Free Republic

Market manipulation could be behind the fact that California drivers pay more for gasoline than the rest of the country, the Lost Angeles Times reports, citing a statement by the California Energy Commission. “The Energy Commission has identified a number of possible causes that could explain the residual price increase in California, ranging from refinery outages to potentially market manipulation,” the statement, sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, said. The commissions said it has identified several possible reasons for the fact that as of Friday, drivers in California paid an average of US$4.05 per gallon of gasoline, which was US$1.20 higher...

The quest was a noble one: To develop, and help bring to market, new energy technologies that are better for the environment, provide greater system reliability and lower system costs, while furnishing “tangible benefits to electric utility customers.” Well, electric utility customers, you’ve shelled out $700 million for this noble effort since 1996, and what have you gotten? Precious little that could be even loosely interpreted as “tangible benefits,” concludes a report by the Legislative Analyst’s Office. TENUOUS CONNECTIONS Meet the state’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, built into your electric bill as a “public goods” charge. It has...

Reporting from Sacramento — California electricity users have paid $700 million in surcharges for research on clean and efficient energy production, but not all of the money may have been well spent and the program should be overhauled or killed, state officials say in a new report. Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor has concluded .. about 10% of the money collected by the California Energy Commission was spent on research not directly related to the purpose of the surcharges. Questionable grants .. research on deforestation, salmon habitat restoration and "the potential impact of climate change on bird distribution," .. ... The...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named Karen Douglas the new chair of the California Energy Commission on Thursday. Douglas, 34, has served on the commission since last year. Before that, she was the director of the California Climate Initiative at Environmental Defense. A Democrat, she'll earn $132,179. The position requires Senate confirmation.

Californians may soon have to deal with climate change on a different scale -- and this time the culprit isn't greenhouse gas. The California Energy Commission is proposing a plan which allows the government to regulate household thermostats in the event of an "energy crisis." Under the proposed rules, all new thermostats will be fitted with technology that will allow the government to adjust the temperature of someone's home by plus or minus four degrees. Originally the plans called for mandatory compliance; however, amid public outcry, the plans have been slightly altered to allow an individual to turn off the...

In its first comprehensive look at nuclear power in nearly 30 years, the California Energy Commission recommended Friday that the state continue its moratorium on construction of nuclear plants. The commission issued a report that was triggered by the "renewed enthusiasm" about nuclear power in Washington and overseas, commissioner John Geesman said. California has barred construction of nuclear plants since 1976. The 198-page report puts California at odds with the Bush administration, which has advocated nuclear power development in the face of rising gas prices and as a way to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. The Energy Commission...

DALLAS — The Texas Railroad Commission, which dates to 1891 and for decades used its power to limit production in the world's most important oil fields, soon could undergo a face-lift and lose its storied name. A bill pending in the Legislature would rename the agency the Texas Energy Commission. The commission would keep authority over the state's oil and gas industry, but the Department of Transportation would take over the commission's original job of railroad regulation. Changing the commission's name and duties has been discussed for years but got new life from a council created by Gov. Rick Perry...