CPUC Gives Initial Approval to PG&E for $7.5 Billion Securitization of 2017 Wildfire Costs

Despite concern from customer advocacy groups, the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted PG&E initial approval
to securitize costs from a series of 2017 wildfires on Thursday, April
22.  If the CPUC approves a similar financing order in May, PG&E will
be able to issue $7.5 billion of recovery bonds, resulting in a charge to
ratepayers of $394 million per ...Read More

California Gov. Newsom to Unilaterally Ban Fracking by 2024

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to ban hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as ‘fracking,’ by 2024 in an April 23 press release.  As part of his personal longer-term goal to end all oil extraction in the state by 2045, the governor directed the California Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division to immediately ...Read More

D.C. Circuit Denies Request to Rehear Dakota Access Pipeline Permitting Case

On Friday, April 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit denied
Dakota Access LLC’s request for a rehearing on a three-judge panel ruling that
the Dakota Access Pipeline (the “DAPL”) is operating without a key federal
permit.  By denying the petition, the appeals court stood by its January
decision, which upheld the lower court’s determination that the ...Read More

Biden Officially Cancels Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oil and Gas Lease Sales

On Wednesday, April 21, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced
it would not hold its second quarter oil and gas lease sales amid ongoing
review of the federal oil and gas leasing program, including potential climate
impacts.  The pause does not affect current operations or permits for
existing leases, which can still be reviewed.

In response to the BLM’s ...Read More