Energy

In 1st Hearing, PUC Urged to Lift Rate Hike

May 8, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Speakers call on the agency to rescind the increase approved last month. Officials caution that they are focusing on 'who pays and how much.'</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The lights were out to save energy in a Santa Monica hearing room, but the heat was on as consumers and business representatives urged the California Public Utilities Commission on Monday to spread the pain of rate increases fairly</p>

Gas Tabs and Hot Air

May 6, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Washington Times</p> <p>Having just returned to my home in Michigan from a driving trip to the East Coast, it's easy to understand the anger and frustration of motorists contemplating gasoline prices of $2 a gallon or more in many parts of the country.</p>

State Agrees to Buy Power From Sempra

May 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Separately, Edison begins $3-million ad campaign to gain support for deal to sell its transmission grid to California.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Governor Gray Davis announced a $7-billion agreement Friday to buy electricity for 10 years from the most robust of California's utility companies, Sempra Energy, parent of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.</p>

Energy costs rise — pay of execs, too

May 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Generators' CEOs get big raises. Some say they're worthy, others greedy.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Executives at the largest energy companies selling power into California saw their compensation rise an average of 253 percent last year, with one top executive collecting more than $100 million.</p>

Calif. power grid execs admit to bloated budget

May 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>The non-profit agency that runs most of California's electric grid and sits at the hub of the state's collapsing power system spends far more than any other grid operator in the country on everything from telephones to salaries.</p>

Bailout Watch #37 – May 03, 2001

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #37 - May 03, 2001<br/> <br/> Remember when we were told that it would cost less than a half-a-billion? </strong>On January 18,...

Utilities spend to keep the lobbying heat on

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Although strapped for cash, California's three largest utilities spent nearly $1.18 million during the first three months of the year to lobby lawmakers and regulators</p>

Legislature sends power authority bill to governor

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>California is poised to enter the power business after the state Senate approved the creation of a public power authority and sent its bill to Gov. Gray Davis Thursday.</p>

GOP candidate says Davis policies mean socialism, bankruptcy

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Secretary of State Bill Jones on Thursday released his plan to solve California's energy woes and accused Gov. Gray Davis of running up "massive debt while socializing the delivery of power."</p>

Federal judge dismisses $10 billion PG&E lawsuit

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed against the state's Public Utilities Commission by California's largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., that sought $10 billion from California ratepayers.</p>

California consumer groups unhappy with settlement involving Williams

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Williams Cos. should have paid California more than the $8 million it was forced to in a settlement with federal regulators over the company's power charges, California consumer watchdogs say.</p>

California Decision May Lead to Future Tax Break for Energy Firms

May 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>Even as they announce record profits, energy companies from Texas, North Carolina and other states could see a windfall of another kind for years to come</p>