Energy

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>

Schwarzenegger Drug Plan Bought and Paid For By Drug Companies, Leaves Most Californians Without Protection

January 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer Group Vows To Propose Ballot Measure</h3>

Calif. Governor Calls for Reforms, Spending Cap

January 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Reuters</p> <p>Schwarzenegger also promised a prescription drug plan for nearly 5 million Californians, which consumer advocacy group The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, immediately called a plan to put drug companies in charge of health.</p>

New faces, big choices may shape PUC in ’05;

December 26, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Nominees could shake up alliances on energy panel</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Doug Heller of FTCR, an advocacy group in Santa Monica, said consumers could find themselves without a consistent vote on the five-member CPUC, which was established to guard against corporate abuse but which is the focus of more and more business lobbyin</p>

Poizner nominated for utilities commission;

December 17, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Governor Also Selects Democrat</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Consumer advocates, who saw Wood and Lynch as ratepayer champions on a panel favoring business interests, were skeptical of the new nominees, particularly Poizner because of his background as a business executive.</p>

Talks on Shell Refinery Sale Break Down

December 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Critics contend that Shell is a reluctant seller because it has made clear its desire to keep ownership of certain storage tanks and other assets integral to running the refinery and leasing those assets back to the new owner.</p>

Controversy embroils stem cell panel;

December 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The selection of a chairman, set for today, sparks some protests.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>A public watchdog group, the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, plans to tell the committee that it will be monitoring the new panel because of its members' connections to pharmaceutical and biotech firms that could profit from state-funded stem</p>