Energy

Auto Outlook: Robo-Cars Legal In Calif.

September 30, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>When California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill to regulate self-driving vehicles almost no one -- industry watchers or taxpayers -- objected.<br /> <br /> How times have changed from the late-1970s when Brown was given the nickname "Governor Moonbeam" for promoting such futuristic ideas as California launching its own satellites. Brown, 74, was just 36 when he was first elected governor of California.<br /> <br />

No Deception In Selling ‘Hot Fuel,’ Jury Says

September 24, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Price at the pump - Verdict is a victory for gas retailers<br /> Lawsuits shed light on practice, which some say misinforms consumers.</b></p> <p>Selling “hot fuel” — gasoline that isn’t adjusted for its temperature — does not violate the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, a federal jury in Kansas City, Kan., said Monday.</p>

White House May Try Cybersecurity End Run

September 21, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="story-summary"><strong>In the wake of Congress' failed attempt to pass a cybersecurity bill this summer, the White House has been working on an executive order to fill the gap. The order is aimed at protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from harm. It might not be enough, however. Democrats in Congress continue to try to drum up support for some government action on the matter.</strong></p>

Gas Costs More – In Absence Of Shortage

August 17, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Gas prices in California remain significantly higher than they were prior to the Aug. 6 fire at Chevron's Richmond oil refinery - despite the fact that the blaze didn't impact gasoline production in the state as initially feared.</p> <p>In fact, the state's refineries churned out more gasoline last week than they did the week before the fire, not less.</p>

Despite Falling Oil Cost, California Gas Prices Soar In Refinery Fire’s Wake

August 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Gas prices in California are soaring a week after a fire damaged the Chevron refinery in Richmond, a critical piece of the state's supply chain.<br /> <br /> Prices at the pump jumped 25.8 cents in the Sacramento area over the past week, to $4 a gallon, according to market tracker GasBuddy.com. In San Francisco, motorists are paying $4.17 a gallon, according to a separate survey by AAA.<br /> <br /> And it may be only the beginning.<br /> <br />

Despite Falling Oil Cost, California Gas Prices Soar In Refinery Fire’s Wake

August 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Gas prices in California are soaring a week after a fire damaged the Chevron refinery in Richmond, a critical piece of the state's supply chain.</p> <p>Prices at the pump jumped 25.8 cents in the Sacramento area over the past week, to $4 a gallon, according to market tracker GasBuddy.com. In San Francisco, motorists are paying $4.17 a gallon, according to a separate survey by AAA.</p> <p>And it may be only the beginning.</p> <p>"You probably won't see a break until mid- to late September," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.</p>

Tesoro To Buy Arco Brand, Carson Oil Refinery From BP

August 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<h3> The $2.5-billion deal would boost Tesoro's West Coast presence and give BP cash it needs. It also would leave Tesoro and Chevron controlling more than half of California's gasoline production.</h3> <p>Texas oil giant Tesoro Corp. said it will spend $2.5 billion to buy a sprawling refinery in Carson and other assets — including the Arco brand — from rival BP.</p> <p>The move would leave most of California's gasoline production in the hands of just two companies: Tesoro and Chevron Corp.</p>

Changes Coming To Evergreen Oil In Newark After Recent Plant Accidents

August 12, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>NEWARK, CA -- Evergreen Oil has spent months trying to improve its relationship with unhappy neighbors after years of foul odors and a large fire last year that drew citations from regulatory agencies.<br /> <br /> Those efforts may have been undercut by recent accidents, including an oil leak last month, a small fire in March, and a large explosion and fire 17 months ago that left a plant employee with a broken arm.<br /> <br /> But the recycling company has some changes in store.<br /> <br />

Richmond Oil Refinery Fire Expected To Raise Gas Prices

August 8, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=8765591">Click here to view the broadcast of this news segment</a>.</p> <p>RICHMOND, Calif. (KABC) -- California drivers, brace yourselves for another rise in gas prices.</p> <p>Consumer advocates say a major fire at an oil refinery in the San Francisco Bay area, one of the country's largest, will push gas prices above $4 for a gallon of regular on the West Coast.</p>

Senator Questions Why Refineries Cut Production

August 7, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. -- West Coast oil refiners cut gasoline production after a fire earlier this year at a Washington state refinery, creating a supply shortage that's left West Coast motorists now paying very high prices at a time when the rest of the nation is seeing prices plunge, according to an influential senator and veteran energy analyst.<br /> <br />

Attack of Noir Satire Hits ‘Arctic Ready’ Shell Oil

August 2, 2012  ·  Judy Dugan

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Oil vs Water: California’s Underground Battle

July 25, 2012  ·  Judy Dugan

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2206" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_judydrawingname.gif" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; width: 133px; height: 200px; " width="133" height="200" />The word "fracking" exploded into the American vocabulary just a few years ago.