Energy

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

State Lawmakers Probe Surge In Gasoline Prices

March 25, 2015 · Mark Reback

State senators investigating a recent surge in California pump prices at a Tuesday hearing grappled with price-fixing accusations and pressure to shift to alternative fuels. Members of the transportation, housing and energy, utilities and communications committees questioned why retail gasoline prices in California rocketed past prices in the rest of the country last month and are only gradually floating back down.

California Gas Prices Spike Nearly $1 Per Gallon Higher Than U.S. Average

March 24, 2015 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO -- Gasoline prices in California, which typically run about 30 cents higher than the national average, have spiked to nearly a dollar higher over the past month in one of the sharpest run-ups in U.S. history. From Feb. 1 to March 2, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the state jumped from $2.43 to $3.40, and the climb continued even as crude oil prices fell.

Gas Price Swings Prompt Questions About California’s Market

March 24, 2015 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - State lawmakers on Tuesday questioned the recent wild swings in California's gas prices and asked whether regulators can do more to reduce market volatility while government promotes alternative fuels to increase competition. "How can such a well-functioning market be subject to such volatility?" asked Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, who helped lead the legislative hearing in Sacramento.

Watchdog Group Pans California Refineries For Price Gouging

March 24, 2015 · Mark Reback

Group tells Senate committee this latest price increase was orchestrated by refineries SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A consumer watchdog report says California oil refineries have about half as much gasoline on hand compared to the rest of the country. Tuesday a consumer advocate told a Senate committee the situation has lead to a spike in gasoline prices for Californians. The report conducted by Consumer Watchdog says oil refineries are gouging Californians by keeping the state running on empty.

Why Gas Prices Hit California Drivers Harder

March 9, 2015 · Mark Reback

California Gas Prices Jump $1 In One Month

March 4, 2015 · Mark Reback

California gas prices have shot up about $1 a gallon in the last month as oil refineries have been idled by a labor strike and an explosion. That's made gasoline much more expensive here than anywhere else in the nation — an average of $3.44 for a gallon of regular as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to price-tracker GasBuddy.com. Hawaii is the only other state with an average price above $3 a gallon. Drivers in Los Angeles are paying an average of $3.54 a gallon to fuel up, more than any of the other 443 metropolitan areas tracked by GasBuddy.

Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Blast: State Probes Response

February 27, 2015 · Mark Reback

A pair of state Senate committees will hold a joint hearing in Torrance next week to discuss the recent explosion at the ExxonMobile refinery, the response by emergency crews and the impact on the community. The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee will meet in conjunction with the Environmental Quality Committee at Torrance City Hall on Thursday to discuss the Feb. 18 blast that injured four people.

Show Me The FCC Rules Please?

February 26, 2015 · Jamie Court

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2854" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/images_netneutrality.jpg" style="width: 160px; height: 160px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="160" height="160" />Leave it to Washington DC to hand Americans what is probably the greatest consumer victory from that town in a decade, then to not show them the actual rules.

Watchdog Group Calls For Probe Into Jump In Gas Prices After Torrance Refinery Blast

February 20, 2015 · Mark Reback

LOS ANGELES — A Southland consumer advocacy group called for an investigation Friday into alleged price manipulation at the pump after a sharp jump in local gas prices following an explosion at a Torrance refinery. Spot gas prices in Los Angeles have risen 25 cents per gallon since Tuesday’s <a href="http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/02/18/torrance-schools-told-to-shelter-in-place-after-possible-incident-at-exxon-mobile-refinery/">blast and ensuing fire </a>at the ExxonMobil refinery, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

Something Stinks and It’s Refineries

February 18, 2015 · Liza Tucker

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2849" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/images_b-jzujdcyaadzhy.jpg" style="width: 311px; height: 222px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="599" height="428" />Today’s explosion at the Torrance refinery couldn’t come at a better time—for refiners interested in driving up the price of gas.

Investigation Of Suspected Gasoline Price Manipulation Sought

February 18, 2015 · Mark Reback

State officials should send independent inspectors to verify oil company claims that the shutdown of two refineries in California were really necessary, says the group called Consumer Watchdog of Santa Monica. In a letter Wednesday to the governor, the state attorney general and lawmakers, Liza Tucker and Cody Rosenfield of Consumer Watchdog say they want to know if the companies “are telling the truth.”

Be Prepared to Pay More for Gas After Torrance Refinery Explosion

February 18, 2015 · Mark Reback

The explosion this morning at an ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance came at a bad time for fuel prices. After a benevolent winter of relatively low rates, wholesale gas prices have nearly doubled since mid-January, says Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service. If ExxonMobil shutters the Torrance facility, its only California refinery, it could add .15 cents a gallon to the current price spike, he said.