The Political Power of Big Oil in California

Using their large purses and incredible political strength in the California legislature, lobbyists for the oil industry have succeeded in killing any legislation they have deemed a serious threat to profits.

1 minute read

July 19, 2006, 12:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

"With time running out on the current two-year session, oil company lobbyists have helped tie up or kill almost a dozen bills considered hostile to the industry, including a plan to tax windfall profits and a proposal to regulate refineries as public utilities.

'I cannot believe how many legislators don't have the courage to stand up to (oil company lobbyists),' said Assemblyman Johan Klehs, D-San Leandro, whose legislation to levy a 2 percent surtax on oil company profits of more than $10 million never made it out of the Democrat-controlled Assembly."

"Oil industry representatives said failed legislation is the result of bad ideas, not their political clout.

'There's a common thread that links (legislation opposed by oil industry) -- they all carry the risk of seriously disrupting a delicate and sensitive transportation fuel market,' said Tupper Hull, spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association."

Thanks to The Roundup

FULL STORY: Big Oil lobbyists stall bills in Legislature that industry opposes

Friday, July 14, 2006 in The San Francisco Chronicle

Energy Government / Politics California

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.