Energy

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>

Groups see little room for accord

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>State consumer groups -- several of which continue to work on plans to overturn electricity deregulation through a ballot initiative -- will be in no mood to compromise when they discuss the crisis today with Gov. Gray Davis and executives of the state's</p>

Edison seeks 30% rate hike: “In order to keep the lights on, we need more cash,” a utility lawyer tells the PUC.

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE (RIVERSIDE, CA.)</p> <p>Southern California Edison pleaded for a 30 percent rate hike Wednesday, warning of rotating blackouts and possible bankruptcy if it doesn't receive a quick infusion of cash.</p>

ELECTRIC UTILITIES SEEK UP TO 30% RATE HIKE

December 28, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>EDISON AND PG&E PRESS FOR INCREASE AS THE PUC OPENS HEARINGS. CONSUMER GROUPS SAY COMPANIES GAMBLED WITH DEREGULATION AND SHOULD PAY THE PRICE.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California's two biggest public utilities began pressing their case Wednesday for electricity rate hikes of up to 30%, the costly legacy of their ill-starred plunge into deregulation.</p>

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>

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>