Friday | SFGate
Senate confirms Orrick as federal judge
A divided U.S. Senate confirmed on Wednesday the nomination of William Orrick III , a former top immigration lawyer in President Obama's Justice Department , to the federal court in San Francisco.
BLM to tackle four high-risk abandoned wells this year
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released a plan May 8 identifying 50 abandoned wells in the Alaska Arctic that it believes require clean-up by the agency.
Senate greenlights Moniz nomination
Even in a bitterly divided Capitol, Democrats and Republicans joined together Thursday in a sweeping vote to confirm Ernest Moniz as Energy secretary.
Senators Optimistic About Prospects for Energy Effiency Bill
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 8 approved S.761 by a voice vote.
IRS Sent Same Letter to Democrats That Fed Tea Party Row
The Internal Revenue Service , under pressure after admitting it targeted anti-tax Tea Party groups for scrutiny in recent years, also had its eye on at least three Democratic-leaning organizations seeking nonprofit status.
Secretary's Remarks: Remarks at the Arctic Council Ministerial Session
Thank you very much, Minister Bildt, and thank you for hosting this important event.
Collusion and Corruption at the IRS
They say there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes. Try as we might, it's virtually impossible to escape the clutches of the Grim Reaper or the Tax Man.
Obama administration lays out new arctic drilling plan
The Obama administration recently laid out a new plan for Arctic drilling that focuses on protecting the environment and bolstering international agreements as melting ice allows for more commerce and development.
Legislation Would Ground Recalled Rental Cars
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators last week introduced a bill that would prohibit rental-car companies from renting or selling vehicles with an open manufacturer's recall.
Sarah Palin Leads Senate Poll for Alaska GOP Primary
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has a small lead over two likely Republican Senate candidates in a hypothetical primary matchup, according to a GOP poll .
MLP Parity Could Boost Renewable Energy Projects
Legislation has been re-introduced in Congress that would give investors in renewable energy projects access to a corporate structure currently only available for fossil fuel-based energy projects.
Obama administration outlines new policy for protecting, drilling in the Arctic
The Obama administration on Friday released a national strategy for the Arctic in advance of Secretary of State John Kerry's trip next week to Sweden to attend a conference of eight polar nations.
The Hmong, Vietnam era allies, honor their dead from a long-ago war
Many lifetimes ago, in the Vietnam War, they had fought alongside U.S. forces. Now, they are grandfathers, resettled refugees living in places like California’s Central Valley.
McCaskill Introduces Bill; Take Recalled Rental Cars Off the Road Until Repaired
While existing law already prohibits car dealers from selling new cars that are under safety recalls, no laws keep rental car companies from renting these types of vehicles to consumers.
Murkowski to lead GOP outreach to Native Americans
Alaska's senior U.S. senator has been picked to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee's "Native American Program." Sen.
Coast Lines: May 10, 2013: Arts festival set for Saturday
The UC Santa Cruz Good Neighbor Initiative Program will present a free Community Arts Festival from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Abbott Square -- outside the Museum of Art & History.
Briefs: Consumer Reports gives Tesla EV its highest rating
Consumer Reports rated the $89,650 Model S a 99 out of 100, highest since '07. Tesla Motors Inc.
Helium Update: House Passes Bill, Senate Committee to Move Legislation
"You're absolutely right about the urgency of this," said Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden to Lisa Murkowski .
Senators seek ban on renting recalled vehicles
Rental companies would be barred from leasing or selling vehicles to consumers that are under a manufacturer's recall until the defect is fixed under a bill introduced Thursday by a bipartisan group of senators.
Obama aides meet with lawmakers on military assaults Obama aides meet ...
Top aides to President Obama are meeting with members of Congress in light of a report about increased sexual assaults in the military.