Energy

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>

GOUGING & GUZZLING; OIL FIRM PROFITS SOAR ON HIGHER GAS PRICES

May 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Consumer advocates accused the companies of price-gouging Friday as ChevronTexaco joined other oil giants in reporting profits as much as three times higher than a year ago despite the weak economy.</p>

The pendulum swings back

April 20, 2003  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>Energy deregulation sucks," said John Burton, the state Senate's top Democrat, summarizing his support for the "Repeal of Electricity Deregulation Act of 2003."</p>

Energy users will see pennies, not dollars, from gouger rebates

April 15, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Ventura County Star (California)</p> <p>Everyone involved agrees the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's brand-new finding of widespread market manipulation in the California energy crisis of two years ago was long overdue. But it's no surprise that politicians and consumer advocates take di</p>

Oil prices dip; gas lags behind

April 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA)</p> <p>Jamie Court, executive director of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the situation of tight gasoline supplies is similar to the California electricity market two years ago when a handful of generators could manipulat</p>

State high court won’t review Duque ruling

April 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>The California Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to review an appellate court ruling that struck down sanctions against a former state utility commissioner for buying stock in a wireless phone company.</p>

Bill aims at energy reform;

April 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO RE-REGULATE UTILITIES, INTRODUCE MORE CONTROLS</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>Hoping to take California back to its pre-energy-crisis days, state lawmakers unveiled a bill Wednesday that would re-regulate the state's private electric utilities.</p>

Senators unveil bill to repeal energy deregulation

April 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>After California's failed attempt at energy deregulation, several influential lawmakers on Wednesday proposed to re-regulate the state's dysfunctional electricity market.</p>

Edison CEO’s Total Pay Doubles;

April 8, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>John Bryson received $6 million in 2002. Activist says raise isn't merited in wake of crisis.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer advocate Doug Heller of FTCR criticized the salary increases and bonuses granted to Bryson and other executives at a time when Edison customers continue to pay high rates to settle debts from the energy crisis.</p>

State Considers Establishing a Gasoline Bank;

March 24, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A fuel reserve is one of several ideas proposed to curb large price swings when crude oil supplies run short or refineries falter.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>As motorists fume at record-high gasoline prices, which soared in advance of war in Iraq, California officials are studying proposals that could help blunt future price spikes and reduce the state's growing dependence on petroleum.</p>