Energy

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

Boxer Asks California AG to Look into Alleged Market Manipulation

January 19, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer has asked California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate whether Shell Oil, in suspending crude deliveries to the Big West refinery in Bakersfield, Calif., was also attempting to manipulate the state's gasoline market. Both Boxer and Brown were prompted by the plant's United Steelworkers union and the California-based Consumer Watchdog to look into the allegations.

Meltdown 101: Why Gas Prices Rise While Oil Drops

January 16, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog says production cuts at refineries in California, for example, have far exceeded the state's drop in consumption. "The refinery cutbacks are for purely financial reasons," said Judy Dugan, the organization's research director. "Now is the time for government to insert sharper oversight and regulatory controls of the refining industry."

Gas Prices In California Jump Despite Oil’s Drop

January 13, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

The average price soars 25 cents to $1.988 a gallon in less than a month, while the U.S. average rises 10 cents to $1.784. Reduced production of California-grade gas is blamed. Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog accused California refiners of manipulating the market to increase gasoline prices in the state.

Don’t Get Used To Cheap Oil, Analysts Say

January 12, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Another part of the problem, said Judy Dugan, research director for the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, is that oil companies didn't invest enough in new exploration over the past several years, as they raked in billions in profits."They're screaming, 'Drill, baby, drill,' but they didn't invest anywhere near where they should have been investing when prices were high," she said. "Now that prices have crashed, they say prices are too low, knowing full well prices are going to go back up."

Gas Prices Heading Back Up

January 10, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

In part, it's the result of a brief rally in the market for crude oil, gasoline's main ingredient. At the same time, gas refineries have been cutting production in a bid to reduce supplies and shore up prices. And that infuriates some oil industry critics, who say the refiners are trying to squeeze the market. "Look at the economy - nothing else is going up in price," said Judy Dugan, research director with the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog. "That's not the case with fuel, and that's because there are so few players - especially in California - controlling the production."

Deja Vu for a Troubled Refinery

January 10, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Shell Oil Co. faces mounting criticism from consumer advocates and union officials. A powerful politician says the state may need to step in to save the plant and keep gasoline prices from skyrocketing. Haven’t we been here before? Oh yeah — this all happened in 2004-05. Same refinery (the one on Rosedale Highway), same corporations (Shell and Flying J Inc.), same politicians (Sen. Barbara Boxer and the state attorney general).

Gasoline Price In State Leaps 20¢ In Week

January 10, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Mideast Conflict, Natural Gas Dispute Raise Cost Of Oil, But It's Retreating Again Judy Dugan, researcher for Consumer Watchdog, said in an e-mail that the fluctuating crude oil and gasoline prices should be of concern to citizens. "Consumers saw last summer how high prices can go, so a 20-cent increase in a couple of weeks would scare anyone, especially since there's no good reason for the increase," Dugan wrote. "Other kinds of products certainly aren't going up." She said it's relatively easy for refineries and oil companies to manipulate prices and people should insist on more regulation from Congress.

Controversy Boils at Idled Refinery

January 9, 2009 · Consumer Watchdog

Shell Oil Co. is putting the squeeze on a financially troubled Bakersfield refinery it sold in 2005 to Big West Oil, which could lead to the closing of the operation and potentially higher gasoline prices for California motorists, according to consumer activists and a union representing plant workers.

Gasoline Prices Fall In U.S. But Edge Up In California, Raising Concern

December 31, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

The U.S. average drops 4 cents in the last week to $1.613 a gallon. California's average climbs 0.4 cent to $1.810. Some groups blame refiners for a reduction in stockpiles. The increase has caused concern among groups such as Consumer Watchdog, which blamed California refiners for a sharp drop in stockpiles of the higher grade gasoline required to meet the state's air pollution thresholds. The Santa Monica advocacy group said the refiners were seeking increased profits by sending more of their output to other states.

Anti-Big-Business Group Urges Obama to Increase Oil Company Regulation

December 30, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- A self-described anti-big-business group is calling on President-elect Barack Obama and Energy Department designee Steven Chu to step up regulation of the oil and refining industries as part of efforts to stabilize the economy and shift to greener energy. Citing a poll conducted in early December by a Caravan Opinion Research and Grove Insight, the California-based group wrote to the new administration claiming Americans favor more regulation of the oil and refining industries by a two-to-one margin.

Dem Official: Obama Taps Mary Schapiro To Head SEC

December 17, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

WASHINGTON, DC — President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Mary Shapiro, a veteran of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to lead and revitalize the agency now facing growing criticism for its failure to protect investors at a time of unprecedented market turmoil. But Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, Calif., said a more strongly pro-investor regulator was needed to lead the SEC.

Warmer Weather Means Less Gas In Your Tank

December 4, 2008 · Consumer Watchdog

California drivers were overcharged $376.4 million on gasoline in one year because fuel pumps don't adjust for changing temperatures, according to a state study. And that has consumer advocates livid.