Energy

California power regulators continue electricity competition

March 22, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>California power regulators will allow large businesses and institutions with pre-existing contracts to continue to bypass their local utilities and buy cheaper electricity from competing energy sellers, which critics say disregards the intent of a 2001 s</p>

California Attorney General to Challenge Federal Agency over Utility Refunds

March 20, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Opening a new front against electricity suppliers, California's attorney general will today challenge the refusal by federal regulators to consider refunds for overcharges paid by SDG&E customers during the summer of 2000.</p>

PG&E TRIES TO SELL COURT ITS REVISED PLAN; EXECS GET $ 4.6-MILLION IN BONUSES FOR 2001

March 18, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Electric Utility Week</p> <p>Pacific Gas & Electric in an attempt to assuage concerns expressed by a U.S. bankruptcy court in San Francisco that its reorganization plan may not be legally viable, filed a modified plan March 7th, following a decision by Judge Dennis Montali...</p>

PG&E Corp. awards millions in bonuses despite bankruptcy

March 14, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Megawatt Daily</p> <p>Eleven PG&E Corp. executives received more than $ 4.6-million in 2001 bonuses, according to a proxy statement the company issued Wednesday in advance of its April 17 shareholder meeting. The bonuses as well as salary increases and restricted stock awards</p>

Attorney General sues energy concerns alleging double-billing

March 12, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The lawsuits say the out-of-state power generators reaped millions by being paid to hold power in emergency reserve but then selling the power instead on the open market.</p>

Energy Lawsuits Imminent, Lockyer Says

March 7, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Electricity: Attorney general says the actions will allege antitrust violations, breach of contract by power producers during crisis.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>As he traveled California Wednesday with other leading Democratic officeholders and candidates, Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer said he will soon file major lawsuits against independent energy producers who profited from last year's energy crisis.</p>

PUC choice draws fire

March 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Critics Condemn Davis' Appointment of Energy Insider</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis turned to an energy industry insider Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the state Public Utilities Commission, angering top consumer groups who accused the governor of "making the fox the head of the henhouse."</p>

PG&E earned $1.1 billion last year; Bulk of profit came from its bankrupt utility

March 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>PG&E Corp. reported yesterday stunning profit of $1.1 billion for 2001, as a huge increase in electricity rates and a drop in power purchasing costs reversed the fortunes of a company that sent its largest division to bankruptcy court less than one year a</p>

Davis’ PUC pick jolts consumer activists

March 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>In a move that sent angry consumer activists racing for their fax machines, Gov. Gray Davis named former Southern California Edison President Michael Peevey to the state Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday.</p>

Davis Names Former Edison Chief to PUC

March 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Energy: Consumer groups are angered by appointment of industry insider. Governor defends his choice.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>To a chorus of protests from consumer groups, Gov. Gray Davis on Tuesday appointed Michael R. Peevey, a former head of Southern California Edison, to the state panel that oversees utilities.</p>

Energy Policy Act of 2002 – More Deregulation with Daschle-Bingaman Plan

March 4, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>While there are a number of points of concern (including taxpayer subsidies of the nuclear and oil industries), the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights has focused its concern on two sections of the plan</p>

Price-gouging Inquiries Target Enron Overcharges in California May Exceed $40 Billion

March 3, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Boston Globe</p> <p>The practices of Enron Corp. and other energy companies that designed California's energy-deregulation bill resulted in $40 billion to $70 billion in utility overcharges and ancillary costs,</p>