[Source: Los Angeles Times] When Gov. Gavin Newsom voiced his support last year for a ban on hydraulic fracturing by oil and gas companies, an effort long fought by the industry and trade unions alike, he gave Democrats a green light to send him legislation to achieve that goal as they saw fit. But the Read More…
Newsroom
Biden EPA ponders ‘Hail Mary’ move on greenhouse gas air limits
[Source: Bloomberg Law] The Biden administration likely will face a tough climb in the courts and on the ground if it tries to push for national ambient air limits on greenhouse gases, experts and lawyers say. Acting Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Jane Nishida wrote last week that the agency “did not fully and fairly assess the issues Read More…
Will the race for electric vehicles endanger the Earth’s most sensitive ecosystem?
[Source: EcoWatch by The Revelator] The internal combustion engine had a good run. It helped get us to where we need to go for more than a century, but its days as the centerpiece of the automotive industry are waning. As countries work to cut greenhouse gas emissions, electrification is stealing the limelight. While there’s Read More…
America’s infrastructure is failing: What needs fixing first?
[Source: The Hill] Tens of thousands of homes were without power last week as a weather system packing powerful winds and arctic temperatures roared across Massachusetts, downing power lines. It was nowhere near the catastrophic situation that Texans endured in which people lost heat, electricity and clean water for weeks last month. And don’t forget Read More…
Chevron to build California carbon capture plant with Microsoft, Schlumberger
[Source: Reuters] Chevron Corp is partnering with Microsoft Corp, oilfield services firm Schlumberger NV and privately held Clean Energy Systems to build a carbon capture plant in California, as the U.S. oil major expands investments in renewable technology. Fossil fuel companies have faced increased pressure in recent years to reduce emissions, spend more on low-carbon Read More…
Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager declares victory in state Senate race
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager declared victory Wednesday in the race for the 30th Senate District seat, which stretches from Century City to South L.A., after amassing a large early lead in the vote count against six other candidates. Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), who represents the 54th District in the state Assembly, secured 66% Read More…
SCAQMD doesn’t want voters to have a say on tax hike on essential businesses
[Source: Los Angeles Times] The South Coast Air Quality Management District is trying to suppress your right to vote on local taxes by pretending a major tax increase is simply a “fee,” but the law is not on the district’s side. Rules proposed by the district would require warehouses with more than 100,000 square feet Read More…
Senator Patricia Bates reintroduces measure to strengthen Prop. 13 and end abuses
[Source: Orange County Breeze] Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has reintroduced legislation to correct an outdated interpretation of property “change of ownership” that has been part of the long running debate around commercial property and Proposition 13 (the 1978 initiative that limited property tax increases). “Proposition 13 ensures that property taxes Read More…
New Aera CEO: Calls to ban in-state oil production ‘a dangerous idea’ for California
[Source: Bakersfield.com] The new head of Bakersfield-based oil producer Aera Energy LLC on Thursday condemned growing calls to end California petroleum production, charging in an exclusive interview that the industry’s opponents are ignoring science and confusing people into supporting a “dangerous idea” that would cost jobs, tax revenue and energy independence without making needed progress Read More…