Brown signs bill to cap idle oil, gas wells
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill on Sept. 9 that aims to cap more idle oil and gas wells. Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara, authored AB 2729, which ensures that funding is available to cap idle wells and creates disincentives for operators to maintain large numbers of idle wells. The bill also broadens the definition Read More →
Governor signs bill requiring state to reduce greenhouse emissions
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that will require the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2030. Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, introduced the bill. It amends the 2006 California Global Warming Solutions Act that that requires the state to reduce statewide emission levels to at least Read More →
Assembly resolution calls for national tax on fossil fuels
A California Assembly resolution calling for a national tax on fossil fuels is headed to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown. The bill, AJR 43, calls on Congress to institute a federal tax on carbon-based fossil fuels in order to reduce fossil fuel usage and stave off the effects of climate change. Assembly member Das Read More →
San Luis Obispo’s REC Solar names new CEO
Former Duke Energy executive Matt Walz replaced Al Bucknam as CEO of San Luis Obispo-based REC Solar, the company announced Aug. 24. Walz previously served as the vice president of marketing and later as the vice president of commercial solar for Duke Energy in the Cincinnati area. He replaces Bucknam, who joined REC Solar in Read More →
BOEM solicits offers to build wind farm off coast of Morro Bay
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said Aug. 16 that it is soliciting offers from companies interested in building floating wind farms off the coast of Morro Bay. The agency filed the request to gauge interest in projects like the floating wind farm proposed by Seattle-based Trident Winds off Morro Bay’s coast and see if Read More →