Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Energy

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

Rising Cost of Electricity

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR:  To our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.<br/> <br/> You may have noticed the cost of electricity is rising along with seemingly everything else. Some experts are now warning the time may soon come when you...
Oil Lifts Consumer-Product Prices, Too

Oil Lifts Consumer-Product Prices, Too

<strong>Due to soaring oil prices, everyday consumer items including plastic bags, shampoo, and diapers cost more.</strong> <p> Many American consumers winced when gas prices hit $4 a gallon. But the price of oil has had an impact beyond...</p>
Lobbying Increases with Oil Prices

Lobbying Increases with Oil Prices

<p> <strong>Industry spent nearly 62 percent more between 2004 and 2007<br/> <br/> THE OIL LOBBY<br/> Expenditures for federal lobbying by the oil and gas industry:<br/> <br/> • 2004: $51.8 million<br/> <br/> •...</strong> </p>
Brits skeptical of Arnold’s green cred

Brits skeptical of Arnold’s green cred

<p> This story appeared in the British <em>Daily Telegraph</em> today, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2225950/Arnold-Schwarzenegger-dents-green-credentials-with-Dodge-Challenger.html">questioning </a><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2225950/Arnold-Schwarzenegger-dents-green-credentials-with-Dodge-Challenger.html">whether Governor Schwarzenegger's commitment to reducing greenhouse gases is only skin-deep</a>...  </p>
Oil Spike, Jobs Report Pummel Stock Market

Oil Spike, Jobs Report Pummel Stock Market

An unprecedented spike in crude oil prices followed the release of a dour unemployment report Friday, sending the stock market to its worst losses in months.<br/> <br/> By the end of the day, hopes that the economy’s slowdown was nearly...
Life In The $4 Lane

Life In The $4 Lane

<strong>Rising fuel costs eat into profits and curb fun, yet boost wealth for some</strong> <p> Like invisible fumes spreading across the ground and through the air, gasoline -- more specifically its rising cost -- is creeping into almost...</p>
It’s Here: Gas Hits $4 In KC Area

It’s Here: Gas Hits $4 In KC Area

Four dollars and rising. <p> Soaring oil prices have pushed the average price of premium gasoline in the Kansas City area past $4 a gallon for the first time. Other fuel grades, including regular, appear poised to follow. </p> <p> Pre...</p>