Energy

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

Comcast-Time Warner Deal Would Be Bad News For Consumers And Valley Startups

February 16, 2014 · Mark Reback

At first glance, Comcast's proposed merger with Time Warner Cable may not look like it would matter much to the Bay Area, since only Comcast is available here. But the deal is bad news for both local Comcast customers and for Silicon Valley's Internet companies.

Consumer Groups Want Government To Reject Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal

February 13, 2014 · Mark Reback

The proposed acquisition raises concerns about the combined company's market power, opponents say IDG News Service - Antitrust enforcement agencies should reject a proposed US$45.2 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable by Comcast, because it would give the combined company huge market power in the broadband and cable TV industries, a handful of consumer and digital rights groups said.

Keystone XL Builder Has Explosive Problems

February 5, 2014 · Judy Dugan

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2728" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/keystonecanda.png" style="width: 200px; height: 200px; float: right; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" width="403" height="403" />TransCanada, the company that would build and own the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada’s tar sand fields to the U.S. Gulf Coast, has dialed up its lobbying in Congress after a U.S. State Department report that favored the pipeline. The giant oil pipeline is perfectly clean and safe, say the lobbyists. TransCanada will be using the best, newest technology, monitoring and materials.

U.S. PTO: Consumer Group Lacks Standing To Appeal Stem Cell Patent

January 31, 2014 · Mark Reback

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, in a federal court filing this month, argues that a consumer group challenging a patent on stem cells does not have standing to appeal the agency’s review decision. <a href="http://legalnewsline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/USPTOlogo.png"><img alt="USPTOlogo" class="alignleft wp-image-246895" height="210" src="http://legalnewsline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/USPTOlogo.png" width="210" /></a>

LA TIMES INVESTIGATION – Toxic Waste Watchdog Can Be Glacially Slow

December 27, 2013 · Consumer Watchdog

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is supposed to use regulations, fines and the threat of legal action to protect the environment. But its oversight is often ineffectual. One summer Saturday in the Bay Area city of Richmond, nitric acid leaked from a tank at a metal plating company, forming a toxic cloud that floated over a neighborhood of small houses and stucco apartments.

Environmental Advocate Claims DTSC Trying To Make Wildomar Investigation ‘Disappear’

December 13, 2013 · Mark Reback

After testing soil, soil gas and groundwater samples from specific locations within the allegedly toxic housing tract of Autumnwood in Wildomar, <a href="http://lakeelsinore-wildomar.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/state-testing-finds-wildomar-neighborhood-is-not-contaminated">officials with California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Toxic Substances Control announced preliminary findings this week that claim the neighborhood is safe.</a> But the release of that data has drawn sharp criticism from some.

Op-Ed Commentary: Raise The Cap On Medical Malpractice Damages

October 28, 2013 · Mark Reback

<div id="text-pages"> <div class="page" style="display: block;"> The following Op-Ed Commentary was <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Raise-the-cap-on-medical-malpractice-damages-4930864.php">published in the San Francisco Chronicle on Mon., Oct. 29th, 2013</a>.

California Becomes First In The Nation To Propose Chromium-6 Safe Water Limit

August 22, 2013 · Mark Reback

California became the first state in the nation on Thursday to propose a safe-water limit on cancer-causing chromium-6, made famous in the film “Erin Brockovich.”

Fracking Foe Blasts Legislative Aides for Energy Company Holdings

August 8, 2013 · Consumer Watchdog

SACRAMENTO -- As a showdown nears on legislation that would regulate hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in California, one prominent activist is criticizing four aides to Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) for their holdings in energy company stocks. Fracking is a controversial process that involves injecting water and chemicals into the ground to break up rock and increase production of oil and natural gas. Opponents say fracking fouls groundwater, pollutes the air and may raise the risk of earthquakes.

Medical Malpractice Issue Again Hits California Capitol

August 4, 2013 · Mark Reback

One of the Capitol's longest-running battles – over the state's $250,000 cap on pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice lawsuits – is heating up again. Consumer Attorneys of California, whose members press malpractice suits, wants the Legislature to lift the cap or repeal it.

Battle Lines Drawn In Fight To Raise Malpractice Awards

July 25, 2013 · Mark Reback

The fight to lift the 40-year-old cap on pain and suffering damages is headed for voters, unless the Legislature can help find a compromise. But that seems unlikely.

Sacramento Bee Op-Ed: Another View: Toxic Waste Watchdog Rewards Serial Polluter

July 21, 2013 · Mark Reback

The state's top toxics regulator just pulled a fast one on a farming community suffering birth defects and infant deaths. The Department of Toxic Substances Control signaled it would grant a serial toxic polluter – Chemical Waste Management – a permit to expand its operations greatly at the controversial Kettleman City hazardous waste dump.