Skip to main content

User menu

  • Home
  • Post a Job
  • Register

Site Network

  • County News
  • School News
Home
  • News
    • Campaigns and Elections
    • Pension Reform
    • Comings and Goings
  • Local Policy Issues
    • Housing and Land Use
    • Infrastructure
    • Green
    • Health Care
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Transparency
    • Cybersecurity
    • admin
  • Jobs Board
  • Contact

Now Hiring?

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. SoCalGas Coalition Faces Increased Public Scrutiny

SoCalGas Coalition Faces Increased Public Scrutiny

By admin on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
3086

The diversification of energy sources has received heightened attention as policymakers continue to explore ways to improve air quality and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In recent weeks, Californians for Balanced Energy Solutions (C4BES), a coalition primarily formed by SoCalGas, has been at the center of much of the news coverage.

SoCalGas has come under fire for creating the coalition as a front group to lobbying cities to pass resolutions that promote their own policy interests. Community leaders argued that SoCalGas was not completely forthcoming about their role funding the coalition and using it to promote a continued reliance on fossil fuels like natural gas. The situation escalated when the Public Advocates Office, an independent watchdog within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), concurred and accused the company of using ratepayer dollars to create C4BES to lobby.

The Los Angeles Times, in a back-to-back editorial and article, wrote “SoCal Gas’ sleazy ‘Astroturf’ effort to keep fossil fuels flowing in California” and “SoCal Gas accused of setting up an ‘astro-turf’ group to plead its case to regulators.”

The controversy prompted Culver City Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells to write an editorial titled “Healthier homes are within reach in Southern California” in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in which she questioned SoCalGas’ attempts to pass resolutions that she argues “mislead the public.” Mayor Sahli-Wells calls out SoCalGas for engaging in a “sleazy” campaign through the C4BES coalition. She vowed that Culver City will reject their efforts and instead fight for their residents “who deserve clean air, convenient access to renewable energy and healthy homes.”

“Burning gas in our homes can lead to air pollution that would be illegal if measured outside – and an alarming study recently showed that children living in a home with a gas stove have a 42 percent increased risk of asthma…This means a lot to me – because I’m not just an elected official, I’m also a mother. And as a mom, I am aware that the decisions California makes today will impact our children for many years to come,” wrote the Mayor.

Facing mounting backlash, the C4BES coalition recently withdrew their application to participate in the regulatory proceeding at the CPUC where it had originally sought to advocate for policies favoring SoCalGas.

Section
Infrastructure
admin
Published 3 years ago
Last updated 3 years ago
3086
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
Sign Up for Our Awesome Newsletter

 

City Jobs

  • Water Resources Manager
    San Joaquin County
  • Chief Animal Control Officer
    City of Sacramento
  • General Manager
    Incline Village General Improvement District
  • County Clerk and Recorder Legal Compliance Officer
    County of Ventura
  • Assistant General Manager – Finance & Risk Management
    City of Glendale
  • Development Services Director
    City of Colton
  • City Attorney
    City of Brentwood, CA
  • Deputy Director - SJGH Nursing Maternal/Child Services
    San Joaquin County - San Joaquin General Hospital
  • City Clerk
    City of Palo Alto, CA
  • Children's System of Care Attorney
    Placer County

Campaigns & Elections

Santa Ana Considers Allowing Noncitizens to Vote
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Undocumented immigrants could be able to vote in Santa Ana municipal elections under a policy being…
Rancho Cordova to Adopt New Map for District Elections
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Rancho Cordova City Council will take a major step next week toward finalizing a district-based…
Oakland Sees Another Election Mix-Up Involving Candidates for School Board
Thursday, August 24, 2023
A city error that almost disqualified the only two candidates from Oakland Unified’s District 5…
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln Running for Congress
Thursday, July 20, 2023
In 2020, Stockton experienced a huge political upset when the Republican pastor of a local church,…
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer Launches Bid to Unseat Terra Lawson-Remer
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has announced his candidacy for the county’s Third District…

Comings & Goings

Santa Barbara County Sees More City Manager Retirements
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
At least two administrators from the Santa Barbara County area will vacate their positions this…
Laguna Beach Hires Interim City Manager
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Retired Irvine city manager Sean Joyce will take over as the interim city manager of Laguna Beach…
Manteca Hires New Director of Finance
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The City of Manteca has hired a new finance director. Shay Narayan, who currently serves as budget…
City Manager Shohreh Dupuis Parts Ways With Laguna Beach
Monday, August 28, 2023
The City of Laguna Beach has announced a “mutually-agreed upon” separation with Shohreh Dupuis, who…
Benicia Taps Next City Manager
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Benicia’s city council has promoted its interim city manager to the permanent role.  Mario…
Clear keys input element