2906, 2020
Budget Update: Legislature Restores CalGEM Enforcement Positions
In last week's final budget, the Legislature restored key cuts for the Department of Conservation's Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) division, which regulates the drilling, operation, and permanent closure of energy resource wells. CalGEM will now receive 25 positions costing $7.2 million.
2805, 2020
Consumer Watchdog: ‘No More Oil Wells!’
On May 20, Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit organization that works on behalf of taxpayers and consumers, transmitted a letter to Governor Newsom requesting he issue an order that no new oil wells be approved without full bonding for their clean-up, as well as a requirement to plug a certain number of idle wells in exchange for a new permit.