California Utility Gets Reassurance on Wildfire Liability
By Ivan Penn and Peter Eavis, THE NEW YORK TIMES
November 16, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/16/business/energy-environment/pge-stoc…
After its stock plummeted over its possible role in California’s deadly wildfires, the state’s largest utility won back some investor confidence on Friday after its chief regulator offered a backstop.
Consumer Groups Warns CA DMV that Waymo Self-Certification & Insurance Aren’t Enough
By Bryan Jonston, AUTO CONNECTED CAR NEWS
By November 15, 2018
http://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2018/11/consumer-groups-warns-ca-dmv-th…
Audi’s Autonomous Driving Cup: A Big Deal For Small Cars
By Rene Tellers, 2025AD.com
November 13, 2018
https://www.2025ad.com/the-week-in-ad/2018-11/audi-autonomous-driving-c…
Audi prepares for its Autonomous Driving Cup, Uber ends its wound licking, and Waymo defends its driverless tests against skepticism: read our weekly analysis of the most important news in automated driving!
Waymo's Driverless Application Is Scrubbed of Insurance Details
By Cheryl Miller, THE RECORDER
November 13, 2018
Safety Groups Hope For More Robot Car Regs If Dems Win
By Keith Laing, THE DETROIT NEWS
November 1, 2018
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2018/11/01/safety-grou…
Ford, Baidu Ink Autonomous Test Deal in China as Waymo Starts in California Despite Protests
Disparate reactions to autonomous vehicle testing.
By Michael Strong, THE DETROIT BUREAU
November 1, 2018
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2018/11/ford-baidu-ink-autonomous-test-…
EDITORIAL: Pickel Is A Ratepayer Advocate Who Doesn't Relish Advocacy
By Editorial Board, LOS ANGELES TIMES
November 1, 2018
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-ratepayer-advocate-pick…
Suspicious of Los Department of Water and Power rate hikes and frustrated that the city-owned utility was treated like a political football, residents in 2011 voted to create a ratepayer advocate.
Google Spinoff To Test Truly Driverless Cars In California; Consumer Group Protests
By Staff & Wire Reports, WRAL TECH WIRE
October 31, 2018
https://www.wraltechwire.com/2018/10/31/google-spinoff-to-test-truly-dr…
Google Spinoff To Test Truly Driverless Cars In California
By Micahel Liedtke, ASSOCIATED PRESS
October 30, 2018
https://apnews.com/877c2fcbd21d4fa2874412797d7696e2
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The robotic car company created by Google is poised to attempt a major technological leap in California, where its vehicles will hit the roads without a human on hand to take control in emergencies.
Waymo Gets California's OK For Human-Free Driving Tests As Robo-Car Skepticism Rises
By Alan Ohnsman, FORBES
October 30, 2018
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2018/10/30/waymo-gets-californ…
Consumer Watchdog Warns of Dangers of Driverless Cars without Human Backup Drivers in the Vehicles
By Lynn Walford, AUTO CONNECTED CAR NEWS
October 30, 2018
http://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2018/10/consumer-watchdog-warns-of-dang…
FTC Pushed to Investigate Marketing in Android Kids Apps
Groups say some in-app ad elements are deceptive
By John Eggerton, MULTICHANNEL NEWS
October 30, 2018
https://www.multichannel.com/news/ftc-pushed-to-investigate-android-kid…
Consumer Watchdogs Call On FTC To Investigate Kids Apps
More than 20 consumer advocacy groups are calling on the US government body to hold kids app makers accountable for deceptive marketing practices.
By Alexandra Whyte, KIDSCREEN
October 30, 2018
http://kidscreen.com/2018/10/30/consumer-watchdogs-call-on-ftc-to-inves…
Waymo Gets Green Light For Robot Cars In California; No Humans Needed
By Carolyn Said, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
October 30, 2018
https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Waymo-gets-green-light-for…
Waymo is the first company in California allowed to test robot cars on public roads with no human driver behind the steering wheel, it said Tuesday.
Consumer Advocate Says DWP Ratepayer Advocate’s Contract Should Not Be Renewed
By Sandy Wells, KABC 790 AM Los Angeles, CA
October 29, 2018
http://www.kabc.com/2018/10/29/consumer-advocate-says-dwp-ratepayer-adv…
How can DWP’s public advocate Fred Pickel remain cool as a cucumber in the face of rising frustration over utility rates?
'Red Flag’ Wind Warnings Hit Northern California — And PG&E Urges Customers To Prepare
By Dale Kasler, SACRAMENTO BEE
October 29, 2018
https://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article220813460.html
With weather forecasters issuing “red flag” warnings for much of Northern California, PG&E said Monday it wasn’t ready to shut off power again to reduce fire risk but is watching the forecast closely.
Fred Pickel Recommended for Another Term as LADWP Ratepayer Advocate
By Contributing Editors, MYNEWSLA
October 25, 2018
https://mynewsla.com/business/2018/10/25/fred-pickel-recommended-for-an…
Fred Pickel was recommended Thursday by a committee to serve another term as the watchdog and ratepayer advocate for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power.
Panel Recommends Another Term For DWP Watchdog
By Emily Alpert Reyes, LOS ANGELES TIMES
October 25, 2018
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ratepayer-advocate-20181025…
A committee tapped to choose a watchdog to scrutinize the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power unanimously recommended Thursday that the city give Fred Pickel another term.
Report: Prop 103 Has Saved California Drivers $154 Billion
By Kevin Smith, SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE
October 19, 2018
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2018/10/19/report-prop-103-has-saved-califor…
Californians are used to rising prices.
General Motors Tracked The Listening Habits Of Drivers For Three Months
Monetizing the consumer at every opportunity
By Shawn Knight, TECH SPOT
October 18, 2018
https://www.techspot.com/news/76997-general-motors-tracked-listening-ha…
CFA: Insurance Reform Law Saved California Drivers Billions Of Dollars
By Lyle Adriano, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA
October 18, 2018
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/cfa-insuranc…
Consumer Watchdog Calls For Investigation Into PG&E, Other Utilities Over Power Shutdowns
By Staff Reporters, KABC TV-7 Los Angeles, CA
October 17, 2018
Click here to watch the video of this TV news segment: https://abc7.com/business/consumer-watchdog-calls-for-investigation-int…
GM’s Data Mining Is Just The beginning Of The In-Car Advertising Blitz
The next data minefield is your car
By Andrew J. Hawkins, THE VERGE
October 17, 2018
https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/17/17990052/gm-radio-listen-tracking-h…
Privacy Regulation Could Be a Test for States’ Rights
By Lindsey O'Donnell, THREAT POST
October 16, 2018
https://threatpost.com/privacy-regulation-could-be-a-test-for-states-ri…
As more states take cybersecurity and privacy issues into their own hands, experts worry that big tech will push for preemption.
Fire Season Becomes Blackout Time in California
By Hudson Sangree, RTO.COM
October 16, 2018
https://www.rtoinsider.com/cpuc-wildfires-blackout-inverse-condemnation…
All three of California’s big investor-owned utilities this week shut down power or warned customers they might need to because of dry, windy conditions that could lead to wildfires, prompting one consumer group to call for a probe into the practice.
Utilities Cut Power to Prevent Wildfires. But Who Wins When the Lights Go Out?
By Ivan Penn, THE NEW YORK TIMES
October 15, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/business/energy-environment/californ…
Is PG&E Move To Turn Off Power To Reduce The Risk Of Wildfire Justified?
By Sharon McNary, AIR TALK - KPCC 89.3 FM Pasadena, CA
October 15, 2018
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment: https://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2018/10/15/63790/is-pg-e-move-to-…
Hackers Stole Millions Of Facebook Users’ Personal Data — Here’s Why You Should Be Worried
By Troy Wolverton, BUSINESS INSIDER
October 12, 2018
https://www.businessinsider.com/bank-accounts-could-be-compromised-becu…
Consumer Watchdog On Google+ Debacle: ‘Google Cannot Be Trusted’
By Dominik Bosnjak, ANDROID HEADLINES
October 11, 2018
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2018/10/consumer-watchdog-on-google-br…
Consumer Advocates Suggest Hunt To Replace DWP Watchdog Is A 'Sham Process'
By Emily Alpert Reyes, LOS ANGELES TIMES
October 10, 2018
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ratepayer-advocate-20181010…
When Los Angeles started hunting for a “ratepayer advocate” to scrutinize the Department of Water and Power, Mike Gatto said he was encouraged by several people at City Hall to apply.
Insurance Industry Needs To Dump Fossil Fuels, Says Watchdog Group
By Ryan Smith, INSURANCE BUSINESS
October 10, 2018
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/environmental/insurance-in…
Google+ Privacy Flaw: What Will Lawmakers And Regulators Do?
By Levi Sumagaysay, BAY AREA NEWSGROUP
October 9, 2018
https://www.siliconvalley.com/2018/10/09/google-privacy-flaw-what-will-…
Aegon Unit Agrees To $195m Settlement Over Universal Life Insurance
By Staff Writers, VERDICT UK
October 5, 2018
https://www.verdict.co.uk/life-insurance-international/news/aegon-settl…
Transamerica, the US unit of Dutch insurer Aegon, has agreed to pay $195m to resolve charges of raising monthly deduction rates on certain universal life policies.
Latest Federal Self-Driving Car Guidelines Stick With Self-Policing Approach
By Eric D. Lawrence, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
October 4, 2018
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2018/10/04/self-driving-robot-ca…
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Use Mandatory for CA Docs
A new law requires all California doctors to query the state’s prescription drug monitoring program before prescribing opioids.
By Kate Monica, EHR INTELLIGENCE
October 4, 2018
https://ehrintelligence.com/news/prescription-drug-monitoring-program-u…
Transamerica Pays $195 Million To Settle Lawsuit Over Universal Life Insurance
Suit alleged the insurer improperly increased monthly costs to avoid guaranteed monthly interest payments
By Ryan W. Neal, INVESTMENT NEWS
October 4, 2018
https://www.investmentnews.com/article/20181004/FREE/181009958/transame…
Op-Ed: Insurance For Fossil-Fuel Projects But Not Homeowners
Op-Ed Commentary by Jamie Court & Michael Mattoch, Consumer Watchdog for SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
October 4, 2018
https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Insurance-for-fos…
What if hospitals sold crack, doctors offered cigarettes in their waiting rooms, and firefighters gave out flamethrowers?
Their Children Were Killed By An Opioid User. They Changed The Entire System
After Carmen and Bob Pack discovered the driver who hit their children had opioid pill prescriptions from six doctors, they sought to fix California’s drug-monitoring database
By Chris McGreal, THE GUARDIAN UK
October 2, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/02/california-opioid-syste…
Georgia Dental Board Inaction Could Leave Patients At Risk
Only twice in the past five years has the board yanked the license of a dentist because of poor care
By Yamil Berard, THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
September 20, 2018
https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/dental-board-inaction-could-le…
‘It’s Literally Drill, Baby, Drill’: Did Jerry Brown’s Climate Crusade Give Big Oil A Pass?
By Alexei Koseff, CAPITOL ALERT - SACRAMENTO BEE
September 13, 2018
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article21…
High-Tech Ferry Backdrop For 16 California Clean Energy Laws
By Staff Reporters, ASSOCIATED PRESS
September 13, 2018
https://www.ksl.com/article/46390761/high-tech-ferry-backdrop-for-16-ca…
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown used a high-tech battery-operated San Francisco Bay sightseeing ferry as the backdrop for approving 16 new laws Thursday aimed at easing global warming.
Jerry Brown May Not Be The Ultimate Climate Crusader, But He's A Lot Closer Than Most Politicians
By George Skelton, CAPITOL JOURNAL - LOS ANGELES TIMES
September 13, 2018
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-skelton-jerry-brown-climate-…
Campaign Calls On US Insurance Industry To Ditch Fossil Fuels
By Ryan Smith, INSURANCE BUSINESS
September 13, 2018
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/environmental/campaign-cal…
A new campaign is calling on the US insurance industry to ditch fossil fuels, calling the industry a major contributor to climate change.
California Gov. Jerry Brown A 'Hypocrite' When It Comes To Oil Drilling, Critics Say
By William Lajeunesse, FOX NEWS
September 12, 2018
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/12/california-gov-jerry-brown-h…
L.A. Judge Tosses Aetna Suit Against Plaintiffs' Firms
By Alison Frankel, REUTERS
September 10, 2018
https://uk.reuters.com/article/legal-us-otc-aetna/la-judge-tosses-aetna…
Few Automakers Reported On Self-Driving Car Safety To White House
By Brian Leon, THE CAR CONNECTION
September 10, 2018
https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1118682_few-automakers-reported-o…
Brown Blasted for Turning Blind Eye to Neighborhood Oil Wells
By Nathan Solis, COURTHOUSE NEWS
September 10, 2018
https://www.courthousenews.com/brown-blasted-for-turning-blind-eye-to-n…
Few Carmakers Submit Self-Driving Car Safety Reports
By Keith Laing, THE DETROIT NEWS
September 10, 2018
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/mobility/2018/09/10/fe…
Angry Activists Plan To Crash Jerry Brown’s SF Climate Summit
By Matier & Ross, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
September 9, 2018
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Angry-activists…
California Senate Denies Vote On Bill To Cede California Electricity Grid To Trump
By Dan Bacher, INDYBAY
September 2, 2018
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2018/09/02/18817263.php
“The Senate leadership was wise to not subject California to another deregulation scheme that would have empowered the Trump administration to stick California with more coal and fracked gas," said Adam Scow, California Director of Food & Water Watch
