Energy

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>

State Official Blasts Energy Bill;

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Schwarzenegger is said to be in agreement with the opposition to the revised measure.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"We certainly are gratified that the speaker has removed the deregulation elements from this energy bill because Californians have no desire to head down memory lane with energy policy," said Douglas Heller, executive director of FTCR.</p>

Power demand sets record;

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ENERGY BILL UNDER DEBATE</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>With California still reeling from its disastrous foray into electricity markets, Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocates are leery of restoring deregulation features such as letting big businesses shop around for the lowest power rates.</p>

Governor’s office airs criticism of energy bill;

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Secretary says consumers wouldn't be able to choose</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"The governor's plan is a prescription for instability because it relies on unregulated energy suppliers and the same federal regulators who failed to protect us during the electricity crisis," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR.</p>

State winning this time in power game;

August 8, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>New power plants, conservation get credit for reaching record July demands</h3><p class="source">The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA)</p> <p>"The energy industry always wants us to think that we're on the edge of another blackout, but we're really not even close," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonprofit advocacy group.</p>

State Officials Tour LNG Sites With Energy Execs

August 2, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said "If this was an important policy trip, the governor should have had the state pay for it, and they didn't need to stay at the Four Seasons hotel."</p>

Pare down, state urged;

July 31, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Governor's task force likely to recommend slashing jobs, board posts and agencies.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Consumer advocates have some concerns that eliminating some boards and commissions could make the regulatory process more secretive or give a governor too much power.</p>

New report proposes sweeping overhaul of state government

July 31, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Doug Heller, a consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said he doesn't oppose making government more efficient, but criticized the secrecy behind the report.</p>

Chevron Profit Soars

July 31, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer advocates and critics have claimed the oil giants are using the Iraq war and supply concerns as "scapegoats" for high prices that are actually due to market manipulation.</p>

ChevronTexaco profit more than doubles

July 30, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"This is turning into a racket," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica watchdog group that wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the oil industry's pricing practices.</p>

Critics of Shell closure plan say Bakersfield, Calif., refinery still viable

July 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Bakersfield Californian</p> <p>Energy consultant Tim Hamilton, who worked with FTCR on issues surrounding the closure, said Turne's comments are important. "It answers the question, 'Is Shell telling the truth about Bakersfield or not?' and apparently they're not," said Hamilton</p>

It’s a Junket, Mate

July 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">What would you call an all-expenses paid eleven day excursion to Australia and South Korea? Throw in a tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Three nights in the Four Seasons Hotel of Sydney....</font>