Energy

Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.

$1.2 Billion: California Motorists Spent Record Amount On Gas In July During Price Spike

August 6, 2015 · Mark Reback

As gas prices slowly drop across the region, California motorists can take a sigh of relief after spending $1.2 billion more on gas than the rest of the nation in July, while refineries brought in record profits, according to Consumer Watchdog. The group, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of consumer interests, said California drivers spent $201 more on gas last month than people in the rest of the country.

Watchdog: California Drivers Being Gas-Gouged On ‘Unprecedented’ Scale In 2015

August 6, 2015 · Mark Reback

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- California gas prices are typically among the most expensive in the nation, but a consumer advocacy group on Wednesday called for legislation to put a stop to what it says is major league price-gouging -- to the tune of nearly $5 billion so far this year.

Tom Steyer Fights High California Gas Prices

August 6, 2015 · Mark Reback

<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer’s latest political fight is aimed at California’s high gasoline prices. Steyer, who is known nationally for spending millions upon millions of dollars to get climate-friendly candidates elected to national office, is blaming oil company profits for the high costs.

Californians Get No Joy From Oil Rout Amid High Pump Prices

August 6, 2015 · Mark Reback

<div class="article-body__content"> <img class=" alignleft size-full wp-image-11253" alt="" class="left" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/images_crudeoilprices.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 266px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: left;" width="1200" height="649" /> Anybody looking for drivers pleased by the recent plunge in oil prices would be hard pressed to find them in Los Angeles.

Golden State Gouge: The Summer of Record Refining Profits

August 5, 2015 · Liza Tucker

In the six months since California’s record gasoline price spike began in February, Californians have paid $4.8 billion more than the rest of the country...

NextGen Climate Founder Tom Steyer Joins Consumer Watchdog In Call for Oil Company Accountability and Lays Out Initiative Framework

August 5, 2015 · Cody Rosenfield

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2883" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/jamie_court_tom_steyer_oil_press_conference_aug_5_2015_shot_4.png" style="width: 250px; height: 247px; float: right;" width="1200" height="1187" />NextGen Climate Founder and businessman Tom Steyer joined Consumer Watchdog today to release a new report on California oil refiner price gouging.

Steyer To CA Politicians: Time To Act On Gas Prices

August 5, 2015 · Mark Reback

Billionaire activist Tom Steyer wants the Legislature to fix what he calls California’s dysfunctional gasoline market, with drivers here paying $1 more for a gallon of regular than other Americans. And if the Legislature doesn’t act, Steyer may go to the voters with a ballot measure.

Billionaire Wants Oil Refiners To Disclose California Profit

August 5, 2015 · Mark Reback

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer called on California legislators Wednesday to require oil companies to disclose how much they make in profits from refining oil in the state. Steyer was joined by the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog in condemning what they called historic profits for oil refiners at the expense of consumers.

Gas ‘Shortage’ Doesn’t Stop Exports From California

August 3, 2015 · Mark Reback

On June 25, just one week before many California motorists began paying upwards of $4.30 per gallon for gasoline, the Bahamian-flagged tanker Teesta Spirit left Los Angeles headed for ports on the west coast of Mexico carrying more than 300,000 barrels of gasoline refined in California. The Teesta Spirit was just one of nine large tankers that left California ports carrying gasoline to places like Mexico and Chile between June 25 and July 23 at a time when oil companies were raising prices by as much as $1 per gallon in some regions.

Valero Profit Rises On High Gas Prices

July 31, 2015 · Mark Reback

California's sky-high gasoline prices translated into a big second-quarter profit for refiner Valero Energy Corp. The San Antonio company said operating income from its two California refineries soared to $295 million for the quarter that ended June 30, or more than 11 times the $24 million earned in the year-earlier quarter. Valero’s operations in California had a bigger year-over-year increase than any of the company’s other U.S. locations.

Gas Being Exported From California Despite ‘Shortage’

July 27, 2015 · Mark Reback

On June 25, just one week before many California motorists began paying upwards of $4.30 per gallon for gasoline, the Bahamian-flagged tanker Teesta Spirit left Los Angeles headed for ports on the west coast of Mexico carrying more 300,000 barrels of gasoline refined in California. The Teesta Spirit was just one of nine large tankers that left California ports carrying gasoline to places like Mexico and Chile between June 25 and July 23, at a time when oil companies were raising prices by as much as $1 per gallon in some regions.

Consumer Advocates Call On Calif. Attorney General To Investigate Oil Industry

July 27, 2015 · Mark Reback

<div class="prose-body"> Consumer advocates are asking California Attorney General Kamala Harris to look into record-high oil industry profits this year.