Gas prices have jumped 1.5¢ in the last 24 hours. Hurricane-fueled buying of raw gasoline on the New York MERC is making waves at the wholesale level in California. Expect jumps at the gas pump this weekend. Analysis.

Gas prices will probably climb slightly this weekend. More.

The California Public Utilities Commission is holding Public Participation Hearings and Public Workshops throughout July in various locations across the state of California. 

On June 9, 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 3-2 to open an Investigation into the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile. The three votes in favor of opening the investigation were also (not coincidentally) the three newest Commissioners appointed by Governor Brown.

New Media Rights and UCAN urged the CPUC to open an investigation in a letter responding to AT&T’s advice letter notifying the CPUC of it’s intent to merge assets. As the CPUC has heeded that request, UCAN will participate in the CPUC Investigation along with New Media Rights and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. This will be our next step in opposing the merger, the organizations have already jointly filed a Petition to Deny the merger with the FCC.

We've long stated that installing solar panels on your home may be the best investment/improvement you can make in your home.   One of the most compelling reasons is that it is an investment that not only appreciates the value of your home but also generates "cash" for you by reducing your energy bill.  It turns out that this particular investment may appreciate your home value by appx. $17,000 for a 3.1 watt system according to a recent Berkeley Labs report.   Now here's the real kicker -- the out of pocket cost of a 3.1 watt PV system (after tax deductions and rebates) should amount to less than $15,000.    So for a $15,000 investment you can appreciate the value of your home by MORE than your investment plus get, essentially, "free" electricity for as long as you are in that home. 

The Public Purpose Programs charge that appears on your monthly utility bill is assessed to pay for various programs required by California law and/or the California Public Utilities Commission. Those programs include renewable resource energy technologies; energy efficiency; research, development and demonstration; and low-income programs. Currently there are six programs being funded through the Public Purpose Programs charge.

Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges, three of the most dreaded words in the English language for anyone who likes to communicate by wireless telecommunications service. Federal, State, and Local governments have chosen phone service as a place to charge consumers in order to pay for any number of things. They have also decided to cut the carriers a break and allow them to directly pass through charges assessed to the phone service providers to their subscribers rather than have them pay the cost and then decide how to incorporate those costs into their service plan offerings. In California, the state currently does not levy a state level tax on wireless phone service, but that does not immunize us from a number of surcharges used to support various programs. If you’re a California with wireless service here is break down of the taxes, fees, and surcharges you see every month.

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is hosting a Forum on May 11, 2011 to examine how government, business, and consumer protection organizations can work together to prevent consumers from receiving unauthorized third-party charges on their phone bills. This practice is known as cramming.