Energy

Daily power cost dips below $30 million as state readies contract release

June 14, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis says the long-term contracts he's releasing Friday helped put the state's daily power purchases below $30 million for the first time since the state began buying electricity on behalf of three cash-strapped utilities Jan. 17.</p>

Los Angeles Power Department, California Officials Clash over Electricity

June 13, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Daily News, Los Angeles</p> <p>Tensions between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the state escalated Tuesday amid accusations that the city has engaged in price-gouging for its excess energy supply.</p>

Governor plans to release details on state’s power purchases

June 13, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>California signed long-term electricity contracts at prices higher than those now available on the daily spot market, Gov. Gray Davis acknowledged Wednesday as a judge ordered him to release the pacts' details.</p>

Are Energy Companies Rigging Prices?

June 12, 2001  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Fox News Network - THE O'REILLY FACTOR</p> <p>"The Factor" has been investigating the mysterious world of gasoline prices, which seem to jump around all the time and seem to be coordinated by competing gas stations, or are we paranoid?</p>

Who’ll pay billions in PG&E debt? Consumers, taxpayers and asset sales are among the options

June 11, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>A judge's decision not to meddle with electric rates has left open the biggest question in the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. bankruptcy case: Who will pay the utility's nearly $10 billion in bills?</p>

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...

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>

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>