Energy

New law bypasses PUC rate review; Change in process alarms consumers

June 11, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>SDG&E customers begin treading a path today to two rate increases likely to raise their bills 35 percent, or about $1.7 billion, during the next year.</p>

Tier-able Rate Hike

June 9, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>New power bills based on a tier system are hitting PG&E and Southern California Edison customers.</h3><p class="source">The Fresno Bee</p> <p>The latest bad news about the electricity crisis is coming to your mailbox soon. It's the rate increase passed by the California Public Utilities Commission, and some critics think you may need to be clairvoyant to understand it.</p>

Paying for Power a Struggle for Some

June 8, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumers on tight budgets face crises. Requests for aid flood agencies, but many of those eligible for discount programs are not signing up.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In San Francisco, a retired music teacher with polio came within 48 hours of losing gas to heat his apartment and electricity to charge the motorized scooter that takes him to the doctor and to church.</p>

Legislators considered acquisition of PG&E

June 8, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Plan also included buying Edison firm</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>State lawmakers quietly circulated a proposal last month that California's government buy Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison for more than $3 billion.</p>

Bailout Watch #52 – Jun 07, 2001

June 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #52 - Jun 07, 2001<br/> <br/> Supply and Demand politics.</strong> With pressure mounting on federal lawmakers to step into the breach...

Power crisis generating lots of heat

June 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Probes Pursuing allegations of price-fixing and other misdeeds produces frustration, friction.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Detectives would seem to be tripping over each other to discover who did what to whom, and why, in California's energy crisis.</p>

Power Is Assured, Buyers Insist

June 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Runaway market coming under control, they say, with 43% of daily need accounted for. They now can turn down offers they deem outlandish.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Eager to take credit for a sudden plunge in electricity prices, state power buyers said Wednesday that they had helped rein in California's runaway market by locking up power in long-term contracts.</p>

Increased hydropower behind price drop

June 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Experts say state electricity prices are falling because of a surprising level of hydropower, cooler weather, increased supplies and pressure from investigations into industry practices.</p>

California electricity prices fall, but still high

June 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Copley News Service</p> <p>Experts say state electricity prices are falling because of a surprising level of hydropower, cooler weather, increased supplies and pressure from investigations into industry practices.</p>

Bailout Watch #51 – Jun 06, 2001

June 6, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #51 - Jun 06, 2001<br/> <br/> Blink?<br/> <br/> Energy prices are down (at the moment). </strong>For months we have been calling on...

Unresolved Problems

June 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Did President Bush Blunder in Not Helping California With Its Energy Crisis?</h3><p class="source">Fox News Network - THE O'REILLY FACTOR</p> <p>In the "Unresolved Problems" segment tonight, did President Bush blunder in not helping California out with its energy mess? The president's job approval rating is down 8 points since April</p>

PG&E creditors approve bonuses

June 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Utility must file reorganization plan by end of year, or CEO only gets $600,000 extra</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>PG&E's creditors have agreed to management's plan to shower top executives with $17.5 million in bonuses but balked at the bankrupt utility's initial demand that the cash come with no strings attached</p>