.</p>

Taking Aim at Oil’s Riches;

October 26, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Some want the industry to use its record profits to boost production, but many companies are cautious. Two senators back a consumer rebate.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, alleges that the industry has "intentionally reduced refining capacity to pump up profits to world-record levels."</p>

Cost of gas here falls less than nationwide;

October 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Average price down 5 cents in S.D. County</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"The oil industry has always said the California market is an island," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "What they don't say is that it's an island they own and control."</p>

Don’t Export the Oil

October 11, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace Radio Program (NPR/American Public Media)</p> <p>Jamie Court (FTCR): Refineries make the residential heating oil that warms your home. Part of the reason home heating prices are skyrocketing is there are barely enough refineries to meet demand. Oil companies like it that way. A scarce commodity keeps their prices and profits high.</p>

House to vote on new energy bill

October 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>Opponents of the move say the bill would gut clean air laws at the expense of public health and won't do much to bring prices down. The legislation would scrap regulations that force plant owners to install the latest pollution-control equipment when they expand their facilities.</p>

New, expanding refineries a long-term solution, companies say

October 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Knight Ridder Washington Bureau</p> <p>"There needs to be more supply-side regulation of this industry. The industry knows it will make more money by making less gasoline," said Jamie Court, the president of the Los Angeles-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>