Energy

Energy and utility watchdog coverage — gas prices, oil-industry profits, utility rates, and clean-energy accountability.

Rex Tillerson’s Four Decades At Exxon Mobil Could Hamper His Role As America’s Top Diplomat

December 13, 2016 · Mark Reback

As chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corp., <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/business/rex-tillerson-PEBS00029-topic.html" id="PEBS00029" title="Rex Tillerson">Rex Tillerson</a> has led a vast energy juggernaut, roaming the globe in search of multibillion-dollar deals, working with despots as well as democrats.

What California Democrats Must Do About Oil Money

December 6, 2016 · Jamie Court

The California Democratic Party recently announced that it would no longer accept political contributions from Big Oil. Bravo.

Why The Driverless Car Industry Is Happy (So Far) With Trump’s Pick For Transportation Secretary

December 6, 2016 · Mark Reback

Silicon Valley voted heavily for <a href="http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-all-things-clinton" id="PEPLT007433" title="Hillary Clinton">Hillary Clinton</a>, but companies working on driverless cars seem overjoyed with President-elect <a href="http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-all-things-trump" id="PEBSL000163" title="Donald Trump">Donald Trump</a>’s nominee for Transportation secretary, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/elaine-chao-PEGPF00209-topic.html" id="PEGPF00209" title="Elaine Chao">Elaine Chao</a>.

Utilities Commission Reforms: Take 3

December 5, 2016 · Mark Reback

A Northern California lawmaker reintroduced legislation Monday intended to reform the state utilities commission, the powerful regulatory panel that has been under criminal investigation since 2014.

Op-Ed: What California Democrats Must Do About Oil Money

December 2, 2016 · Mark Reback

The California Democratic Party recently announced that it would no longer accept political contributions from Big Oil. Bravo. This is a positive step forward, especially as the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article103765046.html" target="_blank" title="" rel="noopener">state investigates the party’s alleged funneling of millions</a> in oil and energy company contributions to Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2014 re-election campaign – an inquiry spurred by my consumer group’s report.

Consumer Watchdog Testifies That Refiners Continue to Get Rich on Inflated Gasoline Prices By Cutting Production To Reduce Supply

November 29, 2016 · Jamie Court

Santa Monica, CA – Advocates from Consumer Watchdog testified today at the California Energy Commission’s Petroleum Market Advisory Committee (PMAC) that California drivers are still paying 50 cents more than US drivers as oil refiners continue to reap double their historical profits.

Consumer Group Alleges That California Refiners Are Manipulating Gasoline Prices

November 29, 2016 · Mark Reback

A consumer advocacy group contends that California refiners are holding down gasoline production to inflate prices at the pump. California gasoline prices remain at least 50 cents a gallon higher than in other areas of the country even though a major Southern California refinery that was mostly shutdown throughout 2015 is back in operation, said Jamie Court, executive director of Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog.

California Residents Race to Fight Re-Opening of Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Facility

November 27, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> On November 21, a small amount of <a href="https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bromine trifluoride</a> was accidentally released from the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in Southern California.

L.A.’s Measure RRR, Aimed At DWP Reform, Is Rejected By Voters

November 9, 2016 · Mark Reback

Voters appear to have rejected a ballot measure aimed at granting more autonomy to the scandal-plagued <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/los-angeles-department-of-water-power-ORGOVV000386-topic.html" id="ORGOVV000386" title="Los Angeles Department of Water and Power">Los Angeles Department of Water and Power</a>, one of the nation’s largest public utilities.

Critics Slam Watchdog For Ballot Omission – Advocate Of DWP Reform Might Have The Most To Gain

November 6, 2016 · Mark Reback

When Fred Pickel sat down to write the city’s official argument in favor of a ballot measure to grant more autonomy to the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/government/los-angeles-department-of-water-power-ORGOVV000386-topic.html" id="ORGOVV000386" title="Los Angeles Department of Water and Power">Los Angeles Department of Water and Power</a>, he promised voters it would make the municipally owned utility “more accountable, transparent and responsive.”

Money Flows, Developer Prevails: An L.A. City Hall ExposÃƒ© That Begs An Official Investigation

October 31, 2016 · Mark Reback

Over and over and over again, when elected officials are asked about conflicts of interest created by campaign donations, they fall back on the same answer. No need to worry. They can’t be influenced, because they make decisions based on conviction, not cash. We are free to believe this. We are also free to believe there is no climate change, and that the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/football/los-angeles-rams-ORSPT000059-topic.html" id="ORSPT000059" title="Los Angeles Rams">Rams</a> are going to win the Super Bowl.

An Incomplete State Corruption Probe

October 31, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div> Even in the midst of the heated presidential campaign, two news stories about alleged corruption in California government managed to draw significant headlines and public attention.