The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "energy crisis" ...
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The Price of Power
Investigating the effects of Texas' five-year transition to full energy deregulation, KDFW-TV finds that the original assertion that more competition will reduce rates and increase choices, may have been incorrect. In this 27-part series, KDFW found that electricity prices in Texas were twice as high as the national average, they remained high even as fuel costs fell and those who supported and created deregulation profited greatly from the situation. The Federal Courts have not intervened, nor does the State Regulator have the power to step in.
Tags: Energy; energy deregulation; Governor George W. Bush; energy costs; power; fuel prices; power crisis
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Series of Stories on U.S. Energy Policy
These stories from Time magazine look at an energy crisis that the U.S. is likely to face. The story reveals that for three decades, the government has not adopted or stuck to any significant energy policy. Subsequent government policies have in fact been marked by sharp reversals of the previous ones.
Tags: Energy; Energy crisis; Government policies; energy bills; oil prices; gas prices; consumption of electricity
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Energy Alley
Due to deregulation, energy became part of a full-blown commodity market. In the midst of the power crisis in California, Jurgens travelled to Houston to figure out the complex world of the energy giants that played a major part. It would be a scant few months before companies like Enron became embroiled in a financial wrongdoing controversy.
Tags: energy; energy crisis; enron; reliant; gas; electricity; commodities
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Duke Power and the Commissioner
KGTV-TV reports on the behind-the-scene role of David Malcolm, member of the San Diego Port Commission, in a "historic deal that put Duke Energy Power services in position to operate the Southbay Power plant, located on port land." Malcolm acted as consultant for Duke Energy and was involved with the company on business deals to acquire power plants. Another major finding is that during the energy crisis in California the Southbay plant had power to spare but this fact remained hidden from the public. After the series aired, the manager at the Duke plants was replaced, and Malcolm resigned. The contest entry file includes supporting materials, among which some Southbay plant's internal documents, press releases, and stories published by the Orange County Register and the San-Diego Union Tribune.
Tags: politics; power plants; electric deregulation; conflicts of interest; litigation; land
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Energy Crisis
CBS News investigates the California energy crisis. The investigation found secret meetings between executives of natural gas companies and pipeline operators, price manipulation by Duke Energy, which bought four power plants after deregulation, and sealed testimony about power plants shut down to keep prices high.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; California energy crisis; whistle-blowers; Federal Energy Commission
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California Utilities' Donations Shed Light on Blackout Crisis
In an effort to find a fresh angle to the California energy crisis, the Center for Public Integrity discovers that the major utilities in the troubled state have spent tens of millions of dollars toward political activities since 1994. Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., Edison International and Sempra Energy in an all-out effort put a total of $39 million in 1998 "to defeat Proposition 9, a statewide referendum that would have overturned parts of the 1996 deregulation law." The moneys were spent on campaign contributions to "a handful of select lawmakers," lobbying activities, gifts, travel and other compensation, including those from industry-backed non-profit organizations.
Tags: utilities; energy; Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); personal financial disclosure reports; consumer advocacy; deregulation; CAR
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Power Struggle: California's Engineered Energy Crisis and the Potential of Public Power
Multinational Monitor investigates how huge oil and gas companies close to George W. Bush have profited from the energy crisis in California. "The blackouts ... have many causes. But neither a shortfall a supply nor a surge in demand for electricity is among them," the magazine points out. The story finds that California's consumers and taxpayers are victims of a massive, complex double-theft, first by the biggest electric power utilities, and second by some of the president's closest associates and contributors. Another finding is that the U.S. barons of fossil and nuclear fuel have used the crisis as " a pretext to declare an all-out assault on environmental protection."
Tags: American Public Power Project; environmental protection; oil; gas; president; utilities; deregulation; power plants; electric market; Public Media Center; Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights; California and U.S. Public Interest Research Groups; American Public Power Project; Concerned Stockholders of California; Dick Cheney; Federal Electrical Regulatory Commission; PG&E Corporation
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Power Play
USA Weekend reports on the energy crisis in California. The article predicts that the ominous blackout scenes there are "merely the opening acts of a drama coming soon to an energy plant near you." The reporter examines the technology industry's concerns about the severity of the crisis, and looks at the role of California's Independent System Operator in overseeing the state electrical grid.
Tags: energy; California; power; consumers; NaviSite; Silicon Valley; politics; electricity; blackouts
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The Energy Crunch
San Francisco Chronicle follows the controversies surrounding the energy crisis in California over a 10-month period. The package of stories examines the political manipulations relating to the talks between the energy companies and the state and federal regulators. Some of the articles also look at how the energy deregulation approach has been applied in other states and with what results. One of the findings is that "despite the huge run-up in prices and revenues, only a handful of regulators today can say whether the energy wholesalers are engaged in brazenly illegal price-fixing, merely unethical market manipulation or just good business." The investigation exposes "the veil of official secrecy that allows the companies to bid on lucrative energy deals behind closed doors."
Tags: California Public Utilities Commission; San Diego Gas & Electric; Enron Corp.; consumers; taxpayers; wholesale costs; Pacific Gas and Electric Co.; bankruptcy; Edison; El Paso Natural Gas; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; power plants; blackouts; electricity; Duke Energy Corp.; California Power Exchange; economy; business; market; SoCalGas; Mexico; Pennsylvania; Nevada; deregulation; nuclear power; coal; environment; Green Mountain Energy
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Grid Lock; California Power Crisis: Blackouts and Lawsuits And No End In Sight
The Wall Street Journal reports on the energy crisis in California. The state's economy is threatened as players in the power industry contend over solutions. "The crisis will be an early test for George W. Bush and his cabinet," the Journal reports.
Tags: energy crisis; California Independent System Operator; blackouts; California Unfair Competition Act