California's Top Oil Regulator Resigning Amid Battle Over Oil Permits
By Joshua Yeager, KVPR - Los Angeles, CA
January 25, 2023
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Uduak-Joe Ntuk has resigned after three years of leading the Geologic Energy Management Division. But what does the departure of the state’s top oil regulator mean exactly for California? KVPR’s Joshua Yeager explains what one watchdog group is looking for.
California Oil and Gas Regulator Resigns as Critics Point to Drilling Permits Spike
By Ari Plachta and Stephen Hobbs, THE SACRAMENTO BEE
January 20, 2023
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article271382317.html
California’s official responsible for overseeing the oil and gas industry unexpectedly resigned last week, prompting speculation from environmental advocates that Uduak-Joe Ntuk faced pressure to step down after overseeing a recent spike in new drilling permits.
Bid To Undo California Oil Drilling Ban Likely Headed To Ballot
By Anne C. Mulkern, CLIMATE WIRE
December 15, 2022
SAN DIEGO - The oil industry has likely succeeded in its bid to let voters decide whether to keep a new California law banning oil drilling near homes and schools.
Get Ready For A Massive SoCalGas Bill This Month, As Natural Gas Prices Soar
By Russ Mitchell & Rob Nikolewski, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
January 6, 2023
The warning Southern California Gas Co. issued to its customers was unusually blunt: "There's no easy way to put this," the company said. "January bills are likely to be shockingly high."
Oil And Gas Industry Has Spent Over $30 Million In 2021-22 Session Lobbying CA Legislators
By Dan Bacher, ELK GROVE NEWS
December 12, 2022
http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2022/12/oil-and-gas-industry-has-spent-over-30.html
Flush with billions of dollars in record windfall profits, the oil and gas companies in California have been spending big money lately in an attempt to influence the California Legislature and voters and continue the systemic regulatory capture that has fouled California government for decades.
High Gas Costs Hurt California Drivers As Refiners Rake In Huge Profits. These Charts Explain
By Laurence Darmiento, Sean Greene, Vanessa Martínez, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 11, 2022
Amid historically high California gas prices that have drained drivers' wallets, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared the state's oil industry an outlaw.
An Unusual Start To The Legislative Session
By Emily Hoeven, CAL MATTERS
December 5, 2022
https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/12/california-legislature-new-session-2/
Today is shaping up to be a pretty unusual day in Sacramento.
Column: At DWP, The Pay Is Good, The Benefits Are Better And The Deals Keep Getting Sweeter
By Steve Lopez, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 3, 2022
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-03/lopez-column-la-dwp-deals-keep-getting-sweeter
More than once over the years, when people have complained about how hard it is to survive in a low-wage economy with such crippling healthcare costs, I've recommended they apply for work at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
‘Lying and Gouging’: Gov. Newsom Unveils Plan To Cap Oil Refiners’ Profits
By Eliyahu Kamisher, THE MERCURY NEWS
December 6, 2022
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled his plan to punish oil companies for reaping massive profits in California while drivers emptied their wallets at gas stations.
Prepare For More Gas Price Hikes. Here’s Why—And Who’s To Blame
By Russ Mitchell, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 4, 2022
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-12-04/california-gas-prices-decarbonization-plan
As California energetically attempts to decarbonize the state’s economy, some in Sacramento fear the plan faces a looming threat: astronomical gas prices that could fuel a massive public backlash.
