Energy

Audits Fuel Debate on Curbing California Power Shortage

January 31, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>When California's Public Utilities Commission called for independent audits of the state's two largest utilities last month, the results were supposed to determine whether the utilities were justified in asking for rate increases of up to 30 percent</p>

BUSH WHITE HOUSE CONCERNED ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S ENERGY CRISIS

January 30, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>AUDIT SHOWS ONE UTILITY TO BE SOLVENT</h3><p class="source">National Public Radio MORNING EDITION</p> <p>President Bush says he's prepared to help relieve California's energy crisis. The president announced yesterday that Vice President Dick Cheney will lead a federal task force</p>

Audit: SoCal Edison saw high profits in dereg’s early days, now broke

January 30, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Edison International harvested $4.8 billion in dividends from Southern California Edison in the five years leading up to the recent run-up in electricity prices that has pushed the utility to the brink of bankruptcy, an audit released late Monday shows.</p>

For a populist moment, Davis seized the day — then let it go

January 29, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>For one brief moment, California wasn't governed by a bland, cautious politician.</p>

A Fable That Outdoes Aesop for Folly

January 29, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The best analogy about California's electricity deregulation comes from Richie Ross, a political consultant.</p>

Utilities Scramble To Persuade Public Of Need For Rate Hikes

January 27, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Energy: Edison And PG&E Mount Multi-Pronged Efforts. Trade Group Airs Ad Featuring A Consumer Advocate.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Horowitz, the "Fight Back" man, was implying that consumers should be battling consumer advocates--his buddies, you might assume--and not the big electric utilities.</p>

GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS OFFERS BOND PROPOSAL THAT MAY RESOLVE CALIFORNIA’S ENERGY CRISIS

January 27, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">NPR WEEKEND ALL THINGS CONSIDERED</p> <p>In California, they're hoping to make it through the weekend without more rolling blackouts. Energy reserves are again at a critical low</p>

DAVIS HINTS AT CHANCE OF HIGHER RATES; LEADERS AGREE ON CRISIS PLAN

January 27, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL CALLS FOR A STATE POWER AUTHORITY AND A TAXPAYER STAKE IN OWNERSHIP OF UTILITIES.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis for the first time Friday backed off his insistence that rate hikes would not be part of any solution to California's energy crisis</p>

As lawmakers plug power holes, consumer groups decry ‘bailout’

January 27, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CNN.com</p> <p>As California lawmakers work over the weekend to solve the state's power crisis, consumer advocates are calling a proposed stock option plan designed to help the failing power utilities "highway robbery."</p>

State looks at ‘investing’ in 2 utilities

January 26, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>PG&E files lawsuit against rate limits</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Seeking to eliminate the back-breaking debt California's two major utilities have accumulated, state officials Thursday began crafting a plan to gradually bail them out, perhaps in exchange for stock in the teetering companies.</p>

CALIFORNIA CONSUMER GROUPS ANGERED OVER ALLEGED PLAN TO MAKE RATEPAYERS OR TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILL FOR THE SOLUTION

January 26, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">MARKETPLACE</p> <p>Yes, California spent its 11th straight day on high alert for possible rolling blackouts, but this day was different.</p>

WALL STREET FIRM’S WEB SITE CALLS BLACKOUTS A TACTIC TO RAISE RATES

January 25, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>INTERNET COMMENTARY SAYS THREAT OF 'THE UNTHINKABLE' WILL GET POLITICIANS TO ACT -- THE SAME COMPANY IS PROVIDING ADVISORS TO HELP HERTZBERG CRAFT SOLUTIONS</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The same Wall Street firm that is advising Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg on solutions to the energy crisis stated on its Web site that the blackouts plaguing California are a tactic "likely intended to soften up the Legislature and the voters.</p>