Energy

PUC May Cede Control Over Electricity Rates

July 19, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Chief says letting the state water agency set prices would ensure that ratepayers cover costs. Others say plan would leave public unprotected.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California's chief utility regulator proposed Wednesday to provide rubber-stamp approvals of any future electricity rate increases that state power buyers find necessary.</p>

California’s New Problem: Sudden Surplus of Energy

July 19, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>After months of warnings about power shortages and forced blackouts, an unusually cool July and surprisingly effective conservation efforts have put California in a stunning position</p>

California Regulators Issue Proposal to Deal with Power Crisis

July 19, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>The state would have unfettered access to proceeds from electricity bills and lock itself into the business of buying electricity for 15 years or more under a proposal released Wednesday by the state's top utility regulator.</p>

California Energy Regulators Give Up Power to Question Rate Hikes

July 19, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>State energy regulators have reluctantly signed away one of their most fundamental consumer protection roles: the right to question and reject requests for higher power rates.</p>

Assembly panel OKs two bills to help Southern California Edison

July 19, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Two sharply contrasting plans to prevent debt-ridden Southern California Edison from being dragged into bankruptcy cleared a key Assembly committee last night, but a third measure stalled in the Senate.</p>

Bailout Watch #59 – Jul 18, 2001

July 18, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #59 - Jul 18, 2001<br/> <br/> Get Your Buckets Ready; It's Bailout Time!</strong> Lawmakers in Sacramento are falling over...</strong>

PUC discusses raising rates

July 18, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Sparking accusations that it's abandoning its watchdog role, the Public Utilities Commission took the first step Wednesday toward promising to raise rates as much as necessary to pay the state's electricity bills.</p>

PUC agrees to adjust electric rates if necessary

July 18, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>A proposed agreement between state power regulators and the agency that buys electricity for millions of Californians would allow the state to raise electric rates with no outside review</p>

Lawmakers devise rival bailout plans for Edison

July 18, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Push to come up with alternative to bankruptcy before recess</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Lawmakers are struggling this week to agree on a plan to keep Southern California Edison from declaring bankruptcy as they rush to complete business before Friday's scheduled summer recess.</p>

Assembly panel to vote on Edison bailout today

July 18, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Two proposals are vying for lawmakers' support. The utility says both fall short.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>After three months of political wrangling, a bill that would bail out financially crippled Southern California Edison will finally be voted on in the Legislature today.</p>

Crucial debate begins over Edison’s financial future

July 17, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Divided legislators began grappling Tuesday with competing proposals to keep one of California's largest private utilities, Southern California Edison, from going bankrupt.</p>

Record $344.3 million spent lobbying Legislature, agencies

July 17, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Spending to lobby the Legislature and state regulators jumped nearly 18 percent to a record $344.3 million over the two-year period ending last Dec. 31, the secretary of state's office said.</p>