Energy

Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.

Refinery granted reprieve;

December 7, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Shell refinery in Bakersfield, CA reaches pact with EPA to stay open</h3>The Bakersfield Californian 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.

PUC’s firecracker ignites final salvo

December 7, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The San Diego Union-Tribune 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.

Don’t look now, but it’s the LNG invasion

November 18, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Vallejo Times-Herald (California) "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

Schwarzenegger must alter his fund-raising style

November 15, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

Sacramento Bee 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.

ARNOLD’S FIRST YEAR;

November 14, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>NEXT BUDGET COULD BE BIGGER TEST FOR POLITICAL NEWCOMER</h3>The Daily News of Los Angeles "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.

The Next Four Years — Consumers

November 10, 2004 · Jamie Court

Marketplace - Minnesota Public Radio 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.

The Next Four Years — Consumers

November 10, 2004 · Jamie Court

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.

Consumers losing two friends on PUC;

October 28, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ADVOCATES SAY THEY BALANCED A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY MAJORITY;</h3>San Jose Mercury News (California) 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.

Who’s Driving Arnold’s Moving Van?

October 21, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

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...

Records at pump may not be far off

October 13, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The Oakland Tribune Tim Hamilton, a petroleum industry consultant who has issued gas pricing studies with the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, said oil firms do have market power as an oligopoly that benefits jointly together by a rise in prices.

Shell, EPA work on deal to keep Bakersfield, Calif., refinery open

October 12, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The Bakersfield Californian Jamie Court, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, said extending the refinery's operations until March "is a needed building block to making sure the refinery stays open."

Schwarzenegger says he’ll take on special interests in coming year

October 8, 2004 · Consumer Watchdog

The San Francisco Chronicle Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, found himself opposing Schwarzenegger several times on issues where the governor sided with those whom he had received campaign contributions from in the past.