Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court says California needs to build its own infrastructure and not rely on outside power companies.

By Eric Rucker, FOX TV-40 Sacramento, CA

July 1, 2021

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTLX) — Last summer for the first time in nearly two decades, California did not have enough power to meet demand, leading to blackouts for hundreds of thousands across the state. 

Now, that concern is coming back around this summer.

“It was rough for all of us in the house,” said Nick McLain. 

In August of 2020, a stage three power emergency by California’s power operator meant periods of no power for McLain and his family in Woodland. 

Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court says California's highest in the nation gas prices must be dealt with through the legislature to reign in oil companies. 

Liza Tucker of Consumer Watchdog discusses California's broken CRV recycling system and how SB 38 will fix it.

Michael Finney explains how SB 38 could fix California's broken CRV recycling program.

Consumer Watchdog's Liza Tucker tells how California's broken CRV recycling system is hurting citizens and how we can fix it.

Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains how Californian's should get a break on the CA gas taxes while we pay $1 more than the rest of the country.

Michael Finney speaks with Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court on how SB 38 would fix California's broken recycling system. 

Data compiled by Consumer Watchdog shows Oregon has the third best redemption rate out of ten states at 86 percent. California is third to last at 58.9 percent, down a full 10 percent since the beginning of 2020.

Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains that gas prices go up because "There are four refiners that control 80% of the market. They squeeze when they can and we pay more."

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, explains how the demise of the Keystone XL pipeline is good for consumers everywhere.

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, talks with Randy Mac (NBC4 News) about Los Angeles’ Big, Dirty, Oily Secret...the hidden oil wells in Los Angeles.

'Catastrophic Model' Could Be Used To Set Your Fire Insurance Rates

By Michael Finney, KGO ABC TV-7 San Francisco, CA

https://abc7news.com/home/new-proposals-considered-to-lower-fire-insura…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Insurance companies are making a big push to change the way fire insurance rates are set. What will this mean for homeowners already facing huge increases in premiums?

Jamie Court tells KABC why Californians are Leary of the recent contradictory behavior by Gov Newsom and some California lawmakers.

Carmen Balber with Consumer Watchdog explains watchdog's exasperation with Governor Newsom's French Laundry dinner with CMA lobbyists. 

Michael Finney explains how Consumer Watchdog hacked into a Tesla and calls for stronger protections on connected cars.

A recent state law limits how companies gather data about you, and it prohibits them from selling it. But Consumer Watchdog says companies found a loophole in the law. 

“Prop 24 closes a critical loophole that companies were trying to use to say, ‘Well we can share your data, we don’t sell it, it’s fine.,” Carmen Balber with Consumer Watchdog said.

Prop 24 would also create a privacy commission to regulate and enforce any new privacy rights, and it would triple fines on companies that violate children’s privacy. 

September 15, 2020

https://abc7news.com/gavin-newsom-climate-change-wade-crowfoot-fossil-f…

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Whether in conversation with the president or with the dramatic ruins of a wildfire as his backdrop, Governor Gavin Newsom has been sounding the alarm on climate change, positioning himself on the national stage as a climate leader.

As COVID-19 cases shattered California daily records in the second quarter of 2020, oil regulators under Gov. Newsom also shattered records for dispensing new oil and gas production well drilling permits, Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance said today.

A San Joaquin Valley legislator is seeking answers from the Medical Board of California as to why the oversight agency allowed a Bakersfield doctor to remain in practice even though it determined he had been negligent with patients.

Demi Dominguez story on KERO TV-23 Bakersfield, CA. 

Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog explains how people who evacuated from the lightning-sparked wildfires in the Bay Area may qualify for fire insurance payouts even if their homes escaped damage, and the best ways to go about filing claims. 

Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog says consumers can challenge bills like this in small claims court if they don't get relief from contacting the utilities.

Bakersfield OB-GYN placed on probation in connection with allegations of repeated negligent acts.

Jamie Court with Consumer Watchdog says PG&E's apology for the deaths and destruction in Paradise, CA is hollow and they still have not finished updating their aging grid equipment.

Consumer Watchdog says a dangerous Bakersfield doctor should have lost his medical license instead of a settlement giving him probation.

Consumer Watchdog says Dr. Arthur Park should not be able to keep his medical license due to his past malpractice cases.

Harvey Rosenfield, author of Prop 103, discusses with Randy Mac, Consumer Watchdog's call for the CA Insurance Commissioner to suspend any proposed auto insurance rate increases.

Jerry Flanagan, Litigation Director with Consumer Watchdog, discusses the privacy implications regarding unsecured confidential court records.

The COVID-19 Stay At Home order has meant a significant drop in mileage for Californians. Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog is pushing the Auto Industry to refund insurance premiums to reflect the change in driving behavior.

Consumer Watchdog highlights the failures of California's Bottle Deposit System in its new report "Trashed," which explains how the beverage container recycling program is beset with problems, among them that Californians, and not the beverage industry, foot the majority of the bill for the program.

Read the report at: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/consumer-watchdog-warns-bottle-deposit-system-collapse-without-major-reform

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) took effect January 1st, 2020. Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog stresses the importance of the act and its value as a deterrent for companies who profit from the sale of consumer data.

Consumer Watchdog Executive Director Carmen Balber explains why drivers should be outraged by the California DMV selling their private data to insurance companies.

Consumers are finding it increasingly more difficult to find somewhere to get their CRV deposit refund as recycling centers close and stores shirk their in-store redemption responsibilities. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says CalRecycle's lack of enforcement with in-store redemption is a huge part of the problem.

Senator Markey urges NHTSA to protect consumers from the cybersecurity risks posed by internet-connected cars referencing Consumer Watchdog's Kill Switch report. 

"Automakers have acknowledged the dangers of interconnected cars to their investors and shareholders but they have not disclosed those same cyber risks to the public at large," said Senator Markey citing the Kill Switch report. 

The Kill Switch report from Consumer Watchdog says cars with internet connectivity are vulnerable to hacking and outside interference with crucial systems including brakes and steering. A 50 cent kill switch could address the problem and sever the car's essential safety systems from the internet. "The security in these cars is no better than a smart phone," says Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court, "and that's not good enough. The danger is these connections can be hacked and when the connection can be hacked, the car can be hacked and someone can take control of the car." 

Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court criticizes PG&E for its failure to update its equipment, which he says is a reason so many wildfires have sparked in California.

Some mobile phone carriers have been limiting or slowing consumers cell phone data despite them having unlimited data plans. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says consumers have to make an informed decision before signing off on a plan and to know where the throttling limit is or go to another carrier.

With online search results affecting everything from jobs to relationships, more people are pushing to have a say in shaping their digital narratives - and that includes "the right to be forgotten." But critics say delisting information online is censorship, and it’s not in the public interest to rewrite history.

"We consistently pay $1 to $1.50 more for our gasoline and there's no good reason for it," says Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court. 

Californias are being treated as an ATM by oil refiners and Consumer Watchdog applauds the Governor calling for an investigation into this potential price gouging of consumers. 

Governor Newsom is asking Attorney General Becerra to open an investigation into potential gas price fixing by oil companies in California as Californias pay the highest price in the country at the pump. Consumer Watchdog applauds his request for scrutiny of this long-term price manipulation and how the Golden State Gouge affects drivers. 

Consumer Watchdog supports Governor Newsom's request for the Attorney General to open an investigation into the reasons behind California's extrordinarily high gas prices and potential price fixing by refiners to increase profits at the expense of consumers. 

The Moreno family speak about their daughter Mia's cerebral palsy which was the result of over-sedation and their experience with the medical malpractice damages cap which hasn't been changed since 1975. 

Lara had campaigned on a pledge not to take any money from the insurance industry. However he later broke that pledge and accepted insurance industry money, taking $50,000 from people affiliated with the industry.

Why are SoCal Gas Prices so High?

If you use a car to commute in SoCal, here’s some news you’ve already felt: gas prices have reached their highest level in five years in California, and have hit 17 straight days of increases in L.A. County.

If you have friends in other states, here’s some more news your friend has probably hipped you to: California’s gas prices are about $1.50 more per gallon than the national average ($4.13 a gallon compared to $2.67).

The City of Los Angeles is dropping its lawsuit against the software company PricewaterhouseCoopers, accused of being responsible for the LADWP overbilling scandal. City Attorneys accused of conflicts of interest are refusing to testify which the city has made it difficult to pursue the case. Jamie Court says this is a cover-up and that the city wants to shut the case down to prevent public awareness of the level of fraud in LADWP and the City Attorney's office.

A newly filed proposed CA ballot initiative would give injured patients more money in med-mal lawsuits.

A statewide ballot initiative was filed by families of injured patients that would raise the compensation cap on medical negligence set by politicians in 1975 and never adjusted.

"Job and education level are being used as proxies for race and class" says Consumer Watchdog Executive Director Carmen Balber. Drivers working blue-collar jobs, without college degrees or those who live in less affluent neighborhoods are being discriminated against and end up paying more for their car insurance.

Car suppliers – like Harman International – and major automakers are spending more than they ever have on securing vehicles. But a Consumer Watchdog study says safety concerns related to connected cars are only increasing. Others in the auto industry say those fears may be overblown.

Jamie Court says a portion of the unclaimed CRV deposits currently held by the state should be allocated to keeping recycling centers open and accessible to consumers. Just 10 to 20 million of the $300 million in unclaimed deposits would help keep centers afloat. 

A man posed as a surgical assistant in the hospital operating room at several hospitals and stole from patients and employees. The police were not able to find any kind of licensing, credentials or qualifications. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says hospitals are responsible for everyone they bring in as a contractor. 

Californians living in high fire danger areas are facing an insurance crisis as companies are drastically increasing their rates or dropping their policies completely. 

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says Insurance Commissioner Lara can do more to prevent discrimination against people and protect Californians in high fire risk areas with his regulatory powers. 

Homeowners in high fire risk areas are experiencing insurance premium increases of up to 4 times more expensive, some not being renewed at all. 

Consumer Watchdog, wrote an open letter to Lara on Tuesday.

“As Insurance Commissioner, you have broad power that you are not using to prevent insurance companies from unfairly penalizing homeowners,” Consumer Watchdog Executive Director Carmen Balber wrote. “There is a way, now it is up to you to demonstrate the will.”

United States Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal have written to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ask if carmakers have reported the cybersecurity vulnerabilities in their Internet-connected cars and what steps NHTSA is taking to address the problem.

The largest fine issued against a car insurance company in California has been upheld by the state supreme court. As mandated by Prop 103, insurance companies must charge fair premiums and get the insurance commissioners's approval for those rates.However Mercury had been overcharging consumers by adding broker fees on top of premiums. The California supreme court has upheld the decision that Mercury must pay the $27 million fine.

California's largest operator of recycling centers is shutting down all 284 of their facilities statewide leaving all of those who depend on them to get their CRV deposits back with nowhere to go. Consumer Watchdog is calling on state legislators to mandate that retailers allow consumers to redeem their bottles and cans in store and remove existing exemptions that provide stores with loopholes to shirk their responsibility. 

RePlanet which runs the largest chain of recycling centers in California is shutting down. Consumers will have even less options on where to redeem bottles and cans to get their deposits back. The State needs to mandate that retailers accept recyclables and provide redemption as recycling centers  are shutting their doors. 

More and more cars are connected to the internet and are therefore vulnerable to dangerous hacking interfering with the engine, brakes and other critical safety systems. Hackers could access entire fleets of connected cars leading to catastrophic injury and fatalities. Manufacturers are aware of the problem and have done nothing to resolve this potentially catastrophic vulnerability. A 50 cent kill switch would allow the driver to disconnect safety systems from the internet,  preventing malicious interference. 

Consumer Watchdog has issued a report, with the help of car industry technologists, that finds all the top 2020 cars have Internet connections to safety critical systems that leave them vulnerable to fleet wide hacks. 

The group and experts warn that a fleet wide hack at rush-hour could result in a 9-11 scale catastrophe with approximately 3,000 deaths.  

Developed with the help of car industry technologists, the "Kill Switch" report from Consumer Watchdog finds all the top 2020 cars have Internet connections to safety critical systems that leave them vulnerable to fleet wide hacks.

The experts warn that a fleet wide hack at rush-hour could result in a 9-11 scale catastrophe with approximately 3,000 deaths. 

The report recommends cars come with a 50 cent "kill switch" that can disconnect the safety critical systems from the Internet.

Cars connected to the internet can be hacked, allowing for outside interference with the car's brakes, engine and other crucial systems. Consumer Watchdog's report 'Kill Switch' advocates for a safety mechanism to be put into all connected cars that allows drivers to disconnect the car's essential functional systems from the internet. 

Consumer Watchdog's new Kill Switch report warns that there is a serious risk of hacking with cars connected to the internet. Hackers are able to access the entire network of cars and interfere with the engine, brakes and other crucial aspects of the car. These hacks could lead to thousands of fatalities and must be addressed by manufacturers who are aware of the problem but have done nothing about it. 

Consumer Watchdog's new report called 'Kill Switch' shows that 2020 cars with internet connections are vulnerable to potentially catastrophic hacking. Millions of cars could be hacked leading to interference with crucial safety systems including the brakes and engine that could cause thousands of fatalities and injuries. 

The LADWP may owe another $40 million to consumers after overcharging them years. The FBI raided the LADWP and City Attorney's offices last Monday investigating, bribery, kickbacks, extortion and money laundering. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says there is no doubt crimes were committed and that the consumers are owed millions.

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court speaks on the recent FBI raid of the LA DWP offices and how consumers are being left behind. 

"When City Hall and the City Attorney cannot clean up their own DWP mess, this is what happens, the FBI has to do it. These raids are almost certainly related to what appears to be a fraud on the court and ratepayers in the DWP billing error case that led to  tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money spent on contracts to a company controlled by the city’s outside attorney in the case who has already taken the Fifth Amendment.

In a letter to Governor Newsom, Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker called on the Governor to freeze all new oil and gas well permits until a top-to-bottom ethics review is completed, all conflicted regulators within DOGGR are removed, and the Administration can guarantee regulatory decisions are based on public safety, not pecuniary gain.

The gas tax kicks in on July 1st in California and is expected to generate $50 billion for repairs to roads and infrastructure. Consumer Watchdog President argues that these repairs should be paid for by the excess profits of oil refiners that have been gouging Californians for decades. 

This recycling center, closing June 15th, is the last redemption center west of the 405, serving 200,000 people on LA's Westside. 

40% of the recycling centers in the state have closed in recent years due to economic distress and the failure of state regulators and lawmakers to provide adequate funding for redemption centers where consumers return their bottles and cans.

Consumer Watchdog and recycling advocates are calling on the state to provide relief to the recycling centers to help consumers get their 5 cent and 10 cent bottle deposits returned.

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court explains what three things to know before buying or selling your home online.

Consumer Watchdog's Liza Tucker explains California's CRV system and the broken in-store deposit system. An audit of California stores showed that 66% are refusing to take back bottle deposits and provide redemption, creating a huge impediment to a successful recycling program. The system of recycling in California needs to be reexamined and manufacturers need to be held accountable for their part in creating waste. 

Consumer Watchdog's Executive Director Carmen Balber explains the necessity of different forms of insurance and what questions to ask when considering coverage.  

Drivers are experiencing the 'Golden State Gouge' as gas prices soar in California. Consumer Watchdog explains that a small number of refiners control the supply of the whole state and use their ability to manipulate prices to up profits at the expense of Californians.

An audit by Consumer Watchdog shows stores that are supposed to take back recyclable bottles and provide a redemption are not doing so. These stores are impeding consumer access and denying their right to this redemption program.

Consumer Watchdog report shows 66% of grocery stores surveyed refused to recycle. Stores listed by CalRecycle as required to accept bottles and provide bottle deposits refused to do so even when clearly posted signs said they accept recyclables.

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says consumers are being gouged at the pump by big brand gas companies who manipulated prices.

Consumer Watchdog and civil rights groups call on the California Insurance Commissioner to end occupational price discrimination in auto insurance policies.

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, says that oil companies manipulate pump prices and gouge Californian drivers.

Consumer Watchdog cries foul as it is revealed that there was double dealing and trickery during a settlement over LADWP's over-billing scandal.

Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog alleges that the City Attorney of Los Angeles's Office was engaging in misconduct and is guilty of a serious conflict of interest during the 2015 LADWP lawsuit settlement.

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, sits down with NBC Nightly News to warn consumers that cameras must be disclosed to you in an Air BnB, but they are otherwise allowed.

New Consumer Watchdog report shows how consumers are being ripped off and how recycling centers are closing at record rates.

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, spoke to Good Day LA to raise awareness on how Californians are losing millions of dollars to special interests when they recycle.

Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog tells Valentines Day shoppers that they aren't left in the lurch if their Edible Arrangements gift never came on Valentines Day and offers advice on how to get their money back.

Carmen Balber, Executive Director of Consumer Watchdog, says new nonbinary gender identity choice on California drivers licenses will have unintended consequences in preventing gender discrimination in auto insurance rates.