Energy

Bailout Watch #2 – Feb 06, 2001

February 6, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH:  Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> Bailout Watch #2 - Feb 06, 2001<br/> <br/> Utilities seeking bailout scapegoat PUC.</strong><br/> <br/> The utilities' PR apparatus is gearing...

Bailout Watch #1 – Feb 05, 2001

February 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>BAILOUT WATCH: Keeping an eye on the energy industry and the politicians<br/> <br/> The whole world is watching</strong><br/> <br/> Last time, no one was watching. This time, the whole world is watching. Last time, state legislators...

Fact Sheet: The Utilities File Frivolous Lawsuits to Raise Rates

February 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>As part of the deregulation deal enacted by the California Legislature in 1996, California's utility companies -- Pacific Gas & Electric Co., Southern California Edison and Dan Diego Gas and Electric - insisted that residential and small business electric</p>

Lights on at home, but not at end of tunnel

February 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>California's $10 billion gamble to plunge into the energy-buying business was greeted at the Capitol with hugs, back slapping and plaudits from the governor.</p>

Feds say power plant shutdowns not plot to boost prices

February 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Federal regulators say California's record run of power plant shutdowns was legitimate and not an attempt to raise prices.</p>

AUDIT FINDS NO ORCHESTRATION OF HIKES

February 3, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A FEDERAL AGENCY SAYS PLANTS WEREN'T CLOSED TO DRIVE PRICES UP. REACTIONS OF DAVIS, OTHERS ARE SKEPTICAL.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Maintenance shutdowns that took some California power plants offline late last year were not orchestrated to raise prices, according to an audit by a federal regulatory agency.</p>

STATE APPROVES BOND SALE TO PAY FOR POWER

February 2, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>AFTER LEGISLATIVE BATTLE, DAVIS SIGNS BILL THAT WILL RAISE UP TO $10 BILLION AND COULD HIKE RATES. HE ALSO ORDERS RETAILERS TO CUT OUTDOOR LIGHTING OR FACE FINE</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Bowing to the grim realities of California's energy crisis, Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation Thursday that authorizes the state to sell up to $ 10 billion in bonds--about $ 300 of debt for every person in the state--to buy electricity that private utili</p>

PRIVATE POWER PRODUCERS INCREASE POLITICAL DONATIONS

February 2, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ENERGY COMPANIES STEP UP CONTRIBUTIONS, WHILE FLOW FROM UTILITIES DWINDLES.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>As cash-strapped utilities curtail campaign donations to California lawmakers, privately owned power producers appear ready to pick up at least some of the slack.</p>

FOUR UTILITY OFFICIALS SOLD STOCK BEFORE CRISIS

February 2, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ONE MADE $31,140, ANOTHER $87,512 BEFORE THE FIRMS' FINANCIAL PROBLEMS WERE WIDELY KNOWN. PG&E AND EDISON DEFEND THE TRANSACTIONS.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Three senior executives and a board member of Pacific Gas & Electric and Edison International profited from stock sales last year</p>

California Lawmakers Pass Energy Plan

February 2, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>With deadlines looming and electricity at dangerously low levels for a 17th straight day, the California State Legislature narrowly approved a $10 billion plan today to let the state buy power through long-term contracts</p>

Calif. to begin buying, selling power

February 2, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Step triggers fears of high utility bills</h3><p class="source">USA TODAY</p> <p>California officially entered the power business Thursday when Gov. Gray Davis signed a $ 10 billion package that even supporters called a poor answer to the state's escalating energy crisis.</p>

Calif. lawmakers work to minimize ratepayer hit in power crisis solution

February 2, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Retail Services Report</p> <p>Despite earlier official vows that ratepayers would not have to foot the bill for expensive power in California, legislators in Sacramento this week were hammering out a scheme</p>