News Releases

Consumer Watchdog Says CA Senate Passage of Minimum Inventories Bill Is A Victory For People’s Wallets Over Oil Refiners’ Excessive Profits

October 11, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA  —  Consumer Watchdog said the California Senate’s passage today of Assembly Billx2-1 is a victory for all California drivers who could save $1 billion or...

Consumer Watchdog Applauds CA Assembly Passage of Minimum Gasoline Inventories Bill

October 1, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA — Consumer Watchdog praised the California Assembly’s passage of ABX2-1 (Hart), which requires oil refiners to keep minimum inventories in order to protect...

Consumer Watchdog Supports CA Gov’s Minimum Gas Inventory Proposal, Points To State Estimate That It Will Cost $25 Million To Save $1 Billion

September 26, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court offered his support at Assembly hearings Thursday for ABX2-1 (Hart), Governor Newsom’s proposal to have the state...

Newsom’s Signature On Three Laws To Hold Oil Drillers Accountable Will Protect LA Residents From the Toxic Harms Of Drilling

September 25, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Surrounded by wells in the Inglewood Oil field, Governor Newsom signed legislation to shut down 600 oil wells

Consumer Watchdog Testifies That Minimum Inventories Are Necessary To Combat Gasoline Price Spikes, Publishes Consumer Alert Making Case For Reform

September 19, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA — Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court offered testimony (opens in new tab) today in the legislative special session that California needs to establish a minimum...

Northern California Gasoline Price Spike Is Poster Child For Need For Newsom’s Special Session Reform, Consumer Watchdog Says

September 10, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA —  Bay Area gasoline prices have spiked 20 cents over the last week, driven by the cycle of refinery maintenance and low inventories that Governor Newsom...

Three Bills To Hold Oil Drillers Accountable and Make “Polluters Pay” Pass Legislature and Go To Governor’s Desk

September 1, 2024  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA – In the last hours of the California legislative session, critical legislation holding oil drillers accountable for their pollution passed the California legislature and...

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 (opens in new tab) in the second quarter of 2024, about half of...