Energy

Utilities Commission Reforms: Take 3

December 5, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>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.</p>

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

December 2, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p style="">The California Democratic Party recently announced that it would no longer accept political contributions from Big Oil. Bravo.</p> <p style="">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.</p>

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

November 29, 2016  ·  Jamie Court

<p>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.  </p>

Consumer Group Alleges That California Refiners Are Manipulating Gasoline Prices

November 29, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A consumer advocacy group contends that California refiners are holding down gasoline production to inflate prices at the pump.</p> <p style="">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.</p>

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"> <p align="LEFT">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.</p>

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

November 9, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>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.</p>

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

November 6, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>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.”</p>

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

October 31, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>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.</p> <p>No need to worry. They can’t be influenced, because they make decisions based on conviction, not cash.</p> <p>We are free to believe this.</p> <p>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.</p>

An Incomplete State Corruption Probe

October 31, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<div> <p>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.</p>

PG&E Proposes 8-Year Rate Increase To Cover Diablo Canyon Closure

October 26, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<div> <p>SAN FRANCISCO >> PG&E customers will see an increase in their electricity bills if state regulators approve rate increases linked to the proposed closure of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.</p> <p>The average bill for a typical residential customer using 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month would rise 1.6 percent, according to PG&E spokesman Blair Jones. That means the average electricity bill would increase from $96.94 to $98.48 — a monthly jump of $1.54.</p>

Brown Signs Bills To Reform CPUC, Urges Administrative Fixes Too

September 29, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Gov. <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/topic/politics-government/jerry-brown-PEPLT007547-topic.html" id="PEPLT007547" title="Jerry Brown">Jerry Brown</a> signed five bills Thursday aimed at reform for the California Public Utilities Commission and called on the agency to take additional steps to impose changes of its own.</p>

Oil Refinery Merger in California Underscores Risks of Petro-Economy Nationwide

September 28, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>In a region known for being among the worst nationally for its air quality, plans are marching briskly forward on a proposed integration project that will combine operations at two sprawling oil refineries near Southern California's Long Beach area, expanding it into the single largest oil refinery by far on the nation's West Coast.</p>