Energy

Looking for Commitment

January 4, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Bond Buyer</p> <p>While the California Public Utilities Commission's proposed plan to set rates that would back up to $13.4 billion in power bonds is a step in the right direction, many legal questions must still be answered before any debt can be sold, market participant</p>

Out of the Frying Pan: The energy crisis that dominated the California Legislature’s 2001 session subsided as the year came to a close,

January 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>but it left behind a debilitating financial hangover that could hamper the state's economy for years to come.</h3><p class="source">State Legislatures</p> <p>The blackouts that were predicted for the summer never materialized. California's second largest utility did not, as many lawmakers feared, slip into bankruptcy. And prices on the volatile electricity spot market not only leveled off, they declined</p>

INDISTINCT ELECTRICITY STRATEGY CRITICIZED

January 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>LONG-TERM SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS SEEN IF STATE STAYS THE CURRENT COURSE</h3><p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>With the lights no longer flickering and power once again cheap and abundant in the West, most California energy users probably woke up today without a hangover -- at least of the energy variety.</p>

Gas Marketers: Oblivious to All the Fuss

January 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>New mega-marketers, niche players emphasize opportunity.</h3><p class="source">PUBLIC UTILITIES FORTNIGHTLY</p> <p>THE NATURAL GAS TRADING BUSINESS HAS been on a roll since the mid-1980s, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order 436, giving birth to the concept of gas marketing companies.</p>

Oaks Project Highlights

January 1, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Read on to learn more about Oaks Projects initiatives and victories over the past five years.</p>

Paying the light bill

December 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Battles over deregulation will be fought</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>For months, SDG&E residential customers have opened their statements and considered themselves lucky -- lucky they've emerged from the energy crisis with bills often just 25 percent higher than before.</p>

Gas Pains

December 26, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Texans snickered, but we all got snookered in the end</h3><p class="source">East Bay Express</p> <p>On January 16, 2001, California utility giants Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison officially defaulted on payments to power companies around the country. On January 17, the first rolling blackouts began across the state.</p>

PUC CHIEF JOINS CROWD URGING NEW LOOK AT POWER DEALS

December 23, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO SIGN LAST WINTER, LYNCH SAYS, BUT CALIFORNIA NEEDS TO RENEGOTIATE</h3><p class="source">Modesto Bee</p> <p>In hindsight, state Public Utilities Commission President Loretta Lynch doesn't think Gov. Davis had much choice but to sign a batch of expensive long-term contracts for electricity last spring.</p>

More losers than winners in power play

December 23, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>It's going to take state and federal investigators a while longer to figure out who was naughty and nice in California's energy crisis. The facts are still coming to light even as the last blackout fades into memory.</p>

State auditor is critical of energy deals

December 21, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Assessment says consumers could be stuck for billions</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis and California energy officials spent too much on long-term power contracts that also leave the state vulnerable to electricity shortages during peak demand times, the California state auditor said yesterday.</p>

Audit slams weaknesses in state’s power purchases

December 21, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>In their rush to sign $42.6 billion in long-term electricity contracts earlier this year, California authorities failed to adequately protect consumers against price spikes and blackouts, the state auditor reported Thursday.</p>

Enron’s California customers analyze their power options

December 20, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>The roughly 40,000 California customers of fallen energy giant Enron Corp. are in a pickle.</p>