Energy

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

46% Spike In Gas Price Just Doesn’t Make Sense

May 18, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

This conjunction of abundant supply and low demand should translate into cheap prices. But that isn't the case right now. “The fact that oil is over $50 per barrel, much less close to $60, doesn't make sense in a pure supply and demand market,” said Judy Dugan, who tracks oil prices at Consumer Watchdog, a public interest group in Santa Monica. “It's scary to think that if gasoline can go up this much in a completely collapsed market like this, when businesses are shutting down and people are being thrown out of jobs and economizing in every way, how much will it go up when the economy recovers? $4? $4.50?” Dugan said.

Utilities paid for PUC event

May 17, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Commissioners Solicited Sponsorships; Ethical Questions Raised Public Utilities Commissioner Gary Hanson solicited money for an energy conference from many of the Midwest utility companies that the PUC regulates. Improper relationships between Minnesota PUC members and the companies they regulate led years ago to new ethics rules to prohibit contact with the utilities during pending cases. "This level of fraternity is unacceptable," said Judy Dugan, research director with Consumer Watchdog, a California-based nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer rights group. "They will owe something to these industries at some point."

Budget Measures’ Backers Pay Up To Avoid Added Taxes

May 8, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Alcohol, tobacco and oil firms, sports teams and studios could bear a larger fiscal burden if voters say no on May 19. The corporate campaign giving "amounts to protection money," said Doug Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog. Heller said the corporations "already won yesterday's battles" to keep the state from hitting them up for revenue. The campaign contributions, he said, "give them a leg up in tomorrow's battle" over taxes.

Insurers are poison, says GOP deceiver-in-chief

May 8, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

It's not a household name, but Frank Luntz is the brilliant deceiver of the GOP who in 2002 <a href="http://www.oilwatchdog.org/articles/?storyId=22039">taught the Bush Administration </a>to say that drilling for oil is just "exploration" and global warming is just "climate change." Now comes his <a href="http://www.politico.com/static/PPM116_luntz.html">new treatise</a> on how the GOP can kill health reform with perfect messaging. Yet the most striking statement is this: "We suggest ratcheting up the rhetoric against insurance companies to almost the same degree as you do against Washington bureaucracy." Even the guy who made global warming sound tame can't see anything good about insurance companies.

$2 Gas Flows Again In State Summer Driving Season, Blend Changeover Cited

May 7, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

The Arkansas average price for regular gasoline topped $2 on Wednesday for the first time in more than six months. Demand for gasoline nationally was down another 1 percent last month, said Judy Dugan, researcher for Consumer Watchdog. "Yet prices are being shoved up by market speculation on nothing but hope that people will drive more," she added.

California Legislators Hire Pals, Ex-Colleagues With No Bidding

May 4, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Doug Heller of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit group that monitors Capitol spending, said politicians only increase public cynicism when they appear to play favorites. "I just wish that elected officials would understand how important it is for them to reconnect with the public rather than constantly make choices that raise questions," Heller said.

Costco Settles ‘Fair Fuel’ Lawsuit

April 27, 2009 · Judy Dugan

NEW YORK, NY -- Costco last week agreed to settle a lawsuit over the sale of hot gasoline -- gasoline above 60 degrees that expands, but is not accounted for at the pumps, resulting in consumers receiving less gasoline than they pay for.

Change, But Not Resolution, Since Big West Refinery’s Shutdown

April 25, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Now that the refinery is idle except for basic maintenance and safety operations, other refineries have been able to bridge the gap, said Susanne Garfield, spokeswoman for the state Energy Commission. But Judy Dugan, research director of Santa Monica's Consumer Watchdog, said that could change. "When the economy recovers... demand is going to go up, especially for diesel," she said.

Costco Gas Prices Will Be Adjusted For Heat Expansion

April 23, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Costco Wholesale Inc. has agreed to install new gasoline pumps at stores in California and 13 other states that will adjust prices when fuel temperatures rise above the industry standard of 60 degrees. "This is fantastic news for consumers," said Judy Dugan, research director of Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based advocacy group. "Costco is taking the lead in offering drivers gasoline that has the same amount of energy in every gallon, living up to its reputation as a consumer-friendly place to shop."

Costco Offer Would Fix Hot Fuel

April 23, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

For the first time in the U.S., a gasoline retailer has plans to fix hot fuel. Costco Warehouse Inc. has agreed to change its fuel pumps in several states so they compensate customers for the lower energy value of hotter-than-average gas and diesel. "Hurrah for Costco," said Judy Dugan, research director for Consumer Watchdog, a California public interest group. "Costco has a reputation for consumer friendliness, and frankly this carries that forward." Dugan said Costco had been under pressure from the oil industry not to settle.

Costco To Install Hot Fuel Sensors

April 22, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Big warehouse discounter Costco has reportedly agreed to put in the equipment needed to ensure you get all the gas you pay for. The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog says an announcement is expected any day now.

Lawsuit Over Gas Pricing Revived

April 4, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

An appeals court rules that a class-action case alleging a conspiracy by oil refiners in the 1990s should proceed. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday revived a class-action lawsuit accusing Arco, Chevron and several other refiners of conspiring to fix gasoline prices during the mid-1990s. But the same panel expressed doubt that the plaintiffs would be able to prove their case. Judy Dugan of Consumer Watchdog said she wasn't sure whether the case could be proven, but added that "almost any gas station will tell you that the refiners are fixing the price to keep it high." Dugan said that the state attorney general's office "ought to demand more and better information from refineries about what they pay and on exactly how they set their prices."