Energy

California regulators approve ‘free market’ power plants

December 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Some consumer advocates argued that the free-market system would invite a repeat of the energy crisis, during which merchant generators raised wholesale power costs dramatically, driving PG&E into bankruptcy protection.</p>

Tauzin Should Be Banned From Lobbying Congress, the President, Says Consumer Group

December 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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Shell Oil Focuses on 1 Bidder;

December 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The company is negotiating exclusively with an investment firm to sell its Bakersfield refinery, sources say.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"With the extra three months, we're getting really close to popping the cork," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "I think there are too many government eyes on this for it not to happen."</p>

PUC’s firecracker ignites final salvo

December 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>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.</p>

Refinery granted reprieve;

December 7, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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

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

November 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Vallejo Times-Herald (California)</p> <p>"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</p>

Schwarzenegger must alter his fund-raising style

November 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>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.</p>

ARNOLD’S FIRST YEAR;

November 14, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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

The Next Four Years — Consumers

November 10, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace - Minnesota Public Radio</p> <p>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.</p>

The Next Four Years — Consumers

November 10, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>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.</p>

Consumers losing two friends on PUC;

October 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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

Who’s Driving Arnold’s Moving Van?

October 21, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">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...</font>