Energy

New Obstacle to Refinery Deal;

September 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Shell is refusing to include key parts in the sale of its Bakersfield facility, sources say.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, said Shell's latest restrictions were proof that the company never intended to sell the refinery and wanted it closed to further tighten fuel supplies in Californi</p>

Rise of the nonlegislator

September 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>The report authors found that those Assembly members most likely to abstain on failed bills were moderate Democrats. Along party lines, Assembly Democrats didn't vote on 32 percent of failed bills while Republicans didn't vote on 13.5 percent of them.</p>

The bills stop here;

September 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>'LITMUS TEST' MUST BE COMPLETED BY END OF MONTH</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"I think this is the ultimate litmus test of whether the governor is going to put the real people's interest above the dollars he receives from special interest groups," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights</p>

Calif. electric re-regulation bill gets an OK;

August 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Measure likely to reach governor; veto possible</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, which supports the bill, says opponents of the bill avoid talking about deregulation, although he said that is their objective.</p>

ARNOLD’S STATE ‘GARAGE SALE’;

August 26, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SURPLUS PROPERTY RANGES FROM CAR TO CATTLE PROD</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Consumer advocate Doug Heller of FTCR said some of Schwarzenegger's ideas for streamlining government might have merit. But he criticized the behind-closed-doors method the governor has employed to develop proposals like the CA Performance Review.</p>

Rx Express heads north for drug buy;

August 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Two Portlanders are taking the Canada-bound train trip calling attention to the power of bulk purchasing</h3><p class="source">The Oregonian</p> <p>"Why do you get better prices at Costco? It's bulk purchasing," said Jamie Court, foundation president and chief organizer of the protest.</p>

Gas Leaves State Even As Prices Rise – 8/22/04

August 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Orange County Register</p>

Shell agrees to keep open a refinery proposed to be shut down

August 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Marketplace Morning Report - MN Public Radio</p> <p>Regulators and legislators working with whistle-blowers and consumer groups can stop an oil refiner that's trying to short the market.</p>

BOOK REVIEW – How the corporate big picture affects the little guy

August 16, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>One hopes the book will also find readers among those who are not, at present, outraged by excessive corporate power: people who automatically assume that what's good for Wall Street is always good for the rest of us.</p>

Shell delays closure of Bakersfield oil refinery

August 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Jamie Court, a consumer activist with FTCR, hailed Shell's decision as a "major victory for consumers. I don't know of another instance in which an oil refiner has yielded to pressure from legislators and consumers to keep their refinery open."</p>

Shell May Postpone Closing of Refinery

August 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Lawmakers and other critics have said they believe Shell wants to close the refinery to tighten fuel supplies and boost retail prices in California, increasing profit at its Wilmington and Martinez plants. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating She</p>

Report: Shell gives in to state

August 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Company agrees to postpone closing its Bakersfield refinery so buyers can be found.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"If it's true, it's a big victory for consumers and for regulators," said consumer advocate Jamie Court of FTCR in Santa Monica. "It looks like Shell's finally conceding it's a very profitable refinery and prospects for sale are good."</p>