Tauzin Should Be Banned From Lobbying Congress, the President, Says Consumer Group
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Energy
California regulators approve ‘free market’ power plants
<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>
<p>Some consumer advocates argued that the free-market system would invite a repeat of the energy crisis, during which merchant generators raised wholesale power costs dramatically, driving PG&E into bankruptcy protection.</p>
Shell Oil Focuses on 1 Bidder;
<h3>The company is negotiating exclusively with an investment firm to sell its Bakersfield refinery, sources say.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>"With the extra three months, we're getting really close to popping the cork," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "I think there are too many government eyes on this for it not to happen."</p>
Refinery granted reprieve;
<h3>Shell refinery in Bakersfield, CA reaches pact with EPA to stay open</h3><p class="source">The Bakersfield Californian</p>
<p>Shell critic Jamie Court said Monday that Shell's agreement with the EPA "puts the burden on Shell to negotiate reasonable terms for buyers." If the refinery doesn't sell, he said, people won't be able to blame the government.</p>
PUC’s firecracker ignites final salvo
<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p>
<p>Loretta Lynch leaves the CPUC as a commissioner at year's end vilified by energy companies and applauded by consumer advocates, who note a curious turn in her career.</p>
Don’t look now, but it’s the LNG invasion
<p class="source">Vallejo Times-Herald (California)</p>
<p>"I don't believe for a moment that they would idle an LNG plant under any circumstance," says Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR. "We've learned too much through the energy crises to believe companies like this one will take the hit if their big gamb</p>
Schwarzenegger must alter his fund-raising style
<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>
<p>The fund-raising engine Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used so successfully in his first year to promote issues and consolidate power is grinding to a halt thanks to state regulators.</p>
ARNOLD’S FIRST YEAR;
<h3>NEXT BUDGET COULD BE BIGGER TEST FOR POLITICAL NEWCOMER</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p>
<p>"When he starts to strip away regulations to protect people from greedy corporations, we're going to see lots of looting and pillaging," said Jamie Court, a spokesman for ArnoldWatch.org, a regular critic of the Schwarzenegger administration.</p>
The Next Four Years — Consumers
<p class="source">Marketplace - Minnesota Public Radio</p>
<p>In the Next Four years, we'll see Greed Breed. That's the Bush Administration's agenda. And to accomplish it, the top tactic will be to make you terrified of government itself.</p>
The Next Four Years — Consumers
<!-- excerpt --><p>In the Next Four years, we'll see Greed Breed. That's the Bush Administration's agenda. And to accomplish it, the top tactic will be to make you terrified of government itself.</p>
Consumers losing two friends on PUC;
<h3>ADVOCATES SAY THEY BALANCED A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY MAJORITY;</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p>
<p>Consumer advocates would like to see the commission assert some control over the emerging technologies, as it did to a limited degree with this year's cell-phone-user bill of rights, while business groups favor a hands-off approach.</p>
Who’s Driving Arnold’s Moving Van?
<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Earlier this year Arnold made
a big fuss about how his Jobs Commission would be bringing businesses
back to California. He held a press conference in Long Beach announcing
his Commission; he...</font>