Energy Reports

Politico – Democrats retreat on climate: ‘It’s one of the more disappointing turnabouts’

By Jeremy B. White and Camille von Kaenel, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/07/democrats-climate-retreat-california-energy-00439882 SACRAMENTO, California - Donald Trump is coming for California's signature climate policies - and so is California. Stung by the party's sweeping...

Politico – Democrats retreat on climate: ‘It’s one of the more disappointing turnabouts’

By  JEREMY B. WHITE and  CAMILLE VON KAENEL, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/07/democrats-climate-retreat-california-energy-00439882 SACRAMENTO, California — Donald Trump is coming for California’s signature climate policies — and so is California. Stung by the party’s sweeping losses in November...

San Diego Union-Tribune – California Energy Commission calls for shelving plans to fine oil companies

By Rob Nikolewski, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/27/california-energy-commission-calls-for-shelving-plans-to-fine-oil-companies/ In the wake of plans by two refineries to close down, the California Energy Commission offered a series of recommendations Friday to Gov....

Reuters – California should raise fuel imports, pause margin cap, regulator says

By Shariq Khan, REUTERS https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/california-should-support-fuel-imports-find-ways-retain-refiners-regulator-says-2025-06-27 NEW YORK, June 27 (Reuters) - California's energy regulator on Friday recommended new rules to encourage more private investment in fuel imports and a pause on...

ABC 7: Silicon Valley democrat pushes controversial energy bill, refuses questions about $100K+ advisor gig

https://youtu.be/lAQhxK2LVno By Stephanie Sierra, ABC7 https://abc7news.com/post/senate-bill-540-ca-state-senator-josh-becker-refuses-answer-questions-energy-donations-100k-advisor-gig/16718061 SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- As California faces worsening climate disasters, Silicon Valley Democrats are pushing a bill that could give control of the state's energy markets to...

New York Times – As Energy Costs Surge, Eastern Governors Blame a Grid Manager

By Ivan Penn, NEW YORK TIMES http://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/business/energy-environment/ For decades, a little-known nonprofit organization has played a central role in keeping the lights on for 65 million people in the Eastern United...

The Mercury News – California Senate greenlights energy reform bills as Democrats pursue “affordability”

By Grant Stringer, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/06/california-senate-energy-reform-bills-democrats-affordability/?clearUserState=true After falling short last year, lawmakers in the state Senate are advancing bills intended to give customers relief from rising electricity bills and rein in...

Daily Kos – CA Senate Votes for Regional Electricity Deregulation Bill Despite Concerns About Trump

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/6/7/2326553/-CA-Senate-Votes-for-Regional-Electricity-Deregulation-Bill-Despite-Concerns-About-Trump You know when a MAGA Republican Senator calls a piece of controversial energy legislation a “Big Beautiful Bill” that it isn’t going to serve the residents of the...

East Bay Times – Elias: Blame oil industry, not government, for California’s high gas prices

Chevron, state's largest oil refiner, directly linked to major client of author who wrote study predicting rise to $8 a gallon By THOMAS D. ELIAS, EAST BAY TIMES https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/06/06/elias-blame-oil-industry-not-government-for-californias-high-gas-prices/ Academics have known for...

The San Diego Union-Tribune – Will California’s high gas prices go even higher?

By Rob Nikolewski, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/05/26/will-californias-high-gas-prices-go-even-higher/ For decades, gasoline in California has been more expensive than in other parts of the country, but there are predictions that already high...

Enterprise Record – Ethical issue dogs ‘$8 per gallon’ gasoline study | California Focus

By Thomas Elias, ENTERPRISE RECORD https://www.chicoer.com/2025/05/21/ethical-issue-dogs-8-per-gallon-gasoline-study-california-focus/ Academics have known for many years the potential for conflicts of interest when they conduct studies or write reports on products or companies for which...

The Lever – A Potential Trump Power Grab, Brought To You By Democrats

Big Tech-backed Democrats could hand one of the country’s largest and greenest energy markets to Trump and his fossil fuel acolytes. By Freddy Brewster, THE LEVER https://www.levernews.com/p/759ba18d-252b-437c-82e0-0aa26c66574f/?member_status=free Amid ever-worsening climate disasters, Silicon...

San Diego Union-Tribune – Is Gavin Newsom changing his tune with the oil industry?

By Rob Nikolewski, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/04/25/is-gavin-newsom-changing-his-tune-with-the-oil-industry/ Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to be taking a friendlier tone regarding the petroleum industry, as two refineries recently announced they would close down operations...

The Mercury News – Opinion: Will California sell out its clean energy policies to help power AI?

By Jamie Court, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/04/19/opinion-california-clean-energy-ai/ Nearly 30 years ago California legislators faced a test of their integrity in voting for an electricity deregulation scheme that ratepayers are still paying for....

Cal Matters – How labor killed a bill to let California wildfire victims sue Big Oil for climate change

By Ryan Sabalow, CALMATTERS https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/04/california-oil-union-climate-bill/ Oil companies had their hackles up this year after Sen. Scott Wiener introduced a controversial bill that would allow victims of wildfires and other climate disasters...

Community Voice – Western Regional grid imperils independence

By Thomas Elias, COMMUNITY VOICE https://www.thecommunityvoice.com/opinion/columnists/western-regional-grid-imperils-california-independence/article_205937d1-fc49-416e-ac73-71aed574b5b1.html If California wants power company executives from coal-happy states like Wyoming and Utah to run energy policy in this state, then the state Senate should...

Monterey Herald – Rooftop solar is not the culprit behind high California electric bills, advocates say

By TERI SFORZA, MONTEREY HERALD https://www.montereyherald.com/2025/04/06/rooftop-solar-is-not-the-culprit-behind-high-electric-bills-advocates-say/ That $8.5 billion “cost shift” that regulators say falls on non-solar customers and is partly responsible for our outrageous electric bills? It doesn’t exist. No, rooftop solar...

Enterprise-Record – Western regional grid imperils state’s independence

By Thomas Elias, ENTERPRISE RECORD https://www.chicoer.com/2025/03/19/western-regional-grid-imperils-states-independence-california-focus/ If California wants power company executives from coal-happy states like Wyoming and Utah to run energy policy in this state, then the state Senate should...

Politico – Don’t Ferc With My Energy Market

By Camille von Kaenel, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2025/03/11/teslas-best-frenemy-00225554?nname=california-climate&nid=00000189-315c-d8dd-a1ed-797dc9f10000&nrid=0000014f-890a-d780-a9ef-9d7a82c30000 The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications will meet tomorrow to discuss the West-Wide Governance Pathway Initiative, a long-awaited — and long-debated — proposal...

Orange County Register – Why are our electric rates are so insane, and what can we do about it?

By Teri Sforza, Orange County Register https://www.ocregister.com/2025/03/02/why-are-our-electric-rates-are-so-insane-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/ The choices we've made have led to the pickle we're in. Our electric bills in California are the highest in the nation, save for poor...

TURN – San Diego Gas & Electric Reports $891 Million in Profit in 2024

By Lee Trotman, TURN https://www.turn.org/press-releases/san-diego-gas-electric-reports-891-million-in-profit-in-2024 San Diego, CA -- San Diego Gas & Electric today reported near-record profits of $891 million off the backs of customers. SDG&E's earnings report follows over...

Environmental Working Group – California clean energy experts and consumer advocates expose utility spending and excessive profits as true cause of soaring electric bills

By Alex Formuzis, EWG https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2025/02/california-clean-energy-experts-and-consumer-advocates-expose CALIFORNIA – During a press briefing hosted by the Environmental Working Group on Wednesday, clean energy experts and consumer advocates presented new research that debunks claims...

Chico Enterprise-Record – Editorial: Another year, more record profits for PG&E

By Editorial Board, CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD https://www.chicoer.com/2025/02/23/another-year-more-record-profits-for-pacific-gas-and-electric-editorial/ Have you heard the news? PG&E is reporting record profits for the past year. Normally, this is where we’d say, “Stop us if you’ve heard this...

Mercury News – PG&E reports profit of more than $2 billion for 2024

By George Avalos, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/13/pge-profit-electric-gas-utility-fire-economy-bay-area-oakland-san-jose/ OAKLAND PG&E reported on Thursday that it had a profit of just under $2.48 billion in 2024, an increase from the $2.24 billion the company...

Daily Kos – New 2024 CA Oil Drilling Permits Drop to 73, But Oil Regulators Drop Ball on Bonding

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/story/2025/2/5/2301645/-New-2024-CA-Oil-Drilling-Permits-Drop-to-73-But-Oil-Regulators-Drop-Ball-on-Bonding Los Angeles, CA—Approvals for new oil well drilling permits in California dwindled to 73 in 2024 from 2,664 in 2019 when Governor Newsom took office. However,...

Politico – By The Numbers

By Blanca Begert, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2025/02/04/why-tesla-needs-a-trump-lifeline-00202519?nname=california-climate&nid=00000189-315c-d8dd-a1ed-797dc9f10000&nrid=9df49bfd-52ce-419e-b9c2-dba48e0990e3 OIL COUNT: The U.S. may have had a record high year for oil drilling, but in California new oil and gas well permits hover near record lows. The state...

Politico – A Christmas gift for California oil refiners

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/12/05/a-christmas-gift-for-california-oil-refiners-00192953?nname=california-climate&nid=00000189-315c-d8dd-a1ed-797dc9f10000&nrid=0000014f-890a-d780-a9ef-9d7a82c30000&nlid=2745178 CHECK BACK IN SPRING: Oil refiners’ profits are safe, at least for now, from the California Energy Commission. The agency said today that it’s again delaying its decision...

Politico – California Energy Commission delays decision on profit cap for oil refiners

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/12/energy-commission-delays-decision-on-profit-cap-for-oil-refiners-00192927?site=pro&prod=alert&prodname=alertmail&linktype=article&source=email SACRAMENTO, California — The California Energy Commission is delaying a decision it planned to make this month on whether it will cap oil refiners’ profits, the...

Bakersfield.com – Grove bill would apply ethics standard to oil imports

By Jon Cox, BAKERSFIELD.COM https://www.bakersfield.com/news/grove-bill-would-apply-ethics-standard-to-oil-imports/article_47b233b8-b1a4-11ef-b981-1b547f2bff04.html Policy positions long advocated by Kern County's petroleum industry would come to the fore under a bill announced this week by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield,...

Politico – Lawmakers want to have their Thanksgiving pie — and eat it too

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/11/27/lawmakers-want-to-have-their-thanksgiving-pie-and-eat-it-too-00192002 SENTINEL STRIKES BACK: The operator of the largest urban oil field in California is suing the state over Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s recent bill to impose stiff fines on...

Los Angeles Times – Inglewood Oil Field owner sues California

By Tony Briscoe, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-11-28/inglewood-oil-field-owner-sues-california The owner of the Inglewood Oil Field is suing the state of California in an attempt to invalidate a state law that will require...

Daily Kos – New Report on Big Oil’s Front Groups in California Exposes A ‘Decade of Deception’

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/11/25/2288709/-New-Report-on-Big-Oil-s-Front-Groups-in-California-Exposes-A-Decade-of-Deception The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), the most powerful corporate lobbying group in California, has spent tens of millions of dollars creating and funding faux...

Mercury News – California is about to change fuel standards. That means higher gas prices. But how high?

By Rob Nikolewski, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/11/04/will-tougher-fuel-standards-send-gas-prices-through-the-roof/ In a vote scheduled for Friday, the California Air Resources Board is expected to set stricter carbon intensity targets across the state for transportation fuels,...

The Daily Kos – Big Oil spent $16.9 million lobbying California officials in second quarter of 2024

By Dan Bacher, THE DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/11/1/2281679/-Big-Oil-spent-16-9-million-lobbying-California-officials-in-second-quarter-of-2024 Despite California’s “green” image, Big Oil continues to spend millions of dollars in lobbying California officials to thwart climate bills and other environmental legislation...

The Los Angeles Times – Another refinery shuts down in California. What happens to gas prices?

By Russ Mitchell, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-10-18/another-refinery-shuts-down-in-california-what-happens-to-gas-prices California's attempt to manage a smooth transition away from gasoline just got roughed up with this week's decision by Phillips 66 to shutter its refinery in Wilmington...

Mercury News – Gov. Newsom signs bill he says will help avoid gas price spikes

By Kristin J. Bender, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/10/14/gas-bill-that-gov-newsom-says-will-stabilize-gas-prices-heads-for-his-desk/ Surrounded by legislative backers, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill that he says will end gas price hikes and stop the oil...

Politico – The Case Of The Missing 47 Cents

By BLANCA BEGERT, POLITICO With help from Wes Venteicher, Mike Lee, Timothy Cama and Alex Nieves https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/10/07/the-case-of-the-missing-47-cents-00182798?nname=california-climate&nid=00000189-315c-d8dd-a1ed-797dc9f10000&nrid=0000014f-890a-d780-a9ef-9d7a82c30000&nlid=2745178 THE OTHER GAS PRICE DEBATE: Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to rein in gas prices with one hand...

The Ukiah Daily Journal – The Observer: Assembly Passes Minimum Gasoline Inventories Bill To Curb Gouging

By Jim Shields, THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2024/10/06/the-observer-geigers-hopland-market-apparently-in-default-on-second-loan/ This past Monday as I drove by the Laytonville Chevron station I saw that the price of regular gas had dropped from $5.19...

Sacramento Bee – Reactions To Tuesday’s Assembly Floor Vote

By Andrew Sheeler, SACRAMENTO BEE https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article293334794.html On Tuesday, the Assembly voted to send ABX2-1 to the Senate, which has yet to reconvene for the special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom....

San Diego Union Tribune – Bill requiring minimum gasoline storage levels in California passes Assembly

The legislation, passed in a special session, now heads to the Senate next week By ROB NIKOLEWSKI, SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/10/01/bill-requiring-minimum-gasoline-storage-levels-in-california-passes-assembly/ A bill that would require refineries in California to maintain...

The Ukiah Daily Journal – The Observer

By Jim Shields, THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2024/09/29/the-observer/ Legislators told that minimum Inventories are necessary to combat gas gouging  On Thursday, Sept. 19, my main man at Consumer Watchdog, President Jamie Court, tore...

Office Of Governor Newsom – Ahead of First Special Session Vote, Gov. Newsom Meets With Supporters of Proposal to Prevent Gas Price Spikes

By The Office Of Governor Newsom https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/26/ahead-of-first-special-session-vote-governor-newsom-meets-with-supporters-of-proposal-to-prevent-gas-price-spikes Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 26, 2024: Ahead of the first vote of the special session on gasoline price...

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom – Special session hearings prove case for proposal to prevent gas price spikes

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/20/special-session-hearings-prove-case-for-proposal-to-prevent-gas-price-spikes The following information was released by the office of the Governor of California: The Assembly hosted its first hearings of the special session on gas price...

Daily Kos – CA oil regulators issue 35 new well drilling permits in second quarter of 2024

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/9/21/2272020/-CA-oil-regulators-issue-35-new-well-drilling-permits-in-first-six-months-of-2024 Los Angeles, CA – California oil and gas regulators approved 35 new oil and gas well drilling permits in 2024’s second quarter, a big leap from zero new permits approved in...

Mercury News – Newsom’s gas price proposal debated at special session legislative hearings

By Kristin J. Bender, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/09/19/newsoms-gas-price-proposal-debated-at-special-session-legislative-hearings/ Lawmakers gathered in Sacramento this week in a bid to prevent from soaring in the Golden State. The first two hearings of the state Assembly's...

Cap Radio – Lawmakers embark on second special session aimed at lowering gas prices

By Laura Fitzgerald, CAP RADIO https://www.capradio.org/articles/2024/09/18/lawmakers-embark-on-second-special-session-aimed-at-lowering-gas-prices Special session proceedings started in the Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers held informational hearings on Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal aimed at lowering gas prices. This...

Politico – It’s the politics, stupid

By Debra Kahn, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/09/04/its-the-politics-stupid-00177448 FAST THEN SLOW: What’s behind Gov. Gavin Newsom’s urgency around prices at the pump? Even if Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire accede to Newsom’s special session demand...

Politico – Newsom is riding gas prices right into the election

By Debra Kahn, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/09/03/newsom-is-riding-gas-prices-right-into-the-election-00177247?nname=california-climate&nid=00000189-315c-d8dd-a1ed-797dc9f10000&nrid=0000014f-890a-d780-a9ef-9d7a82c30000&nlid=2745178 GAS PRICE RODEO: Gov. Gavin Newsom is essentially ensuring a debate about California’s high energy prices extends deeper into election season. His move Saturday to call a special legislative session...

The Mercury News – Gov. Newsom unveils plan to require oil companies to maintain minimum fuel reserves

By Kristin J. Bender, THE MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/08/15/gov-newsom-unveils-plan-to-require-oil-companies-to-maintain-minimum-fuel-reserves/ California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a first-in-the-nation plan to require petroleum refiners to maintain a minimum fuel reserve to avoid supply...

The Bakersfield Californian – Trio of bills puts new pressure on oil industry

By John Cox, BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN https://www.bakersfield.com/news/trio-of-bills-puts-new-pressure-on-oil-industry/article_7a53af0a-58cf-11ef-adc7-3f5b5307d7dc.html A legislative fight important to Kern's oil industry may come to a head this week as lawmakers consider a pair of bills dealing with idle...

Mercury News – Gas prices plummet in California over past three months

Prices have dipped 78 cents a gallon since April By Kristin Bender, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/08/02/gas-prices-plummet-in-california-over-past-three-months/ California gas prices have been sliding lower over the past three months, a reflection of falling oil...

Politico – Climate Newsletter, Merger Revisited

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/08/02/chevron-heads-for-houston-cue-the-mud-slinging-00172541 MERGER, REVISITED: The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog is trying again to get California to impose hefty costs on the recent merger of two giant oil companies. The group...

Mercury News – Elias: California should use year-old law, limit gas price gouging

By Thomas Elias, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/06/28/elias-california-should-use-year-old-law-limit-gas-price-gouging/# The gasoline price gouging that has plagued California periodically for decades appears no longer to be merely sporadic. It's now a steady phenomenon. There was shock...

The Los Angeles Times – Editorial: Big Oil lost ballot battle, but will still fight to drill near California homes

By The Times Editorial Board https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-07-08/editorial-big-oil-lost-ballot-battle-but-will-still-fight-to-drill-near-california-homes The oil industry’s recent decision to abandon its effort to repeal California’s neighborhood oil drilling restrictions and pull its referendum from the November ballot is a big...

The Mercury News – California should use year-old law, limit gas price gouging

By Thomas Elias, THE MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/06/28/elias-california-should-use-year-old-law-limit-gas-price-gouging/# The gasoline price gouging that has plagued California periodically for decades appears no longer to be merely sporadic. It's now a steady phenomenon. There was...

Politico – Oil industry group drops ballot initiative to drill near California homes

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/06/oil-industry-group-drops-ballot-initiative-to-drill-near-california-homes-00165248 SACRAMENTO, California — An oil industry group is withdrawing its ballot challenge to a California law that bans drilling within 3,200 feet of homes, businesses and...

Politico – California Senate advances bill to penalize oil production near homes

BY WES VENTEICHER, POLITICO SACRAMENTO, California — A California state Senate committee voted Tuesday to approve a bill targeting low-production oil wells within 3,200 feet of homes and schools, raising...

Chico Enterprise-Record – It’s time the gas gougers are held responsible

By Tom Elias, CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD https://www.chicoer.com/2024/06/12/its-time-the-gas-gougers-are-held-responsible-california-focus/# The gasoline price gouging that has plagued California periodically for decades appears no longer to be merely sporadic. It’s now a steady phenomenon.  There was shock...

The Center Square – As Calif. considers refinery profit caps, Ariz., Nev. fear rising gas prices

By Kenneth Schrupp, THE CENTER SQUARE https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_2a002ae8-0d6f-11ef-98a3-23aafa7ad2d6.html (The Center Square) - As the California Energy Commission considers adopting a rule to put profit caps on the state's remaining 9 refineries the...

Politico – Gavin Newsom is coming for your car, and he wants you to know it

By WES VENTEICHER, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/09/gavin-newsom-climate-message-california-00156954 SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking California’s climate story — with its big ambitions and political risks — on the road. The Democratic governor, Biden surrogate...

Cap Radio – New California bills hope to mitigate health impacts linked to living near oil, gas wells

https://www.capradio.org/articles/2024/05/07/new-california-bills-hope-to-mitigate-health-impacts-linked-to-living-near-oil-gas-wells By Manola Secaira, CAP RADIO Two years ago, California legislators passed a law requiring a 3,200 foot setback between new oil and gas wells and community areas like neighborhoods and...

Daily Kos – Watchdog Exposes Phony Oil Refiner Arguments In Price Gouging Penalty Proceeding

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/5/7/2239438/-Watchdog-Exposes-Phony-Oil-Refiner-Arguments-In-Price-Gouging-Penalty-Proceeding?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web Sacramento, CA –  In comments filed with the California Energy Commission (CEC) Friday, Consumer Watchdog made the case for a maximum gross refining margin that...

Elk Grove News – New Oil Drilling Permit Approvals Fall To Zero For First Time Since Newsom Came To Office

By Dan Bacher, ELK GROVE NEWS https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/04/new-oil-drilling-permit-approvals-fall.html Newsom's regulators have issued a total of 15,940 well permits of all types since he took office in 2019. “At the same time, permits to...

Downtown LA News -We Can Do This: Stop throwing your money away

By Ellen Snortland, DOWNTOWN LA NEWS https://www.ladowntownnews.com/opinion/consider_this/we-can-do-this-stop-throwing-your-money-away/article_134b9cde-e8a2-11ee-8e1e-4fcb4283fd76.html “Am I dreaming? Growing up, we used to take bottles and cans back to grocery stores,” I told Consumer Watchdog’s consumer advocate, Liza Tucker....

San Diego Union Tribune – Here’s why San Diego gas prices are going up again

By Rob Nikolewski, SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-03-25/the-average-price-for-gasoline-in-san-diego-once-again-climbs-over-5-a-gallon San Diegans have another bit of inflation aggravation to deal with as the average price for regular-grade gasoline is back over the $5...

California bill targets low-production wells in 3,200-foot setback zone

BY WES VENTEICHER, POLITICO https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/03/california-bill-targets-low-production-wells-in-3-200-foot-setback-zone-00147809 SACRAMENTO, California — A new proposal in the California State Assembly would impose a $10,000-per-day fine on oil companies operating low-production oil and gas wells within 3,200...

Politico – Oil industry urges California regulators to delay new market disclosures (back)

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO https://www.eenews.net/articles/oil-industry-urges-california-regulators-to-delay-new-market-disclosures/#:~:text=SACRAMENTO%2C%20California%20—%20Oil%20and%20business,than%20lowering%20them%20as%20intended. SACRAMENTO, California — Oil and business groups urged the California Energy Commission on Monday to delay imposing new data reporting requirements on oil and gas companies,...

DeSmog – As CRC Prepares to Buy Aera, New Law to Stem Orphan Wells Faces its First Test

The deal would place 40 percent of California’s idle wells in the hands of one operator. Campaigners warn this poses an “immense” risk to the state — which new...

The Los Angeles Times – Editorial:  What’s behind California’s high gas prices? Don’t trust the oil industry for answers

By The Times Editorial Board, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-03-18/editorial-whats-behind-californias-high-gas-prices-dont-trust-the-oil-industry-for-answers If you live in California you’ve probably run across ads blaming high gasoline prices on state laws and policies. They’re online, on...

E&E News – Oil-friendly ad blitz targets Calif. climate policies

By Anne Mulkern, E&E NEWS https://www.eenews.net/articles/oil-friendly-ad-blitz-targets-calif-climate-policies/#:~:text=climate%20policies,-By%20Anne%20C&text=Coalitions%20that%20won%27t%20reveal,higher%20gas%20and%20electricity%20prices. Oil industry allies in California are filling television and computer screens statewide with a multimillion-dollar ad campaign that blames state climate policies for pushing up...

Politico – Pressure at the Pump

By Wes Venteicher, Politico California Climate PRESSURE AT THE PUMP: A group of environmental and consumer groups is pressuring the California Energy Commission to hurry up and impose a profit cap...

POLITICO – Department of Finance repays loan to CalRecycle as beverage recycling costs rise

Consumer advocates had raised concerns the fund wouldn’t have enough money to cover greater recycling rates and upcoming reforms. By Camille Von Kaenel, POLITICO https://politicopro.com/article/2024/02/department-of-finance-repays-loan-to-calrecycle-as-beverage-recycling-costs-rise-00144255?source=email SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California officials told lawmakers...

Elk Grove News – Big Oil pumped $25.4 million into lobbying California officials in 2023

By Dan Bacher, ELK GROVE NEWS https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/02/big-oil-pumped-254-million-into.html Big Oil spent more money on lobbying in California in 2023 than any other year on record besides 2017.  The oil and gas industry spent $25,445,606 on lobbying...

E&E News – Californians already pay sky-high pump prices. It might get much worse.

By Anne Mulkern, E&E NEWS https://www.eenews.net/articles/californians-already-pay-sky-high-pump-prices-it-might-get-much-worse California gasoline pump prices could jump by as much as 47 cents per gallon next year under a proposed overhaul of a state regulation on...

Politico – CalRecycle director stepping down in March

By Megan Quinn, POLITICO https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/02/calrecycle-director-to-step-down-00141319 Rachel Machi Wagoner, director of CalRecycle, will step down from the role on March 5, she announced on Tuesday.  "I am so incredibly proud of the work...

Elk Grove News – Big Gas and Big Oil spent a record $27 million lobbying in California in 2023!

By Dan Bacher, ELK GROVE NEWS https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/02/big-gas-and-big-oil-spent-record-27.html Chevron topped fossil fuel lobbying expenses with $11.3 million in 2023 Big Oil and Big Gas spent an all-time record of $27,003,931 on lobbying in...

The Mercury News – California energy panel should limit oil refiners’ profit margins

By Thomas Elias, THE MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/13/elias-california-energy-panel-should-limit-oil-refiners-profit-margins For many years, California drivers and Republican politicians have blamed Democrats and high gas taxes for the huge difference in the price of gasoline...

Sacramento Bee – California’s new oil czar wants to end mysterious gas price spikes. Here’s his plan so far

By Ari Plachta, SACRAMNETO BEE https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article284917677.html California’s new gasoline industry watchdog wants to see mysterious price spikes at the pump come to an end. After months of investigation, he shared...

Politico – Newsom oil czar issues first recommendations to prevent gas price spikes (back)

By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO The agency Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers created a year ago to do something about gasoline price spikes is pitching two changes the oil industry doesn’t...

VC Star – Energy commission takes Step 1; limit on gas prices should be next

By Thomas Elias, VC STAR https://www.vcstar.com/story/opinion/2024/01/29/energy-commission-takes-step-1-limit-on-gas-prices-should-be-next/72395493007/# For many years, California drivers and Republican politicians have blamed Democrats and high gas taxes for the huge difference in the price of gasoline here...

Reuters – California and Big Oil are splitting after century-long affair

By Sabrina Valle, REUTERS https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/california-big-oil-are-splitting-after-century-long-affair-2024-01-29/ It is the end of an era for Big Oil in California, as the most populous U.S. state divorces itself from fossil fuels in its fight...

Politico – Budget Gap

By Dustin Gardner, POLITICO BUDGET GAP: Consumer Watchdog has pointed out a nearly $300 million discrepancy in the balance of the state’s CRV fund — the account that holds the nickel...

Ventura County Star – Why a Newsom veto of last-minute oil company bill may help drivers

By Thomas Elias, VC STAR https://www.vcstar.com/story/opinion/2023/12/21/why-a-newsom-veto-may-help-drivers/71993335007/ One Gavin Newsom veto of a seemingly obscure, last-second effort to help boost oil company profits even beyond their prior high levels stands out as...

Daily Kos – Big Oil Misleads With False Claims That Decreased CA Crude Oil Production Leads To Higher Gas Prices

By Dan Bacher, THE DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/12/19/2212653/-Big-Oil-Misleads-With-False-Claims-That-Decreased-CA-Crude-Oil-Production-Leads-To-Higher-Gas-Prices Los Angeles, CA -- When you see deceptive Facebook and television ads spreading disinformation about oil drilling and prices, you can be sure that the...

E&E News – Calif. takes aim at gas price gougers. Here’s why it’s hard.

By Anne Mulkern, E&E NEWS https://www.eenews.net/articles/calif-takes-aim-at-gas-price-gougers-heres-why-its-hard/#:~:text=When%20California%20Gov.%20Gavin%20Newsom,work%20wasn%27t%20done%20yet. When California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law last spring a measure aimed at penalizing oil companies for price gouging, he touted it as proof...

Daily Kos – Consumer Watchdog Calls Out Oil Refiners’ Greed & Disinformation

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/12/13/2211502/-Consumer-Watchdog-Calls-Out-Oil-Refiners-Greed-Disinformation?utm_campaign=recent Group Makes Case For Price Gouging Penalty Set At 70 Cents Per Gallon Sacramento, CA  --  Consumer Watchdog made a record of oil refiners’ profiteering in...

E&E News – Oil-friendly ad blitz targets Calif. climate policies

By Anne C Mulkern, E&E News https://www.eenews.net/articles/oil-friendly-ad-blitz-targets-calif-climate-policies/ Oil industry allies in California are filling television and computer screens statewide with a multimillion-dollar ad campaign that blames state climate policies for pushing...

The Mercury News – Elias: California’s Lara gave away the farm to insurance companies

By Thomas Elias, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/12/01/elias-californias-lara-gave-away-the-farm-to-insurance-companies/ Until a consumer advocacy group used the Public Records Act to unearth previously secret files, just what the insurance industry won when it blackmailed millions...

San Diego Union Tribune – Will San Diegans see another spike in natural gas bills this winter?

By Rob Nikolweski, THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2023-10-26/will-san-diegans-see-another-spike-in-natural-gas-bills-this-winter As the weather turns chilly in the coming weeks and months, San Diego Gas & Electric officials are guardedly optimistic that utility...

Politico – Unanswered questions on the wildfire insurance deal

By Blanca Begert, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2023/09/21/unanswered-questions-on-the-wildfire-insurance-deal-00117519 WE HAVE A DEAL — Things moved pretty quickly today. Around 2:00 p.m., Gov. Gavin Newsom put out an executive order urging Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to take swift regulatory action...

KQED Bay Curious – Cashing In on the Future of California’s Bottle Deposit System

By Steven Rascón, KQED Bay Curious https://www.kqed.org/news/11961915/cashing-in-on-californias-broken-bottle-deposit-system When Paul Beach was a kid growing up in Maine, he remembers going to a recycling center that was part of a grocery store....

The Daily Kos – 55 groups urge Gov. Newsom to veto Big Oil-backed bill weakening refinery price gouging legislation

By Dan Bacher, THE DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/9/21/2194643/-55-groups-urge-Gov-Newsom-to-veto-Big-Oil-backed-bill-weakening-refinery-price-gouging-legislation Los Angeles, CA — The struggle between Big Oil, represented by the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), and climate justice, environmental and public interest  groups,...

CalMatters – Newsom burnishes his national image by waging new attack on oil industry

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS https://calmatters.org/commentary/2023/09/newsom-national-image-oil-industry/ When Ken Cory, an assemblyman from Orange County, was running for state controller 49 years ago, he portrayed himself as “the man oil companies fear the...

LA ist – Here Are The Major Climate Bills That Made It Through California’s Legislature This Year

By Erin Stone, LA IST https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/here-are-the-major-climate-bills-that-made-it-through-californias-legislature-this-year The California Legislature wrapped up its session last week and dozens of climate bills now await Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature — or veto. They range...

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom – “This is a Big Big Deal”: Climate Leaders Praise California’s Lawsuit to Hold Big Oil Accountable

By The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/09/18/this-is-a-big-big-deal-climate-leaders-praise-californias-lawsuit-to-hold-big-oil-accountable/ After Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday that California is suing Big Oil for more than 50 years of deception, cover-up,...

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