Oil And Gas

From CalMatters’ state Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff: Californians have a legal right to “information concerning the conduct of the people’s business,” but actually getting those public records is easier said than done. In the past few months alone, a former employee of the San Jose mayor’s office sued the city for “perpetually extending its own […]

Since 2011, 80% of the credits issued by a California program aiming to reduce pollution have gone to biogas and biofuel projects that have their own environmental drawbacks. Meanwhile, communities near oil refineries and dairies suffer the brunt of the impact from ongoing emissions.

Recent California elections have imparted a valuable lesson to industries unable get their way with the Legislature: Stop a new law from taking effect by forcing it onto the ballot, and then convincing voters to reject it. Defenders of those laws have learned a lesson, too: The best defense is a good offense. So public […]

Idle and orphaned oil wells pose not just a public health risk but could cost an estimated $21.5 billion to clean up. California lawmakers can take several steps to ensure taxpayers are not forced to cover the tab.

To help close a $31.5 billion deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature are considering cuts to key climate programs. As an alternative, environmental advocates are asking leaders to instead slash subsidies for oil and gas corporations.

In their twice-a-year exercise, legislators killed hundreds of California bills in the process known as the suspense file. They included ones on abortion access, climate and homelessness. The state budget deficit also made an impact.

Environmental advocates uncovered ties from SoCalGas to the California Restaurant Association lawsuit that overturned Berkeley's ban on natural gas hookups in new buildings, asserting that the private utility improperly used ratepayer money to support the legal firm.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom claims victory in his crusade against the oil industry, but regulating the prices Californians pay for fuel will be a very tricky process.

From CalMatters’ new reporter covering homelessness, Marisa Kendall: Despite growing frustration over California’s massive homeless encampments, Republicans didn’t get very far Tuesday in their attempt to crack down on camping in certain public spaces.    Senate Bill 31, introduced by Senate GOP leader Brian Jones of San Diego, would ban people from sitting, lying or sleeping […]

Gov. Newsom signs an oil profits penalty plan that is supposed to keep California gas prices under control. The oil industry says it will closely watch the regulations.