Podcasts & Audio
Podcasts & Audio
- (1)
- Energy (8)
- Featured (1)
- Gasoline & Autos (7)
- Internet & Media (1)
- Telecommunications (7)
- Water (3)
A discussion with KVMR public radio on telecommunications billing and consumer protection laws
Northern California public radio station KVMR's Brian Bahouth discusses telecommunications billing with UCAN attorney Art Neill.
PODCAST: Part 3 - Proposed legislation regarding mandatory arbitration agreements
PODCAST: This is Part 3 of a three part series of podcasts in which UCAN attorney Art Neill discusses arbitration with expert Linda Fritz, an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law for over 15 years who has arbitrated over 600 cases and mediated over 1000.
Look out for UCAN's guide to arbitration coming in the near future.
Ms. Fritz has a website at http://conflictresolution.com
This podcast was produced by the New Media Rights Studio, a project of UCAN.
PODCAST: Part 2 - Cell phone contracts, mandatory arbitration agreements, and how they affect consumers
PODCAST: This is Part 2 of a three part series of podcasts in which UCAN attorney Art Neill discusses arbitration with expert Linda Fritz, an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law for over 15 years who has arbitrated over 600 cases and mediated over 1000.
Look out for UCAN's guide to arbitration coming in the near future.
Ms. Fritz has a website at http://conflictresolution.com
This podcast was produced by the New Media Rights Studio, a project of UCAN.
PODCAST: Part 1 - The basics of Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, mediation and how they affect consumers
PODCAST: This is Part 1 of a three part series of podcasts in which UCAN attorney Art Neill discusses arbitration with expert Linda Fritz, an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law for over 15 years who has arbitrated over 600 cases and mediated over 1000.
Look out for UCAN's guide to arbitration coming in the near future.
Ms. Fritz has a website at http://conflictresolution.com
This podcast was produced by the New Media Rights Studio, a project of UCAN.
AUDIO: Drop in gas prices due to political pressure and less consumer demand
Listen to UCAN gas analyst Charles Langley's explanation for the current price of gas on KPBS.
AUDIO: The price of oil is going up...why not the price of gasoline?
AUDIO: Listen to UCAN gas analyst Charles Langley discuss the reason behind the recent decline in gas prices with KCRW's Warren Olney
PODCAST: Mayor Sander's newest sewer and water rate increases
PODCAST: UCAN's Brandon Weiner attended Mayor Sander's sewer and water rate presentation at the Rancho Bernardo Library and spoke with Dr. Timothy Bertch, Director of Mertropolitan Wastewater. Join Brandon as he interviews Dr. Bertch and shares his thoughts on the rate proposal. Listen
PODCAST: Michael Shames argues against SDG&E's Sunrise powerline
PODCAST: UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, discusses why UCAN is opposed to SDG&E Sunrise powerline with Brandon Weiner. Also, find out the role Governor Schwarzenegger and the current political climate plays in the potential construction of the powerline. Listen here.
PODCAST: Michael Shames breaks down the SDG&E rate case
PODCAST: UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, discusses the major issues involved in San Diego Gas and Electric's 2007 rate request with Brandon Weiner. If you have questions about your utility rates, or are interested in the future of energy usage in San Diego, then this podcast is a must listen. Music courtesy of wonder bunny.
AUDIO: Officials debate the Sunrise Powerlink on KPBS
KPBS San Diego: Listen to Michael Shames debate Sunrise along with representatives from SDG&E, CALISO, and the CA State Parks Foundation.
AUDIO: Gas prices may rise come 4th of July
AUDIO: UCAN gas analyst Charles Langley tells KPBS San Diego that falling gas prices may soon rise.
PODCAST: Netflix gift card subscriptions
PODCAST: Listen to UCAN legal intern Carter Knopke explain what he found concerning Netflix's questionable gift subscription practices to Brandon Weiner on the UCAN.org podcast. Listen here or read Carter's blog on Netflix here. Music by wonder bunny.
AUDIO: How to cancel your cell phone contract interview with Art Neill on KNX 1070
UCAN staff attorney Art Neill talks with Bob McCormick of KNX 1070's Money 101 about cancelling your cell phone contract. Listen here.
AUDIO: SDG&E alleged to have hid information in order to boost rates
KPBS San Diego: UCAN has filed a motion against San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), a subsidiary of Sempra Utilities, for unlawfully failing to disclose documents that include a major cost-cutting plan. It is not known how the previously undisclosed plan will affect SDG&E's proposed $1.5 billion rate increase. Listen here.
AUDIO: UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames appears on KPBS' "These Days"
UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, talks to KPBS "These Days" host Tom Fudge about the latest SDG&E rate increase, skyrocketing gas prices, and recent San Diego City Council decision to approve a controversial water and sewer rate hike.
AUDIO: Partnerships between competitors is bad for gas prices
A very brief radio story by Phil Farrar about how the cost of oil is the same as last year, but our gas prices are higher. Why? In part because California refineries have supply trading agreements with each other. These agreements keep gasoline away from the spot market which drives up the price.
AUDIO: UCAN gas and oil analyst Charles Langley on KOGO AM 600
UCAN's gas and oil expert, Charles Langley, talks to KOGO AM 600's Phil Farrar about rising gas prices throughout San Diego.
PODCAST: Victory for Low Income Consumers in California!
Videos
- Energy (13)
- Gasoline & Autos (2)
- Money & Privacy (1)
- Telecommunications (4)
- Video (40)
UCAN investigates: Are insurance companies failing to pay doctors ?
John Mattes, UCAN investigative reporter interviews Dr. Sherry L. Franklin about doctors having a difficult time being paid by big insurance companies.
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- 549 plays
UCAN investigates San Diego water rate increase
UCAN's embedded reporter John Mattes investigates a nearly $4 increase on your bill for water each month ! Do something about it!
Grab the protest form from the UCAN website and mail it in to: CITY CLERK, MAIL STATION NO. 2P, CITY ADMINISTRATION BLDG., 202 C STREET, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
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- 648 plays
UCAN investigates cell phone kiosks
John Mattes, UCAN's embedded reporter, goes out in the field to investigate cell phone kiosks which house "authorized retailers". They make customers sign additional contracts for new phones and plans, that include hidden fees of more than $100 dollars.
DON'T BUY A MOBILE PHONE WITHOUT UCAN'S CELLPHONE PLAN CHECKER and check out NEW MEDIA RIGHTS CREATIVE COMMONS HOW-TO AND LEGAL GUIDES
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- 3034 plays
The Aquaponics Challenge with Michael Shames (in less than 3 minutes)
Time lapse of the construction of Michael's new aquaponics system in his garage and a challenge to traditional gardening.
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- 2 min 57 sec
- 51.41 MB
- 766 plays
The Fraud Squad Network
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? Get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad by using our Online Complaint Forms. Once you've filled out a complaint, call the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966!
- 1 comment
- 1 min 30 sec
- 8.89 MB
- 702 plays
The Hose Whisperer Teaches Water Conservation
Learn to conserve water, meet the hose whisperer!
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- 2 min 50 sec
- 22.69 MB
- 1378 plays
How to Hack Your Cell Phone with a Dancing Darth Vader
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- 1 min 38 sec
- 13 MB
- 3445 plays
UCAN Oil Hog 2008
Every year the UCAN Oil Hog makes an appearance in order to predict gas prices for the coming year. Unfortunately, piggy got quite upset this year. Normally, oil piggies are free to gouge consumers without fear of repercussions...but that all changes in election years. WATCH PIGGY DANCE
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- 1 min 41 sec
- 8.9 MB
- 728 plays
Michael Shames appears on the Dr. Phil show
Michael Shames makes an appearance on Dr. Phil to tell 75-yr-old Mona Shaw that instead of smashing up a Comcast office with a hammer, she could have found a consumer advocacy group like UCAN to resolve her issue. Watch here or read more about Mona Shaw's struggle with her phone service.
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- 59 sec
- 5.81 MB
- 2146 plays
SDG&E Director of Distribution Caroline Winn questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings
Caroline Winn refuses to back up statements made in a report produced by her department in this entertaining clip from the rate setting hearings. Watch now.
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- 7 min 43 sec
- 4.79 MB
- 3076 plays
Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 4
Watch Part 4 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.
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- 14 min 40 sec
- 8.34 MB
- 2524 plays
Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 3
Watch Part 3 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.
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- 11 min 58 sec
- 8.08 MB
- 2349 plays
Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 2
Watch Part 2 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.
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- 11 min 27 sec
- 7.08 MB
- 2555 plays
Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 1
Watch Part 1 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.
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- 10 min
- 6.84 MB
- 2809 plays
City of San Diego's water and sewer rate presentation July 23, 2007
Watch San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders present, and defend, his sewer and water rate increase proposal. The 27min. video also includes a "public comments" session.
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- 27 min
- 17.56 MB
- 3555 plays
Sunrise hearings: Michael Shames cross examines SDG&E VP Jim Avery
Watch UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, grill SDG&E VP Jim Avery in this excerpt of cross examination concerning energy derived from biomass.
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- 2 min 45 sec
- 6.12 MB
- 3343 plays
SDG&E's Unbalanced Accounts
SDG&E wants to increase San Diego utility rates by $1.4 billion over the next six years. UCAN, along with three teams of auditors, have figures that suggest San Diego ratepayers should see a decrease. There is also evidence to suggest SDG&E has been "cooking the books" in addition to gaming the rate-setting process. Watch the UCAN press conference.
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- 6 min 44 sec
- 15.15 MB
- 2704 plays
Special Agent 00K9 Introduces UCAN
Special Agent 00K9, UCAN's most Elite consumer advocate, introduces UCAN, drinks a martini, and slobbers alot. Learn more about UCAN and our expert staff in the About Us section.
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- 1 min 58 sec
- 11.81 MB
- 1155 plays
Mobile Phone Plan Checker
This consumer uses the Mobile Phone Plan Checker to weed through wild sales pitches. See our guide to Misleading Advertising in Cellular Phone Sales for other helpful tips.
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- 2 min 33 sec
- 12.03 MB
- 742 plays
A Tiny Oversight
The fine print on your cell phone contract contains things you'd never expect! Make sure you're not caught off guard by checking out our guide to Reading the Fine Print.
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- 1 min 31 sec
- 9.66 MB
- 595 plays
A Call to Arms
A consumer finds it particularly difficult to deal with her wireless company's poor customer service. Make sure it doesn't happen to you by reading our guide to Dealing with Poor Customer Service.
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- 2 min 33 sec
- 15.38 MB
- 580 plays
Sunrise Powerlink - Extreme Debates!
Michael Shames debates SDG&E and reveals the shocking(pun, get it?) truth on the Sunrise Powerlink. Another EXTREME debate! For more info on UCAN's involvement and criticism of the Powerlink, see our Sunrise Powerlink Issue Center.
Meter Miss - EXTREME Debates!
SDG&E's proposal to change 700,000 San Diego energy meters gets scrutinized from the consumer's point of view. For an in-depth look at SDG&E's proposal, check out our Advanced Metering Initiative Issue Center.
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- 3 min 45 sec
- 8.56 MB
- 719 plays
Underdog Michael Shames vs. Big Oil Hog
UCAN's "Guzzler Buster" helps Underdog Michael Shames, aka the "World's Greatest Consumer," fight back against The Big Oil Hog, aka the "bloated oil company taking excessive profits at the expense of consumers." Read our Gas Saving Tips and fight the gouge.
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Utility Consumers' Action Network
(619) 696-6966 or file a complaint about a company online.
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