News Releases

Utilities’ Phony “Wildfire Victims First” Coalition Trots Out Utility-Paid Spokespeople to Push Wildfire Bailout

August 14, 2026 · Alexandra Nagy

Sacramento, CA — The utility-funded coalition pushing for a utility bailout in Sacramento, deceptively named “Wildfire Victims First,” issued a press release August 10 (opens in...

Ro Khanna, Erwin Chemerinsky and Dave Jones Join Campaign To Stop CA Utility Bailout; Consumer Watchdog Unveils TV Ads

August 13, 2026 · Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Congressional Representative Ro Khanna has come out against the 11th hour utility bailout that Governor Newsom is pushing for in Sacramento. Khanna joins...

Senate Energy Chair Calls Out Utility CEOs Over Bailout Blackmail Threats; Local Governments, Insurers, Fire Survivors & Consumer Groups Rally Against Bailout

August 12, 2026 · Jamie Court

A coalition of governmental entities, wildfire survivors, insurance companies, attorneys and consumer groups sent a joint letter to the legislature (opens in new tab)vowing to oppose...

New Polling Shows 7 Out of 10 Californians Oppose Utility Bailout Limiting Wildfire Survivors’ Legal Rights

August 11, 2026 · Jamie Court

New polling from Hart Research finds that large majorities of California voters oppose limiting the legal rights of wildfire survivors to recover monetary damages from...

As Carbon Capture Gains Momentum, New Report Raises Consumer Concerns

August 10, 2026 · Liza Tucker

California is setting the stage for oil producers, refiners, and other industries to decarbonize. Air regulators are circulating proposed rules for the state’s first industrial Carbon...

Investigation Maps For-Profit Utilities’ $366 Million Disinformation Echo Chamber as Newsom Pushes Wildfire Bailout

August 6, 2026 · Alexandra Nagy

Report documents years of lobbying, campaign contributions, charitable giving and political relationships that culminated in utility bailout plan Sacramento, CA — As Governor Gavin Newsom develops...

Utilities Break California Lobbying Record Under Newsom While Former Aides Lead Utility-Backed Wildfire Coalition

August 3, 2026 · Carmen Balber

New disclosures show utilities spent a record $16.7 million lobbying Sacramento through the first six quarters of the 2025–2026 legislative session as lawmakers consider a...

California’s For-Profit Utilities Bankroll “Wildfire Victims First” Front Group to Push Utility Bailout

July 28, 2026 · Carmen Balber

Consumer Watchdog analysis finds 66% of coalition organizations received utility money while utilities bankroll campaign to escape accountability for catastrophic wildfires Sacramento, CA — Consumer Watchdog today...

Today: ALEC To Vote On Big Oil Immunity Bill Disguised As “Consumer Protection”

July 23, 2026 · Alexandra Nagy

Fossil-fuel-backed group’s proposal would bar consumers, communities and states from holding oil companies accountable for climate deception Washington, D.C. — The fossil-fuel-linked American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)...

Consumer Alert Warns Gov. Newsom Against 11th Hour Plan to Bail Out Utilities for Fires They Cause; Exposes Ads from Utility Front Group Targeting Politicians

July 22, 2026 · Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – A new Consumer Alert video (opens in new tab) from Consumer Watchdog exposes a new ad campaign by the phony “Wildfire Victims First” group as...

New Data Shows CA Oil Refiner Profits Top $1.29 Per Gallon In May; Price gouging Penalty Would Have Returned $611 Million To CA Drivers In 2026 Had It Been Implemented

July 16, 2026 · Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA — Oil refiners profits data just released (opens in new tab) by the California Energy Commission (CEC) shows that California oil refiners made banner profits in May,...

Data Shows Wartime Price Gouging At Pump In CA Rampant, Supports Need For Legislation To Add “War” Under Anti-Price Gouging Laws

June 29, 2026 · Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA — An analysis of US Energy Information Administration data finds that since the start of the war with Iran at the beginning of March...