Energy

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>

Energy-starved California crafts relief plan

January 25, 2001  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Lawmakers are considering a plan under which California would issue bonds to cover the multibillion-dollar debts of its two biggest electric utilities and make customers pay the money back over a decade.</p>

NOW, CONSERVATION’S NAME OF POWER GAME

January 23, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>As California officials struggle to find a solution to the crippling power crisis, criticism has increasingly focused on tepid efforts to push conservation measures - the only short-term way to deal with energy shortages.</p>

Legislature, Davis Take Emergency Measures

January 23, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE ELECTRICITY DAILY</p> <p>After several days of deafening silence, California Gov. Gray Davis last week declared a state of emergency to allow California to buy electricity to pump into the under-supplied grid.</p>