"California's Oil Battle: Dueling Measures and a New Czar Ignite Controversy"
The battle over California's oil industry is intensifying as climate change impacts worsen. California's first oil czar will take office in August, and oil companies will have to provide data on their profit margins to the state, potentially facing penalties for price gouging. Several bills aimed at increasing transparency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been proposed but face mixed results. Regulators plan to plug nearly 400 orphan wells, but environmental groups are concerned about the cost falling on taxpayers. A ballot measure to overturn a ban on drilling near homes has qualified for the 2024 election, while environmental groups have filed a counter-initiative to reinstate the ban. Oil interests are expected to spend record amounts to influence energy and climate policy in the state.