Energy

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

California Consumer Advocates Complain About Record Oil Industry Profits

July 23, 2015 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/jul/23/california-consumer-advocates-complain-about-recor/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment</a>. Consumer advocates said oil refineries are logging record profits as the state's drivers pay gas prices well above $4 a gallon.

Two Associations Square Off On Higher Gas Prices

July 22, 2015 · Mark Reback

<div class="withRelated left" id="WNStoryBody"> Frustrated with high gas prices? You're not alone. At a North Hills Mobil Station on the corner of Sepulveda and Nordhoff some drivers told us dealing with the higher prices is hard. One motorist said it cost him $100 bucks round trip to get to Anaheim. Another driver said, "I'm not gonna lie, it's a killer!" A couple of weeks ago, we were told the oil market was volatile, refinery problems and slow imports were to blame for a sudden spike in prices at the pump.

Apple Music Draws Calls For Federal Probe

July 22, 2015 · Mark Reback

A consumer group is asking federal regulators to look at whether Apple broke antitrust rules while establishing its new music service.

California Oil Refineries’ Gross Profits Nearly Double In 2015

July 22, 2015 · Mark Reback

As Los Angeles drivers shelled out more than $4 a gallon at the pump in recent weeks, the state's oil refineries pocketed record amounts of money — as much as $1.17 a gallon in gross profits. From Jan. 1 to July 6, oil refineries almost doubled the typical amount they collect on a gallon of gasoline, state data show.

Gas Companies Accused Of Ripping Off California At The Pump

July 22, 2015 · Mark Reback

As drivers in California continue to pay well over $4 per gallon at the pump, the state's oil refineries are raking in record profits, raising a few eyebrows.