Energy

Mirant’s plants to keep operating; Energy company files for bankruptcy

July 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, CA)</p> <p>Mirant Corp.'s bankruptcy filing was not expected to affect the operations of its three Bay Area power plants, but the company may owe California $150 million to $1 billion in refunds stemming from the 2000-01 energy crisis.</p>

Direct access bill killed by Ca. Senate committee, but resurrection possible

July 14, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Electric Utility Week</p> <p>Small consumer advocates, however, said that the bill would favor large customers, which would be free to switch from the open market back to utility service while leaving bundled, or core, ratepayers to pay for more power to serve their potential need.</p>

PUC wary of PG&E deal;

June 21, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Some commissioners unhappy over 'costly' bankruptcy agreement</h3><p class="source">Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, CA)</p> <p>The governor's critical statements, and those of the PUC commissioners, set off speculation that the governor's office had engineered a deal with PG&E that Davis could criticize at first then revise later.</p>

State, PG&E Propose Deal to Erase Debt;

June 20, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Settlement would allow utility to emerge from bankruptcy and lower electricity rates. Gov. Davis says customers deserve bigger cuts.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights promised a fight at the PUC, saying "This is a total sellout of PG&E customers, and the [commission] should reject the proposed settlement."</p>

Settlement could put PG&E back on its feet;

June 20, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>But critics say consumers' cost is too high</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Douglas Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said the plan "steals billions of dollars from ratepayers" while allowing PG&E executives to keep large bonuses they have received since the company filed for bankruptcy.</p>

Federal judge announces compromise in PG&E bankruptcy

June 20, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"This may be a great deal for PG&E and its creditors but it is funded out of the pockets of California consumers," said Doug Heller, a senior consumer advocate with FTCR.</p>

Records: Davis adviser’s consulting clients have business interests before state

June 14, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"They wanted it both ways," said Harvey Rosenfield, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, who explained that the university wanted to switch any time there was a better deal to be had - often at the expense of the consumer pool.</p>

Bill to re-regulate utilities hits stiff opposition

June 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Doug Heller, a senior advocate with FTCR, said the direct access amendment opens the door to a bifurcated market, which in turn creates an opportunity to manipulate supply and prices.</p>

Effort to restore power monopoly falls to pressure

May 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>"Californians were the lab rats for a deregulation experiment that went horribly wrong," said Doug Heller with FTCR. "They want a regulated energy system that can be counted on to provide reliable and affordable electricity."</p>

State to consider energy bill changes;

May 22, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>BIG USERS MAY BE ALLOWED TO SHOP AROUND</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>Big power users such as universities and manufacturing plants may be gaining ground in an effort to bring back one of the most controversial pieces of the state's energy deregulation experiment: the ability to buy power on the open market.</p>

Davis Urges Electricity Rate Cut;

May 14, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Annual bills could drop $30 for homes, $120 for businesses under governor's plan.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, said the rate reduction was just a down payment on the billions of dollars that are due California electricity customers.</p>

One bill designed to hold down prices passes, the other fails

May 6, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>Oil companies got a split decision Tuesday on two bills that supporters said would inject more competition into California's gasoline market and help hold down the highest motor vehicle fuel prices in the country.</p>