Energy

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  ·  Doug Heller

<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>

Refinery Expert Is at Odds With Shell

July 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A state-hired consultant finds that a Bakersfield site the company plans to shut down still is 'economically feasible.'</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Critics believe that Shell wants to close its Bakersfield plant to boost profits at its two other California refineries, based in Wilmington and Martinez in the Bay Area.</p>

Hybrid Cars Get a Big Push; Not So Fast, Others Say;

July 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Officials want to give incentives to owners of fuel-efficient vehicles. But transit experts decry a bill that would let solo drivers use HOV lanes.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In Sacramento, many auto manufacturers making larger hybrids are lobbying to have their upcoming models eligible for carpool lanes.</p>

Lay championed energy deregulation

July 8, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>"Even though Enron didn't make off with the biggest bag of money, you have to look at Enron and specifically Ken Lay to understand how we got into (the energy crisis) in the first place," said Doug Heller, with FTCR, which is strongly opposed to deregulat</p>

FTC launches Shell antitrust probe

July 8, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Seattle Times</p> <p>A watchdog group, The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, last month sent internal company documents to the FTC that show Shell faces no shortage of crude for its California refineries, according to Jamie Court, the group's president.</p>

State Senate Panel Backs Bill for Energy Revamp;

June 30, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The measure would let investor-owned utilities build plants. Big users of electricity could buy on the wholesale market.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer groups fear that even partial deregulation and free-market pricing can shift a disproportionate amount of costs from wholesale buyers to residential and small-business customers.</p>

WellPoint Sale Moves Forward

June 29, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Shareholders approve the deal with Anthem. But it needs an OK from California regulators.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights sent letters Monday urging the the managed-health department and Garamendi to demand WellPoint return $1 billion in what the advocacy group described as "premium-funded reserves" to policyholders.</p>