OLYMPIA -- Washington will receive $3.25 million as part of a multi-state settlement with Duke Energy, according to Attorney General Christine Gregoire.

"This resolves claims that Duke overcharged for wholesale electricity during the 2000-01 energy crisis," Gregoire said.

Duke was one of several companies the attorneys general of Washington, Oregon and California investigated regarding claims of market manipulation and overcharges. During the 2000-2001 energy crisis electricity rates skyrocketed for Washington consumers.

Seattle -Aug. 23, 2000- A lawsuit filed today against three Washington travel companies is part of a coordinated nationwide effort to crack down on unscrupulous travel and timeshare operators, Attorney General Christine Gregoire announced.

The companies are accused of using misleading and deceptive tactics, failing to deliver on promises, and trying to sell interests in timeshare properties not registered in Washington state.

Olympia -March 6, 2000 - A settlement announced today involving the planned merger of US West and Quest Communications is designed to ensure that Washington customers receive adequate and affordable service from the merged company, Attorney General Christine Gregoire said.

The agreement was reached by the Attorney General's Office, the staff of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), US West, and Qwest. The agreement now must receive approval from the WUTC, and will only become binding when the companies complete the merger.

SEATTLE - July 31, 1998 - The Attorney General's Office today took action against travel sellers in Yakima and Bellevue for allegedly failing to deliver the travel purchased and deceiving consumers about cancellation rights and refund policies.

“People take vacations to get away from their troubles, not add to them, ” said Attorney General Christine Gregoire, “Not only were vacations unexpectedly canceled, consumers never got their money back.”

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Gary Locke and Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that Washington state intends to sue the federal Department of Energy (DOE) to halt further shipments of waste to Hanford because the agency has not fully complied with federal environmental laws.

Next week, attorneys for the state will ask a federal judge for permission to expand the state's original lawsuit, Washington v. Abraham, to include low-level and mixed low-level radioactive waste. The original lawsuit, filed in 2003, involves only shipments of transuranic waste.

SEATTLE - April 1, 1999 - Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced a Renton-based travel club has agreed to pay the state close to a half million dollars for failing to deliver on promises that consumers who purchase club memberships would save thousands of dollars in airfare and other travel expenses.

"To take advantage of these so-called savings, you would have to constantly be on the go," said Gregoire. "Red flags should go up if your membership fees are more than what you would spend in a year for travel."

OLYMPIA -- Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire and Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers today put the federal government on notice that they will sue the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) if the department refuses to assess the environmental harm caused by decades of nuclear weapons production at Hanford.

Seattle - February 8, 2000- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced that three Florida travel companies who used "lifestyles of the rich and famous" spokesperson Robin Leach, have settled two lawsuits filed against them by agreeing to pay consumers refunds for "dream vacations."

"Those ‘dream vacations’ turned out to be disappointing nightmares," said Gregoire. "These travel companies used deceptive sales tactics and Robin Leach’s celebrity status to deliver false promises of a luxurious vacation that did not exist."

SEATTLE - February 4, 1999 - Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire and six other states filed suit today against two Florida travel companies, their owners, and “lifestyles of the rich and famous” pitchman Robin Leach, alleging they mislead unsuspecting consumers into believing they had won or were entitled to the vacation of their dreams.

“Champagne wishes and caviar dreams turned into bitter regrets and vacation nightmares for consumers responding to this come-on,” said Attorney General Christine Gregoire. “There was nothing free or fabulous in this offer.”

Seattle - Sept. 28, 2000 - As part of its settlement with Toys "R" Us and three toy manufacturers – Hasbro, Mattel and Little Tikes – the Attorney General’s office has awarded nearly $275,000 in grants to programs that benefit children throughout Washington state.

The grants were awarded to 27 different programs by a panel appointed by Attorney General Christine Gregoire. The grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000.