Energy

Oil Spike, Jobs Report Pummel Stock Market

June 6, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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...

Six Fixes For Pricey Gasoline

June 5, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Ideas to help people ease the burden of high gas prices are swirling in Washington. Will any of them work?

Life In The $4 Lane

June 1, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

May 23, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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>

‘Hot Fuel’ Adds To Pain At The Pump

May 23, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> A survey shows that Californians could be overpaying as much as $3.4 million a day as heat makes gas expand.<br/> <br/> Soaring gasoline prices are bad enough. But this summer, California's higher temperatures could add an additional...</p>

Hot Fuel Adds To Cost Of U.S. Summer Gasoline

May 22, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

NEW YORK, NY -- As if paying $4 a gallon isn't bad enough, U.S. drivers will soon face another gasoline price burden as the summer heat dilutes the amount of driving power delivered per gallon, industry watchdogs said on Thursday. <p>...</p>

Squeezed At Both Ends — Independent Refiners Watch Profits Sink As Consumption Falls

May 14, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

While drivers are facing sticker shock at the pump these days, here is a bigger shock: high prices are putting a strain on oil refiners.<br/> <br/> After last year’s stellar profits, American refiners are going through a traumatic period....

Record Oil Company Earnings Haven’t Trickled Down to Gas Stations

May 11, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

BOUNTIFUL, UT -- During the first week in May, Doug Olson sold fuel at a loss.<br/> <br/> The co-owner of Slim Olson's gas stations in Bountiful and Woods Cross charged customers $4.25 for a gallon of diesel — despite purchasing it from...

Prices at the Pump Up at Dawn, Some by 20 Cents

May 9, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Some gas stations in Arkansas raised regular by 20 cents overnight as record-setting oil futures gave retail prices a hefty boost Thursday.<br/> <br/> The record state average of $3.52 for regular trailed those pacesetters but nevertheless has...

Chevron Commits to ‘Alt’ Energy

May 7, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Chevron Corp. will spend $2.5 billion on alternative and renewable energy technologies, part of its push to develop new kinds of energy, the company said Wednesday. <p> San Ramon-based Chevron said it expects to spend the money over a...</p>

Taxing Oil Profits: Proceed With Caution

May 6, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>Politicians are dying to get at more of Big Oil's billions, but analysts are torn about what that will do to prices or future energy sources.</strong><br/> <br/> NEW YORK, NY -- Politicians are eyeing oil profits like a fat...</p>

Tired of Paying Through the Nose, Americans Try Praying at the Pump

May 5, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <span class="SS_L3"><span class="verdana">WASHINGTON, DC -- </span></span>At a Shell gas station in Washington, Rocky Twyman and an unusual group of activists were mad as hell about soaring fuel prices. </p> <p> "Last week,...</p>