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Energy

Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.
California PUC chief criticized;

California PUC chief criticized;

<h3>Some say shake-up favors power firms</h3><p class="source">The Houston Chronicle</p> <p>The California regulatory commission that blamed the state's energy crisis on Enron Corp. and other power companies can be expected to chart a course more favorable to the state's utilities after two new appointments, according to consumer and industry</p>
Former Utility Exec To Lead CPUC

Former Utility Exec To Lead CPUC

<p class="source">Energy Daily</p> <p>California Gov. Gray Davis, in a public snub of a state official who has not always followed his wishes, announced New Year's Eve that he was replacing the vocal president of the state's public utilities commission and adding another former aide to the</p>
Utilities panel starts new year with new president

Utilities panel starts new year with new president

<p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Michael Peevey, 64, who was president of Southern California Edison from 1990 to 1993, will replace PUC President Loretta Lynch, a San Francisco attorney who has headed the commission since May 2000. Lynch will remain on the panel as commissioner.</p>
Governor’s PUC choices draw fire;

Governor’s PUC choices draw fire;

<h3>New president, member called too pro-industry</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Shaking up the powerful agency that determines what Californians pay for electricity, Gov. Gray Davis appointed one of his closest advisers to the Public Utilities Commission and elevated a former energy industry official as the commission's new presiden</p>
Governor shakes up PUC positions;

Governor shakes up PUC positions;

<h3>With the addition of a former top aide, all five now are Davis appointees</h3><p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis shook up the California Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday by appointing a former aide to the panel and replacing combative commission president Loretta Lynch with a former utility executive.</p>
Governor demotes PUC leader Lynch

Governor demotes PUC leader Lynch

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>In a shake-up Tuesday of the board that oversees electric and telephone bills for millions of Californians, Gov. Gray Davis demoted the president of the state Public Utilities Commission and named one of his closest aides to the panel.</p>
Davis replaces PUC leader;

Davis replaces PUC leader;

<h3>EX-UTILITY CHIEF TO HEAD PANEL</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>"With billions of dollars in consumer rates at stake, Californians need an independent consumer voice on the PUC rather than another Davis insider,'' said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
Davis appoints former utility chief to head PUC

Davis appoints former utility chief to head PUC

<p class="source">Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>A former utility executive has been picked by Gov. Gray Davis to head the state's Public Utilities Commission, which regulates telecommunications and energy in California, while Davis named his Cabinet secretary to fill another opening.</p>