Press Releases

Senator Stern Calls on Sempra to Put Profits Towards Working Families Hit with Record Gas Bills

Applauding Governor Newsom, Sen. Energy Chair Bradford Calls for Ratepayer Protection, Federal Investigation, Stern Proposes Bill on Smarter Gas Planning to Avoid Stranded Assets and Windfall Profits

February 7, 2023

SACRAMENTO – While soaring utility gas bills have left a gaping hole in family budgets across the southland, Sempra Energy is facing increasing scrutiny for putting executive and shareholder profits ahead of the customers served by the gas utilities they own.

Echoing recent calls by Governor Newsom and California Senate Energy Utilities & Communications Chair Steve Bradford to investigate price spikes and protect ratepayers, Stern proposed legislation that could strengthen the hand of state regulators and avert price spikes or windfall profits in the future.

Senator Stern Bill Pushes State Assistance for “Nature-Based” Vision of Sepulveda Basin

January 26, 2023

Sacramento, CA - Today, State Senator Stern announced legislation to bring the State of California to the table in revitalizing the Sepulveda Basin prior to the 2028 Olympics.

Senator Stern Excited to Get to Work After Pro Tem Atkins’ Committee Assignments and Appointments

January 11, 2023

Sacramento, CA - In response to the Senate Pro Temp Atkins release of committee assignments earlier this week, Senator Henry Stern (D- Calabasas) said “I’m grateful to Pro Tem Atkins for appointing me to lead the Legislature on climate as Chair of Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies and as the Senate Member on the California Air Resources Board.

SB 1472 pushes criminal prosecution of extreme speeding, sideshows, street-racing

November 4, 2022

Sacramento, CA- SB 1472- Ryan’s law, set to take effect January 1, 2023, will give more tools to prosecutors who seek justice for deaths caused by egregiously hazardous driving. This legal change, named after Ryan Koeppel, an Encino teenager killed by a repeat extreme speeder, adds speeding 100+ mph, street racing, and participating in a side show to the definition of gross negligence. Thereby increasing the penalties for fatalities caused by these activities and forcing District Attorneys across the state to recognize the seriousness of these crimes.

Senator Stern’s Statement on the Governor’s Appointments to the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education

October 31, 2022

Sacramento, CA – Governor Newsom announced appointments to the Governor’s Council on
Holocaust and Genocide Education (Council). The Council was created when evidence showing
a lack of knowledge about the Holocaust and other recent genocides among California students
came to light. The Council will focus on education about the Holocaust and genocides with a
particular emphasis on the public school system.

“I look forward to working with all of the new Governor's appointees. As Co-Chair of this

Days ahead of the Aliso Canyon gas blowout anniversary, Sen. Stern calls for an investigation into benzene gas leaks and reiterates calls for Aliso Canyon’s closure

October 24, 2022

Sacramento, CA – A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology from researchers at
PSE Healthy Energy found that the gas that is piped into California homes for heating and cooking
contains elevated levels of benzene and other hazardous pollutants. Low-level gas leaks from kitchen
stoves alone can create benzene levels in homes comparable to living with a smoker.

Homes in almost every region of California — Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area,

SB 1472 pushes criminal prosecution of extreme speeding, sideshows, street racing

September 29, 2022

Sacramento, CA. Street racers and extreme speeders will face stricter criminal
prosecution after Governor Newsom signed Senator Stern’s SB 1472 this week. Ryan’s Law
is named after Ryan Koeppel, a Tarzana teenager killed by a repeat extreme speeder taking
a left on August 6, 2020. A number of other residents in the southland and California have
been killed by criminally reckless drivers, including: