Insurance

California ‘Fails to Enforce Toxic Waste Laws’

February 25, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>California lawmakers are calling for an investigation following two reports that say the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control refuses to revoke the permits of companies that repeatedly violate environmental laws, and lets hazardous waste polluters operate on expired permits for years at a time.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">The reports found that the DTSC has consistently failed to protect communities and the environment from harms posed by toxic waste in the state’s soil, water and air.</span></p>

iSun Investigation: Report Faults State For Stink In Mecca

February 24, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Regulators failed to prevent Mecca's misery, agency says</strong></p> <p>Early and more vigilant monitoring by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control could have helped stem noxious odors from Western Environmental Inc.’s recycling plant in Mecca, according to a new report slamming the agency for a pattern of lax enforcement efforts, bias toward industry and wrist-slap fines at similar sites across California.</p>

Evergreen Oil a Repeat Violator of Environmental Laws, Officials Say

February 22, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Evergreen Oil has been named by sources inside the Department of Toxic Substances Control as an example of a business that continues to operate despite continuous violations, according to media reports.</p>

Probe Of California Agency That Regulates Hazardous Waste Is Urged

February 22, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Two state senators call for an investigation after a Consumer Watchdog report accuses the Department of Toxic Substances Control of failing to protect residents and the environment.</b></p> <p>Two state senators have called for an investigation into the state agency responsible for protecting people and the environment from hazardous chemicals after a consumer group released a report Thursday criticizing the agency for failing to do its job.</p>

Group Demands Probe Of Soil at Autumnwood

February 21, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A California consumer advocacy group is demanding a state investigation of a Wildomar housing tract where residents have abandoned houses that they blame for making them sick.<br /> <br /> "This case clearly calls for an investigation of the soil in Wildomar, including tests for heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and other toxins," said a report by the Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog.<br /> <br />

Report Slams California’s Toxics Watchdog

February 21, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201302210850/a">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>California's standards for hazardous waste management are the most stringent in the nation. But a new report expected out this morning claims the state agency charged with going after toxic polluters is biased toward industry.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Claims State Failed Wildomar Residents

February 21, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>The 68-page Consumer Watchdog report titled “Golden Wasteland” cites case studies alleging the DTSC consistently failed to protect communities – including the Autumnwood development in Wildomar – from health harms posed by toxic waste</strong></p> <p>The California Department of Toxic Substances Control fell down on the job when it refused to test a Wildomar neighborhood for pollutants that some local residents say are killing them, <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/golden-wasteland-report">a report out today from Consumer Watchdog alleges.</a></p>

Anthem Blue Cross Backs Off On Controversial Policy

February 20, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/feb/20/anthem-blue-cross-backs-controversial-policy/">Click here to listen to the audio of this broadcast segment</a>.</p>

Can Consumers Trust The EPA Mileage Stickers On Cars?

February 16, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>When consumers buy a car, they take the EPA’s mileage sticker — such as 33 miles per gallon highway, 27 city — as a fair comparison with other vehicles.</p> <p>But does the sticker always deserve that trust?</p> <p>The United States is thought to have the toughest fuel economy standards and enforcement in the world. But that reputation suffered a black eye in November when the Environmental Protection Agency announced that Hyundai and Kia had overstated the fuel mileage for 900,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. by as much as 6 miles a gallon.</p>

Should Socioeconomic Factors Affect The Price Of Car Insurance?

February 10, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>What you pay for car insurance depends on more than what you drive and how you drive it.</p> <p>It depends on where you live, your credit score, and sometimes your occupation and education level<a href="http://www.carinsurance.com/rate-comparison.aspx?zc=63101" title="http://www.carinsurance.com/rate-comparison.aspx?zc=63101">.</a></p>

State Farm To Cut Homeowners’ Insurance Rates In California

February 8, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Rates will fall an average of 12.6% statewide beginning April 15</b></p> <p>State Farm, California's biggest homeowners' insurer, is dropping rates an average of 12.6% for more than 1 million policyholders in the state beginning April 15. Customers are expected to see average annual premiums cut by $100 this year.</p> <p>Rates are expected to fall 12.3% in Los Angeles County, 14.1% in Orange County and 12.4% in San Diego County.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Reminding Voters of Ballot Initiative As Health Insurance Rate Hikes Take Effect

January 31, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>As California consumers prepare for health insurance rate hikes to take effect on Friday, a consumer watchdog group wants to remind them of a ballot initiative that would give the state the authority to publicly review health insurance rate increases and reject those that are excessive.</p> <p class="cpf-printOut-body-content" style="">Consumer Watchdog's reminder comes as 730,000 Californians who carry Anthem Blue Cross insurance will see their rates increase by up to 26 percent. The nonprofit consumer education and advocacy organization has singled out Anthem Blue Cross.</p>