Energy

Consumer Watchdog Throws Shade On Gov. Jerry Brown’s Support Of Newhall Ranch

October 11, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

The governor’s sister, Kathleen Brown, sits on the developer’s board It’s a family affair — and some are up in arms about it. Nonprofit organization...

California Will Soon Allow Self-Driving Cars To Operate Without A Driver

October 11, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

The California Department of Motor Vehicles just proposed a revised set of regulations that will allow self-driving cars to operate without a driver behind the...

Will Governor Really Sign Bill Benefiting Sister’s Development Company?

October 6, 2017  ·  Liza Tucker

Santa Monica, CA — Governor Brown’s sister Kathleen was paid $122,667 in 2016 as a member of the board of Five Point Holdings, a developer...

Brown’s Controversial Choice for Top Regulatory Agency Affirmed

September 27, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

The state Senate recently OK’d the governor’s pick — a longtime aide who helped fire other regulators for trying to stop oil companies from polluting...

Senate Completes Creation of “Brown Utility Commission,” Neutering PUC Independence

September 22, 2017  ·  Liza Tucker

Santa Monica, CA — The California Senate completed Governor Jerry Brown’s consolidation of the California Public Utility Commission in the hands of three of his...

The Sex Trafficking Fight Could Take Down a Bedrock Tech Law

September 20, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

No origin story of the internet would be complete without mentioning one of its legal pillars: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 21-year-old...

California Wants Millions to Fund Water Project

September 20, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

Dozens of water agencies and millions of families and farmers could be on the hook for building two giant tunnels to carry Northern California’s water...

Senate Confirms Two Latest Appointees To State Utilities Panel

September 20, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

Gov. Jerry Brown’s two latest nominees to the California Public Utilities Commission were confirmed by state lawmakers in the closing hours of the legislative session...

Consumer Advocacy Groups Want LADWP’s Official Watchdog Fired. Here’s Why

September 20, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

Several groups have gathered at Los Angeles City Hall today to call for the firing of an official watchdog charged with fighting for the interests...

Some Thoughts On The Transportation Department’s New Autonomous Vehicle Guidelines

September 20, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

On September 13, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced the release of an updated set autonomous vehicles guidelines, titled “Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for...

Tech Companies Push Back As Congress Tries To Fight Online Sex Trafficking

September 20, 2017  ·  Mark Reback

In its next step to amend a federal law which allows websites such as Backpage.com to host ads for child sex-trafficking, the Senate is holding...

Consumer Watchdog Kicks Off Campaign To Fire LADWP Ratepayer Advocate Fred Pickel

September 18, 2017  ·  Liza Tucker

Santa Monica, CA — Consumer Watchdog, Food & Water Watch, DWP ratepayers and other advocacy groups rally today in front of City Hall to urge...