Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Energy

Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.
Group says Shell plots ‘peak’ repairs;

Group says Shell plots ‘peak’ repairs;

<h3>Documents suggest company already planned summer refinery slowdown</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register (California)</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, contends that the documents are very recent because they contain numbers marked "5/25/04 Actual."</p>
WHY ISN’T BIG OIL DRILLING MORE?

WHY ISN’T BIG OIL DRILLING MORE?

<h3>Despite the recent runup in prices, the industry is slow to pick up the pace</h3><p class="source">Business Week</p> <p>With joint ventures dominating downstream operations such as refining and storage, the competition's inventories are no secret, critics charge. "You don't need a smoky back room. All you have to do is go to a computer," says Jamie Court, president of FTCR</p>
State could run refinery Shell intends to close

State could run refinery Shell intends to close

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Consumer activist Jamie Court sees a way to kill two birds with one stone: The state should buy the refinery and process its own fuel, saving jobs and money and possibly turning a profit by selling excess production to local governments.</p>
Shell denies it will cut gas production over the summer

Shell denies it will cut gas production over the summer

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The Santa Monica-based group also sent a letter Monday to the state attorney general's office and the Federal Trade Commission that urged a regulatory response against Shell to keep gas prices from spiking this summer in California.</p>
Power bill may allow big users to shop;

Power bill may allow big users to shop;

<h3>LAWMAKERS STRUGGLE WITH ENERGY BLUEPRINT</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"Deregulation is a dangerous game, and we should not put Californians back on that path," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
Gas Retailers Lose Money with Record High Prices

Gas Retailers Lose Money with Record High Prices

<p class="source">The Montana Standard</p> <p>Another study by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Los Angeles consumer group, found those same five companies refine 90 percent of California's gasoline and control the majority of its gas stations.</p>