Energy

Advocacy group will not force referendum on $13 billion bonds for power

May 18, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>An influential consumer advocacy group has decided not to seek a public referendum on the state's plan to issue $13 billion in bonds for power purchases.</p>

Power-hungry Californians hit by electric shock

May 17, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Times (London)</p> <p>Where's all the outrage?CALIFORNIANS, who have enjoyed almost unlimited cheap electricity for decades to power their air-conditioning, catering-size fridges and outdoor pools, are to be charged up to a third more for usage</p>

PUC doles out increases

May 16, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Customers of Edison, PG&E get rate shock. SDG&E spared for now</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>In the preview of a movie SDG&E customers don't want to see, the state Public Utilities Commission walloped customers of California's other major utilities with electricity rate increases as high as 50 percent yesterday.</p>

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COSTS ON THE RISE

May 16, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Public Radio</p> <p>In California, the costs of power shortages keep rising. Many Californians will see a record increase in electricity rates when they open their June utility bills. The shock is just beginning to register</p>

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COSTS ON THE RISE

May 16, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">NPR - ALL THINGS CONSIDERED</p> <p>In California, the costs of power shortages keep rising.</p>

$5.7-Billion Energy Rate Hike Is OKd

May 16, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PUC shifts some of the increase away from businesses and farms to residential users. The rates, designed to reward those who conserve, are retroactive to March</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Voicing fears for the health of California's economy, the state's chief utility regulator Tuesday shifted some of a $5.7-billion rate increase away from agricultural and industrial customers and placed it on millions of residential customers</p>

Bailout Watch #42 – May 15, 2001

May 15, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #42 - May 15, 2001<br/> <br/> Bankrupt Leadership Edition</strong><br/> While the energy cartel threatens the state with financial...

PUC stalls decision on rate boost

May 15, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer group says big business to benefit</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>State regulators yesterday delayed until this afternoon a vote on the most sweeping electricity rate increase in California history so they could reduce the effect on heavyweight corporate customers.</p>

Local leader blasts FTC investigation

May 14, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Las Vegas Business Press</p> <p>News of the Federal Trade Commission exonerating oil companies against charges of violating antitrust laws and collusion in several Western states didn't Surprise one local official who participated in the three-year investigation.</p>

ARGUMENTS

May 13, 2001  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3>Who can keep California turned on?</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Two energy-policy experts agree that the status quo is a disaster, but they differ on how to fix it. In this e-mail debate, Harvey Rosenfield says the state should take over, while Adrian Moore thinks the free market can do a better job.</p>

Plants closed for maintenance more than before power crisis

May 12, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>The frequency of temporary closures of California power plants for maintenance and repairs has increased as much as four times since electricity prices began to rise last summer.</p>

Plant Shutdowns Tied to Power Costs

May 12, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Generators insist maintenance was needed. State contends firms created false shortage.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Since the moment electricity prices began to soar in May 2000, California power plants have been shutting down--purportedly for repairs and maintenance--at rates two, three and four times higher than before, according to figures made public by the state E</p>