Energy

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

Jerry Brown’s Dirty Hands Exposed In Big Energy Deal, Says Consumer Advocate

August 24, 2016 · Mark Reback

A new report by Consumer Watchdog digs into Governor Jerry Brown’s questionable ties to big energy companies. Occidental, Chevron and NRG, all with business before the state, donated $9.8 million to Brown’s various campaigns, causes and initiatives and to the California Democratic Party since he ran for governor.

KGO 810AM – Pat Thurston Hosts Liza Tucker To Discuss “Brown’s Dirty Hands” Report

August 24, 2016 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www.kgoradio.com/2016/08/24/pat-thurston-liza-tucker/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment</a>. Liza Tucker Consumer Advocate with Consumer Watchdog discusses their new report that highlights the Brown administration’s coziness with energy companies. <div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"> <a href="http://www.capitolwatchdog.org/article/browns-dirty-hands">Read more: Brown’s Dirty Hands</a>

California Environmentalists Say Gov. Jerry Brown Has “Dirty Hands”

August 23, 2016 · Mark Reback

FEATURING LIZA TUCKER – The state of California is considered a leader in the fight against climate change. Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has positioned himself as a “climate change warrior,” signing bills to promote renewable energy. But, a new report by the group Consumer Watchdog has found a disturbing link between concessions to energy companies, and donations from those companies to Brown’s reelection campaign and some of his favorite charities.

Western States Petroleum Association Continues To Top CA Lobbying Expenses

August 16, 2016 · Mark Reback

The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), the most powerful corporate lobbying group in Sacramento, continued to dominate the lobbying spending in Sacramento in the second quarter of 2016. "If you can count on anything, it’s WSPA (Western States Petroleum Association) throwing down some serious cash on lobbying," said Stop Fooling California (http://stopfoolingca.org) in their latest newsletter, the Crude Truth. "And this quarter was no exception."

The Mystery Behind California’s High Gas Prices

August 15, 2016 · Mark Reback

Gasoline is cheap in California compared to a year ago. But it's nowhere near as cheap as it could be. Californians currently spend 49 cents more per gallon than the national average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. For most of the last year, that difference exceeded 60 cents. Several times last summer, it topped $1.

Consumer Watchdog Slams Jerry Brown Over Receiving $9.8 Million In Fossil Fuel Donations

August 15, 2016 · Mark Reback

In over 30 years of covering fish, water, conservation and environmental justice in California, this is one of the most significant and disturbing reports about regulatory capture and “play to pay" politics I have ever read. Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based consumer organization, on August 10 released an alarming report claiming that oil, gas and utilities gave $9.8 million to Governor Jerry Brown and his causes, often within days of winning big favors.

Report Blasts Brown Over Fossil-Fuel Donors

August 11, 2016 · Mark Reback

Governor's office says his environmental record makes advocacy group's claims 'cuckoo' <div class="story-body"> A Santa Monica consumer group is criticizing Gov. Jerry Brown for his ties to utilities and other companies reliant on fossil fuels, linking almost $10 million in contributions from 26 oil, gas and power companies to decisions by Brown administration officials that directly benefited the donors.

Report Finds Big Energy Companies Gave Big $ and Got Big Favors From Governor Brown With Dollars and Decisions Flowing In Close Proximity To Each Other

August 10, 2016 · Jamie Court

Consumer Watchdog today reported that twenty-six energy companies including the state’s three major investor-owned utilities, Occidental, Chevron, and NRG—all with business before the state

Consumer Watchdog Says Brown, California Dems Got $9.8M From Energy Companies For Favorable Legislation

August 10, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div> Twenty-six companies with business before the state donated $9.8 million to Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Democratic Party over the last eight years — and those donations were often made within days or weeks of winning favors. That’s the contention of “Brown’s Dirty Hands,” a report released Wednesday by the Santa Monica-based public interest group Consumer Watchdog.

California Gas Prices Draw Ire Of Consumer Advocates

August 9, 2016 · Mark Reback

An advocacy group on Thursday <a data-ajax="false" data-transition="none" href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/ca-oil-refiners-pump-profits-through-lowest-wholesale-gasoline-price-usa-and-highest-ret">blasted</a> profit reports from California's oil refiners, saying there's a huge discrepancy between wholesale and retail prices of gasoline.

Are Californians Being Taken For A Ride With High Gas Prices?

August 6, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div class="entry" data-use-autolinker="true" id="article-entry" itemprop="articleBody"> LOS ANGELES -- <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-gas-about-to-get-cheaper/">Gas prices continue to fall</a> across the country. The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.12, according to AAA. But in the most populous state -- California -- people are paying some of the nation's highest prices. A consumer watch group says California drivers are being taken for a ride.

Consumer Watchdog: Oil Companies Manipulating California Gas Prices

August 6, 2016 · Mark Reback