Energy

Governor Fails to Curb Big Money

February 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>While criticizing the system, Schwarzenegger continues to raise millions to help his political agenda and seeks to lift restrictions.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, one of the governor's biggest critics, accused Schwarzenegger of setting up a special election "to get around campaign finance laws," thereby wasting taxpayer dollars.</p>

Government Of, By and For Arnold

February 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Today, we note an Arnold first - the governor admits he's wrong. The Sacramento Bee reports that Arnold is withdrawing his plan to eliminate nearly 100 public protection boards that police...</font>

Film-industry tax break backed;

February 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SCHWARZENEGGER WANTS MOVIE-PRODUCTION WORK TO STAY IN CALIFORNIA</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, with FTCR -- which has helped organize protests of teachers and nurses at many of Schwarzenegger's recent events -- said, "Given the crises facing the state, helping out his pals in the movie industry is not what California really needs."</p>

Cell phone decision spurs fears of a shift at utility commission

January 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Ventura County Star (California)</p> <p>Thursday's 3-1 vote to suspend the landmark Telecommunications Consumer Bill of Rights demonstrates that the commission is becoming more friendly to the businesses it is charged with regulating, said Doug Heller, a consumer advocate with FTCR.</p>

State fines former commissioner;

January 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Duque cited for utility commission votes on Nextel</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>In light of the fine, FTCR, the group that unsuccessfully went to court to try to oust Duque from office, said he should have to repay the state for the cost of defending him in court. At one point, the legal bills were estimated to be more than $100,000.</p>

PUMPING HIM UP;

January 16, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Governor's position as a top editor at a pair of bodybuilding magazines may enhance his political celebrity</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"These magazines are where Arnold the Brand meets Arnold the Politician," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonprofit watchdog organization that manages a Web site called Arnoldwatch.com</p>

Energy firm settles suit with state

January 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Consumer advocate Doug Heller with FTCR, said the settlement is certainly not enough money in the scheme of things, but isn't a bad payout considering FERC's longstanding reluctance to force generators to make refunds to California.</p>

Utah-based firm to buy Bakersfield, Calif., refinery for $130 million

January 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Bakersfield Californian</p> <p>Jamie Court, with FTCR, said the announcement the refinery will likely stay open is very good news for consumers, but the sales process should not have taken this long, and this should really force every other oil company in the nation to think twice befo</p>

Shell sells aging refinery in Bakersfield, Calif., to Flying J oil company

January 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"It's remarkable that it took consumer groups, whistle-blowers and regulators to force Shell to sell this facility. If Shell had its way, they would have shut this facility in October," said Jamie Court, president of FTCR.</p>

Shell says it has buyer for refinery

January 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"This is a national model for how whistle-blowers, consumer groups and elected leaders can work together to protect motorists from market manipulation," said Jamie Court, president of FTCR.</p>

Diesel retailer to buy Shell’s Bakersfield, Calif., refinery

January 11, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Orange County Register (California)</p> <p>Shell records obtained by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights showed the refinery estimated its net earnings at $ 11.4 million at the end of May -- a higher margin per barrel than at its larger Martinez refinery.</p>

Consumer Advocates Assail Gov.;

January 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Schwarzenegger's plan to abolish independent regulatory boards called blow to public interest. Cabinet member says citizens will have input.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to abolish the independent boards that regulate California professionals has outraged public watchdogs, who say it would eradicate years of reform that curtailed the influence of trade groups over those who oversee them.</p>