Consumer Watchdog

2 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Ivan Penn

By Ivan Penn, NEW YORK TIMESFor decades, a little-known nonprofit organization has played a central role in keeping the lights on for 65 million people in the Eastern United States. Even some governors and lawmakers acknowledge that they were not fully aware of how much influence the organization, PJM, has on the cost and reliability of energy in 13 states. The electrical grid it manages is the largest in the United States.

2 weeks ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Dan Bacher

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOShttps://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/6/7/2326553/-CA-Senate-Votes-for-Regional-Electricity-Deregulation-Bill-Despite-Concerns-About-TrumpYou know when a MAGA Republican Senator calls a piece of controversial energy legislation a “Big Beautiful Bill” that it isn’t going to serve the residents of the state of California. But that’s what Republican Senator Tony Strickland called SB 540 (Becker).

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Justin Kloczko

By Justin Kloczko, SAN FRANCISCO STANDARDhttps://sfstandard.com/opinion/2025/05/27/were-not-watching-prices-prices-are-watching-usYou’re at home, scrolling online to find a nearby store to buy a TV. You find one, drive to the store and park, then pull up the same TV on your phone. The price jumps from $499 to $599. Why? The retailer is betting that the closer people are, the more they are willing to pay.

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Megan Munce

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEhttps://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/home-insurance-rates-20335120.php#State Farm’s rates for homeowners are set to rise 17% starting next month, and potentially even more in 2026. Are other insurers going to raise rates too? The short answer is almost certainly yes — but not immediately. Prices already have been rising rapidly. Over the past year, nearly every major insurer has implemented a double-digit rate increase — and more is expected.

1 month ago | consumerwatchdog.org | Megan Munce

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEhttps://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/state-farm-insurance-rates-20335755.phpA week after securing approval to raise home insurance rates by an average of 17%, State Farm General revealed plans to ask regulators for an additional 11% increase, as well as considerably higher rates for condo owners and renters.