[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…
Category: California News
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…
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…
Prop 65 reform sorely needed in California
[Source: The Business Journal] The first line in a recent alert from the California Chamber of Commerce is tongue-in-cheek, but clearly represents how things are in the Golden State when it comes to business regulation. “WARNING: Everything in California May Cause Cancer.” The CalChamber alert is about a proposed change to Prop. 65 Warning Rules, Read More…
Opinion: ‘Hero pay’ proposals will lead to unintended consequences
[Source: The Orange County Register] We’re not sure why people were shocked by the predictable outcome of Long Beach’s decision to dramatically boost the hourly pay of grocery workers during the pandemic. After the vote, Kroger announced the shuttering of “long-struggling” Ralphs and Food 4 Less locations. That mandate ends up hurting hourly workers and Read More…
Joe Biden wants 100% clean energy. Will California show that it’s possible?
[Source: Los Angeles Times] The undersea power line would run south from San Luis Obispo County, hugging the California coast for 200 miles before making landfall in or near Los Angeles. It would be able to carry electricity from a fleet of offshore wind turbines, providing Southern California with clean power after sundown and helping Read More…
As state attorney general job morphs post-Trump, who will be Newsom’s pick?
[Source: POLITICO] The last time a California governor chose a new attorney general, Donald Trump had just been elected president. As Democrats geared up to make California the “Resistance State,” newly appointed state attorney general Xavier Becerra quickly went to work suing the Trump administration. He kept it up at a mind-boggling clip, filing 110 lawsuits over Read More…
California Supreme Court rejects challenge to Proposition 22
[Source: CalChamber] California voters passed Proposition 22 in November by a 59% majority. The ballot measure classified app-based drivers for companies such as Uber, Lyft, Postmates, and DoorDash as independent contractors and mandated that those companies provide certain benefits including guaranteeing at least 120% minimum wage during engaged time, payment per mile, health care coverage Read More…
Legislature and governor must act to prevent California employers from paying for EDD’s mistakes
[Source: CalChamber] Whenever something goes wrong – whenever something is lost or damaged – the question is always the same: who gets stuck holding the bag? And we all know the answer should be simple: the person who made the mistake should bear the costs of that mistake. But with California’s UI Fund, it appears Read More…