Wildfire Survivors, Consumer Groups, Insurers, Public Entities Oppose Limits on Survivors’ Rights At Hearings In CA Capitol On CEA SB 254 Report

Oil Permits Surge In First Q 2026 With Majority For Dangerous Extraction Techniques; Watchdogs Warn New State Drilling Law Unfair

Watchdog Warns of Continued Gasoline Price Spikes Without Promised Energy Commission Rules

Energy

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

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."

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.

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.

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

CA Oil Refiners Pump Up Profits Through Lowest Wholesale Gasoline Price in USA And Highest Retail Prices; Refinery CEO Investor Comments Points To Market Rigging

August 4, 2016 · Jamie Court

Santa Monica, CA – Consumer Watchdog pointed today to big new California oil profit reports, gasoline pricing data and a candid remark from a refinery...

Torrance Oil Refinery Scoffs At Consumer Group’s ‘Smoking Gun’ Claim On Gasoline Price Fixing

August 4, 2016 · Mark Reback

<div> A nonprofit group that has repeatedly accused the oil industry of collusion to keep gasoline prices high in California reiterated that charge Thursday, pointing to new earnings reports, price data and remarks made by PBF Energy, the owner of the Torrance refinery. Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said the Santa Monica-based group would provide the evidence it collected to the state Attorney General’s Office, which is investigating possible manipulation of California pump prices.

Consumer Group Accuses Refiners Of Keeping California Gasoline Prices Unusually High