Emissions cap prompts oil firm backlash
Santa Barbara County’s decision to impose a strict cap on carbon emissions from a proposed oil project puts the county at a competitive disadvantage in California and likely will cut into the money energy firms pump into the regional economy.
The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Nov. 12 to require Santa Maria Energy to cap its carbon emissions at 10,000 tons per year. Santa Maria Energy had proposed 136 wells for a site near Orcutt.
Santa Barbara County’s oil is thick and viscous. In order to extract it, companies inject steam into wells to soften the oil. Burning natural gas to create the steam is what generates the bulk of carbon emissions.
With funds and new CEO, Neighborhood Clinics turn the corner
The struggling Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics nonprofit is narrowing its funding gap and has a strategic plan and new permanent CEO in place, putting it on track to become financially sustainable at a time when it looks to expand service to Goleta.
“Six months ago, we were in danger of closing our doors,” said Mark Palmer, president of the board.
Study: Skilled workers priced out of San Luis Obispo
The findings highlight a pervasive mismatch between the high price of even starter homes and the number of jobs that pay wages high enough to support those prices. Experts say the gap is a significant roadblock to the state’s economic growth.
Ventura County leaders call for immigration reform
Business and agriculture leaders speaking at a Nov. 8 economic forecast hosted by the California Lutheran University Center for Economic Research and Forecasting put forth a vocal call for immigration reform amid a deepening farm-labor shortage.
No cap on winners: Former P&G exec outlines AB32 strategies
“It became evident that, if you don’t think creatively about AB32, it could really restrict your business’ growth,” Hullar said. “But if you play your strategies right, you can make a lot of money with AB32 – if somebody is buying, that means somebody is selling.”
ValueClick reboots: Online advertising firm to sell assets, rename
The $1.6 billion Westlake Village-based digital advertising company has been under fire from investors — and trial attorneys — for its reliance acquisitions to produce revenue growth. It has also faced criticism of the steep losses it has taken on selling off business lines that didn’t work out.
Port of Hueneme unveils marine test program
Called MAST, short for Marine Advanced Systems and Technology, the program will create an innovation hub of sorts for companies to test paint, products and devices for their ability to operate in marine environments.
