Gas users overpaid millions, CUB says (Enron and People's Gas)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0501110283jan11,1,4528555.story?coll=chi-business-hed

Natural gas customers in Chicago were overcharged at least $149 million in the winter of 2000-01 through a secret deal between Peoples Gas and Enron Corp., the Citizens Utility Board said Monday in documents filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

CUB said natural gas prices reached an all-time high that bitterly cold winter, when gas bills for many consumers more than doubled, partly because of a deal between Peoples and Enron that heavily favored Enron.

"It was a painful winter for consumers, and it was made more painful by this dirty deal," said Martin Cohen, executive director of CUB, which said customers are due an average refund of $163 each.

Peoples categorically denied that it has done anything wrong.

[eleonora]

1. and there's *nothing* we can do, as usual

Bleh...

[Deja Q]

2. We, the people... can do nothing.

Sad, isn't it?

We aren't a country. We're a gaggle of corporations with human capital.

[tom_paine]

16. Imperial Amerika isn't about people, silly!

It's about consumption, apathy, brand-name product placement, excess, greed, advertising and all the rest of the psychomanipulative sciences that have forged these softc hains of the New Toatlitarianism that I call BushPutinism.

It is also about recereating the medias of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, with emphasis on the illusion of free discourse far moreso than those regime found necessary.

(their nations were not conceived in Liberty nor did they have the longstanding traditions along thos elines that required the massive deception of the Busheviks)

[NYC]

3. Where is Kenny Boy Lay?

Anyone seen or heard from him lately?

Why, when a crime has been committed, is it allowed to stand?

[daleo]

6. I suppose he is lying low until Bush gives him the pardon.

You can be he will get a pardon.

[NYC]

7. Doesn't he have to be convicted

before he can be pardoned?

[daleo]

8. Ford gave Nixon some kind of pardon.

I don't know if Nixon had actually been charged yet - maybe the initial stages of impeachment were sufficient. Or, maybe the phrase "blanket pardon" covers this.

In a pinch I suppose Bush could get some charges going, then do a pardon. I figure they will find a way.

[UpInArms]

9. Poppy pardoned Casper Weinberger

when he was under indictment - prior to trial -

http://www.stormpages.com/bkdesigns2/republicancrooks.html

Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger- Indicted June 16, 1992, on five counts of obstruction, perjury and false statements in connection with congressional and Independent Counsel investigations of Iran/ contra - Pardoned by Pres George Bush before trial.

I believe he did it on Christmas Eve (as a present).

[NYC]

10. Okay, thanks.

I guess they (he) can pardon people for any and all future crimes, in a sense. Here'a pardon, just in case you are convicted. Oh, well.

[daleo]

12. It is like monopoly - a get out of jail free card.

Guess who Bush thinks owns "Community Chest". Now he is also printing up currency like it was monopoly money.

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

4. Wish they'd investigate the same in Pittsburgh

I paid $640 for one month of NG to Peoples that winter.

DBDB

[NYC]

11. Even if they investigated, would you ever get a refund?

I doubt it.

[RamboLiberal]

13. I got a check for 15 cents from a settlement of

a home mortgage company who were screwing over their customers.

Wow - that sure made up for things.

I still cashed the damned thing on principal.

[shanti]

15. just ask us folks

here in california, whether you'll get a "refund" or not. you probably know the answer to that one!

[TheFarseer]

5. I love our public power in Nebraska

Of course some corrupt assholes want to sell it to some corporation. If it ever happens, those representatives responsible for the sale should be hung for treason against Nebraska.

[phusion]

14. This is exactly what...

This is exactly the crap that Dennis Kucinich fought against as mayor of Cleveland.

Very proud of and confident in my public power/gas company in New Mexico.

[newscott]

17. I've got public power & gas in my little town

and it's great.

My rates are probably less than half what folks close to and in Boston pay.

It's a great concept.