News Releases

Gasoline Refinery Stocks Reach Lowest Point In Nearly One Year, Driving Newsom Call for Legislation Requiring CA Oil Refiners To Maintain Minimum Inventories, SB 950

August 29, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – State data shows that refinery gasoline stocks, specifically the amount of California blending components on hand at oil refineries, has shrunk to its lowest...

Three Bills For Polluter Accountability Advance To California Senate Floor

August 16, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Critical legislation holding oil drillers accountable for their pollution has passed the California Senate Appropriations Committee and moves to the California Senate for...

Governor’s Plan For Minimum Inventories Will Help Protect Against Gasoline Price Spikes 

August 15, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA – A plan announced by Governor Newsom today for end-of-the-session legislation requiring refiners to keep a minimum number of days of gasoline...

CA Oil Well Regulator Steps Down One Week After Groups Complain to Governor About Conflict Of Interest In Decisions About Orphan Wells And Midnight Permits

August 9, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – A 30+ year veteran of California’s oil and gas oversight agency is resigning one week after Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance questioned...

Groups Question Oil Industry Influence Over CALGEM As Newsom Well Regulator Approves Midnight Permits & Fails To Require Well Bonding

August 5, 2024  ·  Liza Tucker

Los Angeles, CA – Oil regulators approved 35 new oil and gas well drilling permits in the second quarter of 2024, about half of which were potentially illegally...

Gap Between US and CA Gas Prices Shrinks to 89 cents; Oil Refiner Accountability Measures Working To Keep Gas Prices Lower

July 30, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Los Angeles, CA –  The gap between gasoline prices in California and the United States remained under $1 for the third straight week, showing the power...

Bill Charging Low Production Oil Wells Advances In California Senate

June 26, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Legislation charging $10,000 per day to oil wells producing less than 15 barrels per day within a half mile of a community passed...

Bill To Hold Oil Drillers Legally Liable Fails To Come Up For Vote

May 24, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Legislation holding oil drillers liable for health harms caused by their wells within a half mile of a community failed to come...

Oil Driller Accountability Bill Passes CA Assembly

May 22, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA — Legislation holding oil drillers accountable for low production wells in communities has passed the California Assembly.  AB 2716, authored by Assemblymember Isaac...

Chevron Spends $3 Million To Stop Oil Well Liability Law, Topping CA Lobbyists

May 21, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – As a bill holding oil drillers accountable for health harms awaits a vote on the California Assembly Floor, Chevron reported spending $3...

Oil Driller Accountability Bills Pass Appropriations, Move To Assembly Floor

May 16, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Two bills holding oil drillers accountable for drilling within 3200 feet of a community passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee today by a...

Watchdog Exposes Phony Oil Refiner Arguments In Price Gouging Penalty Proceeding, Makes Case For Maximum Gross Refining Margin Of 70 Cents Per Gallon

May 6, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA –  In comments filed with the California Energy Commission (CEC) Friday, Consumer Watchdog made the case for a maximum gross refining margin that penalizes refiners...