Energy

CALIFORNIA UTILITIES FACE BANKRUPTCY

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">MARKETPLACE</p> <p>California regulators today considered whether to lift rate caps on electric bills that were a condition of deregulation of the power industry in the state.</p>

CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS FACED WITH RISING ELECTRIC COSTS WHILE POWER COMPANIES SAY THEY’RE ON THE VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Public Radio MORNING EDITION</p> <p>California's two largest utilities have stated their case for sharply raising electricity rates.</p>

As an Energy Crunch Continues, California’s Utilities and Their Customers Clash Over Rates

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>While California's governor was in Washington discussing the state's energy crisis with President Clinton, representatives of dozens of interested parties converged on an emergency meeting here today to debate whether consumers should pay sharply higher e</p>

Utilities seek immediate rate hike to avoid insolvency

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Two huge utilities are seeking permission to make consumers pay as much as 30 percent more for their electricity, saying the deregulated energy market has left them $9 billion in the red.</p>

Hearings get heated over bearing brunt of electricity deregulation

December 28, 2000  ·  Doug Heller

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>SAN JOSE, Calif._As utility executives pleaded for an electricity rate increase of up to 30 percent, angry consumer advocates denounced the state's deregulated energy system Wednesday and insisted that the public shouldn't bear the cost of its failures.</p>

POWER CRISIS GENERATES WINDFALL FOR SUPPLIERS

December 27, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A JUMP IN PROFITS IS FORECAST FOR FIRMS THAT PROVIDE THE STATE'S ENERGY. DAVIS SEEKS ADVICE FROM GREENSPAN.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California's power crisis surged through the political and financial worlds Tuesday as a sharp jump in the profit outlook of major electricity generators supplying California renewed controversy over alleged price gouging on the eve of public hearings to</p>

Irate Californians eye ballot initiative

December 27, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Washington Times</p> <p>LOS ANGELES - A rising anger among consumers over California's electric power crunch threatens to boil over into a 2002 ballot initiative that would order the state government to buy most power plants and power lines.</p>

Electricity rate hike debate heats up

December 27, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Riverside Press-Enterprise</p> <p>Utility companies and consumer groups escalated their rhetoric Tuesday as the state Public Utilities Commission prepares to take testimony on electric rate hikes.</p>

California considers rate hikes as Davis, Clinton meet

December 27, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>A two-day hearing opened Wednesday with wildly divergent suggestions for dealing with California's electricity crisis.</p>

A BITTERSWEET OUTCOME

December 27, 2000  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3>HARVEY ROSENFIELD, WHO WARNED AGAINST ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION, SAYS HE HAS BEEN PROVED RIGHT BUT REGRETS THAT IT HAS COME AT SUCH A COST TO THE PUBLIC. STILL H</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>As power outages and higher utility bills loom in California, Harvey Rosenfield--the man who unsuccessfully fought electricity deregulation four years ago--doesn't say, "I told you so."</p>

Davis’ ties to utilities energizes power debate

December 25, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>More than $450,00 has gone to his campaign since 1998; governor denies bias.</h3><p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>SANTA ANA -- California Gov. Gray Davis has taken more than $450,000 in campaign contributions since 1998 from the two utility giants he's negotiating with to help save from possible bankruptcy.</p>

WILL DAVIS ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION?

December 24, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In the throes of an energy crisis, many Californians are worrying about rolling blackouts and power rationing during the holidays. The state's governor, however, must face his own threat: "Grayout.</p>