Energy

Burn, Baby, Burn

June 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

"Burn, baby, burn," is what one Enron electricity trader gleefully said about a California wildfire during the energy deregulation crisis. The fires, which knocked down power lines, helped push electricity prices higher. But that was...

Burn, Baby, Burn

June 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">"Burn, baby, burn," is what one Enron electricity trader gleefully said about a California wildfire during the energy deregulation crisis. The fires, which knocked down power lines,...</font>

New threat on the horizon

May 29, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>THEY TOLD YOU IT ENDED</h3><p class="source">San Mateo County Times (San Mateo, CA)</p> <p>"Under this proposal, the biggest businesses in the state will have access to the cheapest power while average consumers pay higher rates," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Governor Promotes the Idea of Consuming Less Gasoline;

May 29, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The effort mimics a 2001 campaign on electricity. Some say the unfunded program isn't enough.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based FTCR, believes Schwarzenegger should be attacking systemic problems in California's fuel market and using his clout and popularity to pressure oil companies and the Bush administration for changes.</p>

Tourists to county undeterred by gas costs

May 28, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Consumer advocates in California say oil companies have intentionally kept refinery capacity limited. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights yesterday criticized Gov. Schwarzenegger for limiting his response to soaring gas prices</p>

Letter To Gov Schwarzenegger About Flexing Power On High Price of Gas

May 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>You have refused to flex your own power to force refiners to play fair, keep sufficient inventories and maintain existing refining capacity.</p>

Lockyer hires consultant to check Shell claim

May 27, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Documents unearthed by a consumer advocate group, the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, show the plant made money four of the past six years. But Shell says the long-term outlook is bleak, in part because of the declining availability of crude oi</p>

Rising gas prices are driving many of us to extremes

May 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Motorists buy gadgets, travel farther in quest to save a few pennies at pump</h3><p class="source">The Seattle Times</p> <p>Consumers feeling squeezed by gas prices are queuing up at Costco pumps, cruising Web sites for the lowest prices and buying gadgets to coax more miles from their tanks.</p>

Shell’s Refinery Shutdown: Standard Business Practice

May 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"Should they have the right to reduce a treasured and valuable refining capacity simply to make more money?" asks Jamie Court, a consumer advocate challenging the shutdown.</p>

Shell denies greed spurs the closure

May 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Some consumer advocates say that's no accident. The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, which has unearthed internal company memos showing the refinery has been profitable recently, says Shell is trying to manipulate the market.</p>

No stopping higher gas prices

May 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>As records fall again, state lawmakers prepare for a new investigation</h3><p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>"The only way we're going to get to the truth is when oil execs are hauled up and put under oath," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Governor Removes Criticized Director;

May 19, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Edward Heidig's post draws scrutiny as law agency is ordered to be more business-friendly.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"Every rule in California is filtered through this office, so it is essential that it is run independently and without political pressure," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica advocacy</p>