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.
ChevronTexaco Earnings Climb 33 Percent

ChevronTexaco Earnings Climb 33 Percent

<p class="source">The Seattle Times</p> <p>The recent spike in gas prices has prompted some pointed criticism among politicians and consumer groups who believe oil companies are gouging motorists to fatten their bottom lines.</p>
Sen. Boxer Seeks Review of Shell Plant Set to Close

Sen. Boxer Seeks Review of Shell Plant Set to Close

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Boxer said an independent audit was needed because the oil company's credibility had been undermined by its inconsistent statements about the refinery and by a massive accounting scandal at parent Royal Dutch/Shell Group.</p>
Pumped-up profits for oil refiners;

Pumped-up profits for oil refiners;

<h3>Gas prices artificially inflated, critics claim</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>The profit results have fueled the ire of oil industry critics, who contend that the expanding profit margins are driven by artificially inflated gasoline prices and manipulation of refinery supplies in California and elsewhere.</p>
Governor backs plan to spur energy competition

Governor backs plan to spur energy competition

<p class="source">San Diego Union Tribune</p> <p>Consumer advocates, meanwhile, who had opposed Nunez's bill, found themselves in agreement with the speaker's criticism. "We are more encouraged by his response to the governor than by his bill," said Douglas Heller of FTCR.</p>
Camera! Action!… No Lights?

Camera! Action!… No Lights?

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">In a letter to PUC Chairman Mike Peevey today, Governor Schwarzenegger announced his intention to send California back into the throes of energy deregulation, putting as much as a quarter of the...</font>