Lawsuits Chase CARB Regulations
The battle over California’s greenhouse gas regulations has shifted to the federal courts in an effort to slow down and shed more light on the issues surrounding the first in the nation mandates for cleaner, low-carbon fuels. Those regulations need to be vetted to understand what they mean to California consumers and the economy.
The way CARB regulations and other attacks on oil production are shaping up both consumers and the economy are bound to suffer.
Yesterday’s filing in the U.S. District Court in Fresno was the third lawsuit to challenge Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulations adopted by the California Air Resources Board.
The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, American Trucking Associations, The Center for North American Energy Security and the Consumer Energy Alliance claim in the lawsuit that the regulations interfere with interstate commerce and do little to reduce the country’s greenhouse gases.
Speier’s AG Campaign is a Quick One
That was a short campaign.
Less than a week after leaking a private poll that showed her trouncing a crowded field of Democrats in the primary for attorney general, Jackie Speier has decided to hang on to her congressional seat.
That’s bad news for the legion of Bay Area Democrats yearning for that rare chance to run for an open, non-term-limited congressional seat in a district Abe Lincoln couldn’t win for the Republicans.
“She’s going to remain in Congress where she can focus on issues that she cares about,” said Nathan Ballard, a former spokesman for S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom who’s now working for Speier.
The decision came as a surprise to many political junkies, since officeholders who announce that they’re “considering” a run for another office typically already have the campaign signs painted.
Why Are We Wasting Our Time with Lite Gov Confirmation Hearings?
California’s economy is in the toilet. The budget stands in perpetual crisis. The entire governing system doesn’t work.
Amidst the Bladerunner-style wreckage of our state government, the legislature is making time for hearings on filling the job of the lieutenant governor for the next 10 months.
Why bother?
This is the question that was raised, but never really answered, Tuesday afternoon as State Senator Abel Maldonado made the case for his own confirmation during a press conference call.
Schwarzenegger’s Education Cabinet Secretary to Step Down
Veteran educator Glen W. Thomas is resigning as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s education cabinet secretary in order to care for his ailing mother.
Schwarzenegger appointed Thomas, 63, to the post – the primary education advisor to the governor — in January 2009. The date of Thomas’ departure has yet to be set.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be Secretary of Education,” Thomas said. “With the governor’s leadership, we accomplished a lot more than some people thought possible. Things like Race to the Top and digital textbooks.”
A triumvirate of entities shape public school policy in the state: the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the governor’s education cabinet secretary.
Why not California — MiaSole and Facebook
California took more employment and innovation bruises this month with two announcements from companies producing the state’s favorite products – web technology and solar power.
Palo Alto based Facebook will build new facility in Oregon
Employing 200 people during construction and 35 full time employees upon completion
"The social media powerhouse confirmed Thursday that it has picked the economically depressed Central Oregon town for Facebook’s first company-owned data center, drawn to the region by reliable and affordable power, a favorable climate and tax breaks."
Silicon Valley based MiaSole solar company will build manufacturing facility in Georgia
Employing potentially 1,000 workers