A Free-Market Energy Blog

Gasoline Prices: California Investigates Itself

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- August 26, 2024

“The California Energy Commission needs to wrap up its study and, as necessary, offer a conclusion that is politically incorrect but economically correct. Little doubt, California energy policy needs a dose of reality-and about face.”

Earlier this month, a piece by CBS Sacramento reporters Marlee Ginter, “Findings from California gas price watchdog after first year on job, industry responds,” interviewed Tai Milder, Director of the California Energy Commission’s Petroleum Market Oversight division. The “nation’s first gas price watchdog” found a dollar per gallon of unexplained price premium (“surcharge”) in the state. In his words:

The first thing I think it’s really important for people to understand is this surcharge adjusts for taxes and fees. So once you compare California’s taxes to other state’s taxes and you adjust for that, there’s still an unexplained markup and that is the oil industry markup.

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Guice to California Dept. of Conservation: End Virtue Signaling, Liberate Oil and Gas

By Rod Guice -- August 23, 2024

Ed. Note: William R. Guice speaks energy truth to California. MasterResource is pleased to reproduce his August 6th letter to the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division, Central District. The letter first appeared at LinkedIn.

“California suffers from revenue losses for many critical services, has a massive budget deficit, is increasing its dependence on foreign oil, and has the 3rd highest energy prices in the US.  These results are shameful.”

At LinkedIn, Rod Guice shared a letter he wrote “to protest what I believe is blatant state sponsored virtue-signaling.” He explained:

I’m weary of the ridiculous anti-Oil & Gas bias I see everywhere here and am sick of the unnecessary over-regulation of California’s honorable Oil & Gas Industry. The state clearly intends to destroy the Industry, as well as the jobs and livelihoods of Californians who depend on it.

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Clarkson’s Attempt to Join South Carolina’s Public Service Commission

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- August 22, 2024

Ed. note: Jim Clarkson, an energy consultant and principled libertarian, is a veteran of gas and electric politics in South Carolina and other southeastern states. Clarkson has been a thorn in the side of cronyism between the utilities and their regulators for several decades. His previous posts can be found here, including “The Ratepayer’s Prayer“.

Six years ago, I sought advice about the prospects of my getting on the South Carolina Public Service Commission. It didn’t sound promising; nonetheless, considering myself familiar with state utility regulation, and having different ideas how it should be conducted, I gave it a shot. Here’s my story, beginning with some background.

In South Carolina there are seven U.S. congressional seats, and the General Assembly appoints a commissioner from each district for five-year staggered terms.…

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Giberson/Bradley Exchange on Retail Power Prices

By Robert Bradley Jr. --
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U.S. Offshore Wind: The Struggle Continues

By Kennedy Maize -- August 21, 2024
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TAPS Attack: Biden Administration vs. Alaska

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- August 20, 2024
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Energy & Environmental Review: August 19, 2024

By -- August 19, 2024
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Environmentalism or Individualism? (Part 6: The “Ideal” of Primitivism)

By Robert Bidinotto -- August 16, 2024
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Environmentalism or Individualism? (Part 5: The Value of Nature)

By Robert Bidinotto -- August 15, 2024
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Environmentalism or Individualism? (Part 4: Philosophic Conflict)

By Robert Bidinotto -- August 14, 2024
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