Safety Groups Want FTC, State Probes Of Tesla’s Autopilot system–And Its Marketing Efforts
By Paul A. Eisenstein, CNBC
July 26, 2019
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/26/safety-groups-want-ftc-state-probes-of-…
Two consumer safety groups are calling for federal and state investigations of Tesla’s semi-autonomous technology in the wake of several fatal crashes linked to the system earlier this year.
State Insurance Office Again Overturns A Judge’s Ruling To A Political Donor’s Benefit
Move comes after Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara says he is recused from all cases involving Applied Underwriters
By Jeff McDonald, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
July 26, 2019
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2019-07-25/sta…
Investigate Autopilot, Please: Consumer Groups
By Kristen Lee, JALPONIK
July 26, 2019
https://jalopnik.com/insurance-companies-baffled-by-new-driver-safety-t…
Here are the players involved: The Center for Auto Safety and Consumer Watchdog (both consumer advocacy groups), the Federal Trade Commission, some state attorneys and Tesla. And it’s about, you guessed it, Autopilot.
Advocacy Groups Attack Tesla’s Use of Autopilot — Again
Tesla maintains nothing wrong with the system
By Michael Strong, THE DETROIT BUREAU
July 26, 2019
https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2019/07/advocacy-groups-attack-teslas-…
Two of the most vocal critics of Tesla Inc.’s Autopilot feature renewed their calls for federal and state investigations of the EV maker, claiming the company’is engaging in “dangerously misleading and deceptive practices.”
Newsom Tours Kern Co. Oil Spill as Locals Call for Heath & Safety Protections
By Dan Bacher, INDYBAY
July 25, 2019
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/07/25/18824969.php
MCKITTRICK, CA — At a time when oil and gas drilling continues to expand in California, Governor Gavin Newsom on July 24 visited the site of a big oil spill in Chevron’s Cymric oilfield in Kern County,
FBI Raids, DWP Scandal Pose A Political Threat To L.A.'s Ambitious City Attorney
By Dakota Smith, LOS ANGELES TIMES
July 25, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-city-attorney-feuer-mayor-…
Four years ago, Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer cast himself as a champion for ratepayers socked by wildly inflated bills after the Department of Water and Power rolled out a disastrous new billing system.
At L.A. City Hall, Incompetence And Corruption Are Close Cousins
By Steve Lopez, Columnist, LOS ANGELES TIMES
July 24, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-07-23/dwp-investigation-c…
The timing is perfect, isn’t it?
Here come the most searing, sweaty, sun-blasted days of the year, when the temperature and utility bills rise in unison. And right on cue, everyone’s favorite public agency in Los Angeles has stormed back into the news.
Juiced - PG&E poured $2 million into the Rebuild Northbay Foundation as the utility ramped up its political machine after 2017 wildfires
By Will Carruthers, THE NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN
July 24, 2019
https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/juiced/Content?oid=9026523
As summer brought blue skies to the North Bay, a recent editorial in Santa Rosa's Press Democrat was uncharacteristically out of sync with the editorial stances of California's two largest newspapers.
Editorial: A Cloud Of Suspicion Hangs Over State Insurance Commissioner. Can He Clear The Air?
By The SACRAMENTO BEE Editorial Board
July 23, 2019
https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article232988522.html
With the appearance of corruption threatening to undermine his legitimacy as California insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara would do well to review the classic steps of scandal management:
Step one: Admit the error.
Step two: Come clean.
Step three: Make a plan to do better, then follow through.
FBI Raids LADWP And City Attorney's Office (It's Linked To That 2013 Overbilling Scandal)
By Sharon McNary, LAIST.COM
July 22, 2019
https://laist.com/2019/07/22/ladwp_overbilling_scandal_the_fbi_just_rai…
FBI agents searched the downtown offices of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and City Attorney Mike Feuer on Monday.
Traffic Safety Agency Says its Critics Are Wrong About Its Lack Of Toughness
By Jamie L. LaReau, DETROIT FREE PRESS
July 22, 2019
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2019/07/22/nhtsa-…
The nation's top vehicle safety watchdog lacks expertise to properly assess defects and must rely too much on car companies, safety advocates say.
Editorial: Lara’s Interference Looks Like Pay-To-Play Sacramento Sleaze
Trying to do something without legal authority to do so is a bad look for a top state regulator
By the Editorial Board, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
July 22, 2019
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/story/2019-07-2…
State Insurance Commissioner Accepted Contributions And Intervened in Cases Affecting Donor, Records Show
Ricardo Lara overruled his own judges and stayed orders in cases involving a workers comp company whose executives gave to his campaign
By Jeff McDonald, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
July 20, 2019
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2019-07-19/sta…
After Firing Top Regulator, Will Newsom Seize His Chance to Lead California Off of Oil?
By Andy Rowell, OIL CHANGE INTERNATIONAL
July 19, 2019
http://priceofoil.org/2019/07/19/after-firing-top-regulator-will-newsom…
The new Democratic Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, is coming under pressure to make good on his pre-election promises to rapidly move the state away from fossil fuels.
Consumer Group Gives California Insurance Commissioner to Month’s End for Contributions Records
By Staff Writers, INSURANCE JOURNAL
July 18, 2019
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2019/07/18/532770.htm
A watchdog group has given California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara until July 31 to produce public records related to meetings with insurance industry representatives who reportedly gave him $54,300 in campaign contributions.
California Insurance Commissioner Won’t Disclose Calendars After Accepting Industry Donations
By Hannah Wiley, SACRAMENTO BEE
July 18, 2019
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article23…
An advocacy group is demanding that California’s insurance commissioner release records about his business meetings following a report that he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from insurance leaders and their spouses.
Chevron's Huge Kern County Spill Endangers Valley Residents, Highlights Agency's Capture
By Dan Bacher, INDYBAY
July 18, 2019
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/07/18/18824825.php
“We have lost all faith in the ability of DOGGR to do its job of protecting Californians, and we call on the Governor to completely reform this corporate-captured agency,” said Linda Hutchins-Knowles, California Senior Organizer for Mothers Out Front. “Regulators should not be allowed to own stock in the very industry they’re supposed to regulate."
Culver City Residents Fear Inglewood Oil Field Isn't Safe
By Zack Tawatari , SPECTRUM NEWS 1 LA
July 17, 2019
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/news/2019/07/17/culver-city-reside…
CULVER CITY, Calif. - It’s prime real estate in Culver City’s Raintree neighborhood.
That’s part of the reason Deborah Weinrauch has lived here over 20 years.
Is California Clamping Down on Oil and Gas At Last?
Governor Newsom fires top regulator for being too chummy with industry
By Judith Lewis Mernit, SIERRA MAGAZINE
July 15, 2019
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/gavin-newsom-oil-clampdown-doggr-ken-…
Fracking Under Fire In California
By Nick Cunningham, OILPRICE.COM
July 15, 2019
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Fracking-Under-Fire-In-Calif…
Fracking for oil and gas in California is about to get a lot more difficult.
How Will The New Wildfire Insurance Fund Affect You? Here Are Some Answers
By Kathleen Pender, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
July 13, 2019
https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/networth/article/How-will-the-new-…
If you’re wondering how the landmark wildfire bill Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday will affect utility customers, property owners and fire victims, you’re not alone.
Governor Newsom Orders Firing Of Top Oil Regulator After Fracking Increases By 103%
By Dan Bacher, INDYBAY.ORG
July 13, 2019
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/07/13/18824655.php
The announcement of Ken Harris' firing came several hours after two watchdog groups, Consumer Watchdog and the FracTracker Allliance, released a report revealing that eight DOGGR officials own stock in corporations they are responsible for regulating.
Insurance Commish’s Money
By Dan Morain & Barbara Harvey, CALMATTERS.ORG
July 12, 2019
https://calmatters.org/newsletter/fire-water-ricardo-laras-money-poking…
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has promised to return $53,000 in insurance-related donations to his 2020 reelection campaign.
Gov. Gavin Newsom Fires Top Official Over Fracking Permits — But Won’t Ban The Oil Well
By Phil Willon, LOS ANGELES TIMES
July 12, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-gavin-newsom-oil-fracking-20…
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday defended firing California’s top oil industry regulator for issuing too many hydraulic fracturing permits, but offered no details on whether he plans to ban or limit the oil extraction process in the state.
Newsom Fires Top Oil Regulator After Industry Ties Exposed
By Debra Kahn, POLITICO PRO
July 12, 2019
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday fired the head of the state's oil and gas regulatory agency after watchdog groups revealed that agency officials have accelerated the rate of drilling permits while holding stock in petroleum companies.
Gavin Newsom Fires California Offical Who OKd Big Increase in Fracking
By Alexei Koseff, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
July 12, 2019
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Gavin-Newsom-fires-Califor…
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has fired the head of California’s oil and gas regulatory agency after watchdog groups complained that the department was rife with conflicts of interest amid a sharp rise in drilling permits.
‘I Am Very Angry’ — Newsom Blasts Fracking Regulator He Fired Over Conflict Of Interest Claims
By Sophia Bollag, SACRAMENTO BEE - CAPITOL ALERT
July 12, 2019
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article23…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom a day after firing the state’s top oil and gas regulator said he’s looking into ways to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.
California Governor Criticizes Increase In Fracking Permits
By Kathleen Ronayne and Andrew Oxford, ASSOCIATED PRESS
July 12, 2019
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he wants to move the nation's most populous state away from hydraulic fracturing, a day after he fired the state's top oil and gas regulator for issuing twice as many fracking permits this year compared to last.
Newsom Signs Wildfire Liability Legislation And Hires A New Utilities Commission President
The legislation establishes a $21 billion fund that power companies can access for damages related to utility-caused wildfires.
By Rob Nickolewski, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
July 12, 2019
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/story/2019-0…
Gov. Newsom Orders Firing Of California’s Top Oil, Gas Regulator Over Fracking Permits
By Andrew Oxford, ASSOCIATED PRESS
July 12, 2019
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/07/12/california-governor-orders-firin…
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the firing of California’s top oil and gas regulator Thursday over an increase in state permits for hydraulic fracturing and allegations of conflicts of interest among senior government officials.
California Lawmakers Moving Wildfire Fund Bill for Utilities
By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE
July 11, 2019
The California Assembly is considering legislation to create a wildfire insurance fund to help utilities manage costs associated with increasingly widespread fires.
The fund, according to the bill, could be as large as $21 billion and would reduce the costs to ratepayers in addressing utility-caused catastrophic wildfires.
Editorial: Insurance Commissioner Lara Never Should Have Accepted Donations From Those He Regulates
His explanation has a caught-with-a-hand-in-the-cookie-jar quality.
By THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE EDITORIAL BOARD
July 8, 2019
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/story/2019-07-0…
Insurance Commissioner Will Return Funds From Companies With Ties To Industry He Regulates
Ricardo Lara, a San Diego State graduate, also announced he will hire a campaign treasurer instead of doing the job himself
By Jeff McDonald, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
July 8, 2019
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2019-07-08/ins…
Editorial: Our View: Deciding On Sunshine Always Best
By Editorial Board, SANTA MARIA TIMES
July 8, 2019
https://santamariatimes.com/opinion/editorial/our-view-deciding-on-suns…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed legislation that would create a Wildfire Safety Advisory Board, but allow its members to skirt certain state open-meeting rules.
