Sempra’s other major subsidiary, San Diego Gas & Electric, was romancing Palomar College, bestowing its so-called Excellence in Energy Leadership Award on the school for its “Maintenance & Operations building, a ‘net-zero’ project that opened in April 2019,” says a February 4, 2021 post on the school’s website.

Palomar’s Petco pleasures

The people who run Palomar College have long been allies of Southern California utility giant Sempra Energy, notably around the time the San Diego-based firm became the subject of an August 17, 2023 write-up by the Sacramento Bee about illegal business practices at Sempra’s SoCalGas. “A concealed contract showed that the nation’s largest gas utility had paid a leading Los Angeles business association to recruit speakers against electrification, and drive them to the meeting using ratepayer money,” per the story.

“Speaker Sassan Rahimzadeh, owner of a San Diego dry cleaning company, was recruited to attend. He told The Sacramento Bee he was troubled to learn that the arrangement was charged to customers of SoCalGas.” Adds the piece, “Billing customers for anything other than providing safe and reliable gas service — such as political activities — is a violation of state and federal law. Yet when it comes to SoCalGas using ratepayer dollars to pay for political lobbying, this case is merely one of many since 2019.”

Ricardo Lara savored supper with Sempra.

According to the account, “After reviewing public documents, The Bee has determined that SoCalGas booked at least $36 million to ratepayers for political lobbying to undermine California policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis since 2019. That figure is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg,’ according to a 404-page legal filing Monday by the PUC’s Public Advocate’s Office.

The independent state watchdog called on the commission to slash the utility’s request for rate hikes by $80 million, citing ‘the utility’s ongoing and historic misuse of ratepayer funds for political activities.’ SoCalGas was fined $10 million for the same behavior last year. In addition, the independent state watchdog is recommending another $233 million in fines because of SoCalGas’ refusal to open its books to investigators.”

Meanwhile, Sempra’s other major subsidiary, San Diego Gas & Electric, was romancing Palomar College, bestowing its so-called Excellence in Energy Leadership Award on the school for its “Maintenance & Operations building, a ‘net-zero’ project that opened in April 2019,” says a February 4, 2021 post on the school’s website. “Palomar College is committed to being a leader in sustainability within our region, and we are thrilled to receive this award for our team’s dedicated work on the M&O building,” effused Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Jack Kahn in the website piece. “We are also grateful to SDG&E, which has been a great partner in Palomar’s pursuit of sustainability.” Said Tashonda Taylor, SDG&E’s vice president of customer operations, of Palomar, “Ultimately, their efforts help our region move closer to meeting California’s ambitious climate goals and in turn, create a sustainable future.”

Though Kahn has since been replaced by Star Rivera-Lacey in the role of Palomar’s superintendent/president, the cozy relationship with Sempra appears to have continued, based on the energy giant’s latest lobbying disclosure filing, made July 31. The document reveals that both Rivera-Lacey and Palomar’s director of development/executive director of the Foundation Stacy Rungaitis got free tickets from Sempra to a Padres game at Petco Park, as well as food and beverages, each worth $268, on June 12. Sempra’s largesse didn’t stop there, per the latest filing.

On April 22, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara was wined and dined to the tune of $125.28 by the utility at L.A.’s Bavel restaurant. “In the heart of Los Angeles, this upscale Middle Eastern gem in the Arts District stands out as one of the best Mediterranean spots in the city,” says SecretLosAngeles.com in a June 14 review. “Known for its unwavering consistency, the restaurant exudes an ambiance of sophistication and festivity, complemented by impeccable service and an array of outstanding dishes.”

Glorious bull

While the Union-Tribune’s display advertising count continues to plummet, Professional Bull Riders — a venture involving wealthy Florida venture capitalist Heath Freeman, who runs controversial Alden Global Capital, the U-T’s latest owner — popped up in the paper’s sports section last week. PBR’s full-color ad promoted the company’s PBR Teams, a three-day event at Anaheim’s Honda Arena, beginning September 13, and sponsored by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. “Experience the adrenaline rush as riders unite for the ultimate glory!” says PBR’s website.

“This is your chance to witness talented bull riders going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls to see which team can come out on top! Who will you cheer on?” Freeman is proprietor of the Florida Freedom, a PBR franchise in Sunrise, Florida.

SDG&E’s Tashonda Taylor, proud to partner with Palomar.

The bull riding league is the frequent target of critics who claim that bulls are mistreated. “Troubling new footage obtained by Animal Justice at a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) rodeo event in London, Ontario, reveals the grim reality of what bulls endure when forced to perform,” says a June 13 write-up on a Canadian website called Animal Justice. “PBR is the largest bull-riding league in the world, exploiting terrified animals for profit and entertainment internationally. The footage shot at the June 2024 show in London shows bulls abused for rodeo entertainment in front of large, boisterous crowds.”

Back on February 22, 2024, Chris DeRose, identified as president and founder of Last Chance for Animals, “an international animal rights organization, blasted the PBR in an op-ed piece run by the Los Angeles Daily News, also owned by Alden. “Later this month, Los Angeles will host the Professional Bull Riders rodeo at the newly-named Crypto.com Arena,” said the piece. “Here, animal abuse will be on full display, even as Councilmember Bob Blumenfield is fighting to ban the use of inhumane implements — including electric prods and shocking devices, spurs and rowels, and flank or bucking straps — ubiquitous at rodeo events.” Freeman acquired the PBR’s Oklahoma Freedom months later in December 2022, subsequently relocating the team to its current Florida home.

Meanwhile, reporters at Alden-owned Chicago Tribune are fighting a plan by the paper’s management to use artificial intelligence. “Journalists and photographers are worried that the use of AI could cost their newsroom more jobs, not to mention the impact on quality journalism,” reports Chicago TV station WGN in an August 2 dispatch. “The Tribune, according to reporters, already lost half of their newsroom staff in 2019.” Adds the story, “Alden Global Capital, the second largest newspaper publisher in the country, is believed to be seeking unrestricted power to outsource work to others outside the newsroom. Tribune reporters told WGN that includes the ability to use AI.”

Tribune investigative reporter and Vice President of the Tribune Guild Gregory Pratt “worries about bruising contract negotiations for nearly 80 Tribune reporters, photographers, and editors with the looming threat of AI,” according to the account. “And as a union, we stand between Alden and destruction. We are there to stop them from decimating the paper,” he was quoted as saying.

— Matt Potter

(@sdmattpotter)

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