Big Oil has fought for years to keep its secrets invisible. But this week, state officials may have finally realized that what is good for the oil industry has been devastating to Californians.
The rush of state officials to take on Southern California Gas at Porter Ranch, including the filing of criminal charges by Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, brings the scandal over the largest methane leak in California history right to the doorstep of Gov. Brown.
Last week, the California Medical Board failed a critical test on whether it can prove to the Legislature that it has refocused its priorities on patient protection above physician interests.
In a fiery hallway exchange last night at Torrance City Hall, Congressman Ted Lieu rightfully exchanged angry words with Exxon executive Roger Conant, the Refinery Process Manager, about Exxon's refusal to respond to all subpoenas, “I am protecting the residents of Torrance."
For California, 2015 was the year of the price spike. Could 2016 be the year of courage?
A year ago, Consumer Watchdog warned that the oil industry would use 2015 to raise gas prices for huge profits and to push its political agenda. Predictably, the industry obscenely raised prices, making 2015 a record year for California gas prices compared to the national average. In Los Angeles, consumers are still paying over a dollar more than the rest of the nation.
In 2015, Californians wanted bold, progressive action on gas prices, toxics regulation and ratepayer protection against back room dealings with regulated utilities. But instead, the public too often saw meaningful reform watered down or dumped.
Proposals such as reducing the state's petroleum use by 50% by 2030, protecting groundwater from fracking waste, demanding transparency from oil companies manipulating the price and supply of oil, and shutting down polluting facilities operating for decades without permits failed to be approved.