Energy

Get ready for the sequel

March 29, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Scripps Howard News Service</p> <p>If it were not so serious, the debate about California's electricity crisis would be as entertaining as a Hollywood thriller, thanks to its colorful cast of villains, dupes and victims.</p>

Calpine Profits To Exceed Goals

March 29, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Fast-growing power generator Calpine Corp. disclosed Thursday that it is cashing in on the rising cost of electricity even more than management anticipated.</p>

Bailout Watch #26 – Mar 28, 2001

March 29, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #26 - Mar 28, 2001<br/> <br/> View today's BW Cartoon: Davis Drives State Into The Perfect Storm</strong><br/> <strong><br/> ...</strong>

CALIFORNIANS GET PRICE SHOCK

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ELECTRICITY RATES RAISED BY STATE ON SLIDING SCALE</h3><p class="source">Chicago Tribune</p> <p>In a move that shocked and angered consumers, the California Public Utility Commission on Tuesday voted to increase electricity rates by up to 46 percent for almost all of the state's residents, the biggest increase in the state's history.</p>

SDG&E accused of overcharging ratepayers

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A state consumer agency claimed Wednesday that San Diego Gas & Electric has overcharged ratepayers by more than $100 million, an allegation the utility denies.</p>

RECORD RATE HIKE APPROVED

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PROTESTERS SAY 'WE WON'T PAY' AS HUGE POWER BOOST PASSED</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>The state Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the largest electrical rate increase in California history Tuesday, hitting customers of two private utilities with 42 percent and 46 percent hikes.</p>

Protesters Storm CPUC Over Rate Hike

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Energy Daily</p> <p>Amid protesters' chants of "Rate hikes go away, make the energy companies pay," the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously but reluctantly approved a 3 cent per kilowatt-hour retail rate increase</p>

PUC Votes To Jack Up Power Rates

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Tiered increases approved as protests disrupt meeting</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>The bill finally came due for California's experiment with electricity deregulation as consumers were hit yesterday with the largest rate increase in state history, an average 40 percent jump in monthly power costs.</p>

PUC APPROVES LARGEST ELECTRICITY RATE INCREASE IN STATE’S HISTORY SOME CUSTOMERS WILL PAY UP TO 46% MORE.

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>COMMISSIONERS, FACING STRONG OPPOSITION BEFORE THEIR UNANIMOUS VOTE, SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO AVERT BLACKOUTS. CRITICS SAY MOVE WON'T SOLVE THE CRISIS.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>With protesters jeering their disapproval, besieged utility regulators Tuesday adopted the largest electricity rate hike in the state's history and defended the action as the only way to keep the lights on for millions of customers.</p>

PUC ACTION LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED, SUCH AS HOW TO HANDLE UTILITIES’ DEBTS AND WHETHER TO BUY GRID.

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>As painful as Tuesday's electricity rate increase will be for some consumers, power experts across the ideological spectrum say California is not yet close to being free of the energy crisis that has engulfed it and threatened its economy.</p>

Editorial: Will higher rates make you serious?

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Few will be surprised that we're finally being asked to pay more -- much more</h3><p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>While Gov. Gray Davis has stubbornly staved off rate increases that the utilities and others have been clamoring for, it was perhaps inevitable that ratepayers would eventually have to pay more.</p>

Consumer activists say they will fight price hikes

March 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>Calling it the beginning of a ratepayer revolt, consumer activists descended on state regulators who approved a massive electricity rate increase on Tuesday and said they would eventually go to voters to try to get the price hikes reversed.</p>