The below-investment-grade credit ratings plaguing many energy suppliers right now have substantially shrunk the pool of natural gas suppliers that California can tap to meet the 15 Bcf annual supply needs of a coalition of major state and local government facilities, which aggregate their loads through the state General Services Department’s gas-buying program.
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Consumer Reports Gives Deregulation a Failing Grade
Consumer Reports has given deregulation, not just of energy but also four other industries, a scathing rebuke in a new report titled “Deregulated.” While consumers have made some gains under deregulation, Consumer Reports said, on balance they’ve lost ground. “Service has typically deteriorated. Consumer rights have sometimes suffered. Claimed price cuts are often not all they seem. And when free markets have gone bad, deregulated industries have seen no contradiction in getting multi billion-dollar government bailouts,” the study concluded after examining the results of deregulation on five industries that directly impact consumers — airlines, telephone, cable TV, banking and electricity.
Raymond James: Gas Prices in for ‘Wild Ride’
If you thought natural gas prices were volatile last summer, you haven’t seen anything yet, according to Raymond James & Associates. During the peak heat of summer 2001, the company forecasts that gas prices will rise above $6/Mcf, and remain above the $5/Mcf mark in the longer term.
Georgians Give Gas Deregulation a Failing Grade
In an American Public Gas Association (APGA) report releasedthis week, a majority of Georgia residential customers gave gasderegulation in the state a failing mark, with many reporting thattheir bills actually increased or that there was no noticeableeffect. Half of the Georgia commercial customers polled also saidthey were paying higher bills, and gave deregulation a thumbs-downfor that reason.