Energy

Spiraling prices roil utility market as supplies remain pinched

December 13, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>With wholesale electricity prices roaring upward, Wall Street is worried about utilities' economic health and a consumer group has urged the state immediately to seize and run the strapped $20 billion electricity system.</p>

STATE WAITS FOR BREAK IN POWER CRISIS

December 12, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>SHORTAGE: LOW SUPPLIES ARE PREDICTED FOR THE WEEK. WALL STREET DOWNGRADES UTILITIES UNABLE TO PASS ALONG RECORD PRICES FOR ELECTRICITY TO CONSUMERS</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>With scant power supplies forecast for the entire week, California's electricity emergency dragged into an eighth day Monday as record electricity prices darkened the outlook for the state's biggest utilities.</p>

Plants shut for pollution return to ease shortage

December 9, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>Consumer and environmental groups decried the hasty arrangements as a sacrifice of environmental protections, triggered by corporate attempts to profit from the crisis and a failed state government effort to deregulate the electricity industry.</p>

After Summer of Power Woes, California Is Hurting Again

December 9, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>It was not supposed to be like this. Families asked to turn off their Christmas lights. Businesses required to shut down for hours for days on end. Utility executives demanding relief from the governor, warning that the state's electrical system is on</p>

STATE DECLARES FIRST STAGE 3 POWER ALERT;

December 8, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>EXPORTS ARE CURTAILED, OTHER STEPS TAKEN AS RESERVES DROP TO JUST 1.5%. OFFICIALS EXPECT FURTHER PROBLEMS</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California's energy nightmare nearly came true Thursday as the strained electricity grid almost ran out of juice, threatening blackouts across the state.</p>

The history of the deregulation debacle

December 8, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>For nearly a century, California's electricity has been provided by electric utility companies, each with their own local monopoly. This fact sheet explains how deregulation radically changed Califonria's energy system.</p>

PUC Commissioner Won’t Quit

December 8, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Besieged PUC Commissioner Rejects Calls for Resignation</h3><p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>One of the California's top utility commissioners yesterday rejected demands that he resign, despite a finding last week that he broke state rules by investing in a wireless company his agency regulates.</p>

Consumer Group: Electricity Crisis Is Actually Utility Profiteering

December 8, 2000  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">City News Service</p> <p>The threat of rolling blackouts is masking the deregulated energy industry's attempts to manipulate electricity supplies to increase profits, a consumer advocacy group charged today.</p>

The money trap

December 7, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>As candidates ready for local elections and financial stakes grow in these races, City Council members take action to oppose campaign finance reform initiative.</h3><p class="source">Pasadena Weekly</p> <p>Just days before last week's candidate filing deadline closed for the Pasadena City Council race in March, council members unanimously opposed a campaign finance reform measure that seeks to limit the powers and perks of elected and appointed city offici</p>

Governor wants utilities to halt sell-off of power-generating facilities

December 2, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis said Friday that utilities should be barred from selling off any more power plants and dams until California's turbulent wholesale electricity market smooths out.</p>

Governor outlines electricity plan; consumer advocates criticize it

December 2, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Gov. Gray Davis outlined his plan to deal with the state's burgeoning electricity problems, but the long-awaited announcement drew criticism from consumer advocates.</p>

Davis offers proposals to invigorate deregulated electricity market

December 2, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>SAN JOSE, Calif. _ Gov. Gray Davis offered a collection of modest measures Friday to deal with the state's energy crisis, but he is considering a more sweeping recommendation that could cost consumers billions of dollars.</p>