Energy

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

Blackout Warnings From Porter Ranch Gas Leak Are Scare Tactics, Say Advocacy Groups

April 12, 2016 · Mark Reback

Local advocacy groups accused state regulators Tuesday of buying in to scare tactics after a report <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/2016_energypolicy/documents/2016-04-08_joint_agency_workshop/Aliso_Canyon_Action_Plan_to_Preserve_Gas_and_Electric_Reliability_for_the_Los_Angeles_Basin.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released last week</a> predicted 14 days of power outages and higher electricity rates in Southern California this summer if a San Fernando Valley natural gas storage facility remained offline.

Air Regulators Weigh Return of Full Operations At Exxon Mobil’s Torrance Refinery

April 1, 2016 · Mark Reback

For a year, Los Angeles area motorists have seen their gasoline prices soar as high as $1.50 a gallon more than the rest of the nation following an explosion at Exxon Mobil's Torrance refinery that destroyed the plant's pollution control system and constrained California inventories. Angry neighbors called for a permanent shutdown of the facility after reports revealed that the February 2015 explosion, which triggered state and federal investigations, could have unleashed harmful chemicals into their community.

Brown Adviser Investigated For Stock Nondisclosure

March 28, 2016 · Mark Reback

The Fair Political Practices Commission opened an investigation into Nancy E. McFadden, a former senior vice president at Pacific Gas & Electric Co., after receiving a complaint that she advised Gov. Jerry Brown on energy-related legislation and appointments to regulatory boards in 2011 and 2012 while holding $1 million in energy-related stock. The commission said it would limit its inquiry to McFadden’s failure to disclosure the stock holdings on economic interest statements in lieu of a larger conflict-of-interest investigation, citing insufficient evidence.

Governor’s Aide Is Focus Of Inquiry

March 26, 2016 · Mark Reback

State ethics panel is looking into whether Nancy McFadden failed to report the sale of stock in PG&E. The state's ethics watchdog agency has opened an investigation into whether Nancy McFadden, a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, failed to properly report the sale of stock in Pacific Gas & Electric Co., where she worked before joining the administration, officials said Thursday.

FPPC To Investigate Brown’s Top Aide

March 25, 2016 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO — The state’s political watchdog commission will investigate whether a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown failed to properly disclose her stock in her former employer Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

California Ethics Body To Review Governor’s Top Aide Filing

March 25, 2016 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's political watchdog said Thursday it is opening an investigation into whether a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown properly disclosed her stock holdings in Pacific Gas & Electric Corp, but declined to launch an investigation into a more serious allegation that her holdings posed a conflict of interest.

Top Jerry Brown Aide’s PG&E Stock Disclosure Investigated

March 24, 2016 · Mark Reback

California’s campaign finance watchdog will investigate whether a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown accurately disclosed the status of her stock holdings in a major utility.

Gasoline Price-Gouging Indications Grow Stronger

March 22, 2016 · Mark Reback

As corporate profit reports rolled in this winter from the gasoline refining industry, the case for gas price gouging grew steadily stronger.

Jerry Brown Aide Had Interest In Siding With PG&E, Group Says

March 15, 2016 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO — A consumer group has filed a complaint asserting that a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown had a financial interest in helping her former employer Pacific Gas and Electric Co. lobby for friendly appointees to the California Public Utilities Commission and influencing legislation that would benefit the firm.

Corruption Allegations Get Closer To Brown

March 15, 2016 · Mark Reback

Gov. Jerry Brown has tried for many months to ignore the growing scent of corruption now afflicting his administration, instead pushing the worldwide battle against climate change even as he virtually ignored the world's largest methane leak while it spewed greenhouse gases for months in his backyard.

Consumer Group Files Formal Complaint Of Conflict Against Gov. Jerry Brown’s Top Aide

March 14, 2016 · Carmen Balber

A consumer advocates group filed a complaint Friday with the state’s ethics agency seeking an investigation into whether a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown influenced appointments to the state Public Utilities Commission while she owned stock in Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which was seeking utility-friendly decisions.

Group Seeks Ethics Review Of Top Aide To California Governor

March 14, 2016 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A former executive of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. signed an agreement to protect the reputation of the utility as part of a $1 million settlement she reached with PG&E when she left to work as a top aide for the California governor, a consumer group alleged in a complaint filed with the state's political watchdog.