Energy

Governor assailed over special election;

June 13, 2005  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3>Critics see today's expected move as a misuse of state's initiative process</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Never before, to our knowledge, has a sitting governor invoked his constitutional authority to call a special election when the only purpose of the election is the enactment of his own ballot measures," said Harvey Rosenfield, the founder and former president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, who spearheaded Proposition 103 in 1988 to roll back auto insurance rates.</p>

Summer energy problems possible;

June 3, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Southern California has 'worst' situation in U.S.</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"Pat Wood and FERC have stood in the way of California getting back money from the energy companies that robbed us," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, referring to the billions in refunds California has been demanding that federal regulators order from electricity suppliers.</p>

Calif. Senate OKs bill of rights for telecom

May 31, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">RCR Wireless News</p> <p>"Despite its poor track record, the cellular telephone industry continues to believe that minimum customer service standards are not needed," said Sen. Martha Escutia (D), the lead sponsor of the legislation. "It's a shame that the industry is keeping its head in the sand and refusing to negotiate on the bill."</p>

Refining an industry;

May 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Oil companies, consumer groups spar over where profits should be pumped</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of FTCR in Santa Monica, said regulations aren't the key issue in California, where he said the far-flung industry is generating its highest profits. Court said this is an industry where companies work in unison to keep supply and inventories low, so the price of their commodity stays high, and the only solution is state control over the industry, requiring adequate investment in new refineries while providing a reasonable rate of return to companies.</p>

Shell Oil vindicated in refinery decision;

May 28, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Too little, too late, consumer advocate says</h3><p class="source">The Bakersfield Californian</p> <p>"It's kind of like getting a pardon after the execution," said Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Protection in Santa Monica.</p>

CA Contractors & Oilman Host Texas Shakedown

May 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2"><a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.orgpoliticians/corporate/rp/rp005059.pdf">According to a fundraising invitation,</a> the hosts of Arnold's Monday night fundraiser in Dallas are Jeff Rich, the...</font>

Clinton-Gingrich is just the ticket to a lame health-care sequel

May 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Tallahassee Democrat</p> <p>I'm not saying that the Hillary-Newt idea is a bad one (for that, read HuffPost blogger Jamie Court ) - just an unimportant one. It's either a small good idea or a small bad idea - despite the gossipy buzz the "When Hillary Met Newt" pairing created on cable news.</p>

EXTRACTING TOP DOLLAR;

May 15, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Refineries clean up, by restricting supply</h3><p class="source">Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA)</p> <p>The recent jump at the pump is not being caused by a shortage of crude oil, but by too few refineries to process that crude into gasoline. In California - where five refiners control 90 percent of the state's gasoline supply - the artificial shortages that result when oil companies shrink refining capacity are particularly profound.</p>

Governor Seeks Consolidation of Energy Agencies;

May 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Proposal would create a state Cabinet secretary to oversee policy. Some see the plan as a power grab, others as vital to progress.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica group that frequently opposes the governor, called that proposal "a literal and figurative power grab." "This is a governor who is dead set on removing all independent oversight, and this seems to be an extraordinary move in that direction," Heller said.</p>

Arnold’s Powerpoint

May 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">In a Power Point presentation unveiled today, the Gov introduced plans to create a centralized state Energy Department that, among other things, will take away oversight for elements of...</font>

Chevron Doubles Down on LNG Bet

May 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">When ChevronTexaco announced its purchase of Unocal on April 4th, <a href="http://www.arnoldwatch.org/blogs/blogs_000683.php3">Arnold Watch noted</a> that the purchase was a bet that Liquefied...</font>

LA Has Chance to Lead Prescription Drug Revolution

May 5, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">KPCC 89.3FM Pasadena, CA</p> <p>If the City Council does the right thing, Los Angeles will be on its way to becoming the only city in the country that negotiates price breaks from drug companies on behalf of its residents. NassauCounty, New York has such a plan and, with roughly a third of LA's population, its residents are already saving 20 percent.</p>