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California Energy, Oil and Gas Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Can our HOA require us to get an insurance policy naming them as secondary beneficiaries when we add solar to our home?

At first the HOA said no to solar, but after ca passed legislation saying hoa's couldn't prevent us from getting solar, the HOA attorneys came up with a 4 page plan including the home owner must get a secondary insurance policy of 1 million dollars listing the HOA as secondary... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 9, 2023

While HOAs may have some authority to regulate the installation of solar panels on homes within the community, requiring homeowners to obtain an insurance policy naming the HOA as secondary beneficiaries is not a common requirement and may be legally questionable.

The specific laws and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Construction Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Can atcaa deny insulation services due to the age of a home being older than 1972
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2023

ATCAA, or Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency, may have specific requirements for providing insulation services based on the age of a home. It's possible that they may have restrictions or limitations on providing insulation services for homes built before a certain year, such as 1972.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: How can I force my solar company to reimburse the full true-up cost, or perhaps have edison forgive the balance?

California: I have been leasing a Sunrun solar system with a 100% performance guarantee for several years, but I'm still connected to SCE because I don't have a battery. Last year, the solar system had completely failed, and Sunrun didn't finish repairs for over six months.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 25, 2023

If you have a solar system with a performance guarantee, as you mentioned, your solar company, Sunrun, should be responsible for ensuring that the system is operating at peak performance and delivering the promised amount of energy to your home. If the system fails and Sunrun fails to repair it in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Gov & Administrative Law for California on
Q: how does president biden have the authority to shut down parts of our energy, a oil pipeline? what gives him authority
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 17, 2023

As the President of the United States, Joe Biden has the authority to issue executive orders that impact various aspects of American life, including the energy sector. The executive branch of the government, which includes the President and federal agencies, has broad powers to regulate industries... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Does a landlord have to provide heat for a rental unit? Does landlord have to prove energy usage to charge for energy?

I am renting studio (converted garage) and there is no a/c and no heat. I am currently using a space heater for the winter. I have a window a/c unit for the summer.

Tenant occupying main house is charging me for sdg&e bill but my lease states I have a $100 credit for utilities.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2023

Under California law, landlords are generally required to provide a working heating system for rental units, particularly during the winter months. California Civil Code Section 1941.1 states that landlords must maintain a rental unit in a habitable condition, which includes providing functional... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Contracts for California on
Q: Amerigas keeps filling our propane tank without authorization after they found a gas leak in our home and it's not fixed

We have no contract with Amerigas and have not fixed the gas leak in our home but they have filled the tank twice now in less than a month

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 3, 2023

I suggest that you take the following steps:

Contact Amerigas and inform them that you have not authorized them to fill your propane tank, and that there is a gas leak in your home that needs to be fixed before any further propane deliveries are made.

If Amerigas does not comply,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: How can I find out if stock certificates are still good? From 1964American Beryllium & oil corp,Leroy Cororation,

And stocks from Paradise strip investment, Nevada Land & mortgage com

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 20, 2023

To find out if stock certificates from 1964 for American Beryllium & Oil Corp and Leroy Corporation are still valid, you can follow these steps:

Check if the company still exists: The first step is to determine whether the companies are still in business. You can search for information...
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Q: I Want to Open Hydrogen Station, I wanted to Know about its Legal Formalities etc. In USA
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 28, 2021

A California attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for four weeks. It could be difficult for any attorney to meaningfully advise on the formalities you ask about in the brief format of this forum. There are many things to consider, whether from an intellectual property standpoint... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: ran out of gas. i called a tow truck driver to bring gas. instead of putting regular gas he put in dies

since he put diesel it wouldnt start and 8300$ to fix

James Tack Jr
James Tack Jr
answered on Dec 28, 2020

This is not an oil and gas or energy question. Re-post it under consumer law.

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: I have common law trust stocks from 1926. The oil company is still in good standing. Need to find out the value.

Inherited stocks from 1926 the oil company is in good standing.

What do I do with these stocks?

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Sep 10, 2020

This is a good question but not a legal one. Contact a stock broker.

Justia disclaimers below, incorporated herein.

Q: Hello, I have large company interested in a five year option to either purchase or ground lease a property I co-own.

The terms to lease the property are really appealing but the company plans to use the lease to secure funding for a green energy project. If I were to lease the property, as a land owner Is there anyway to protect the property from foreclosure in the event company goes bankrupt and creditors go... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Sep 5, 2020

You need the advice of a Real Estate Transaction attorney in your local area to assist you to draft a lease that has forfeiture provisions in the event the lessee goes bankrupt. The creditors cannot go after the property, as you do not transfer title to the property to the lessee, except for the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Real Estate Law, Energy, Oil and Gas and Federal Crimes for California on
Q: What happens if I don't pay for repairs on my condemned home in California I own home out right

The city came in and condemn the home due to tampering with PG&e and they said they were condemning the home due to insufficient lighting but yet they want $7,000 for the bill on PG&e that I don't have and I'm not going to pay what can happen to my home due to not paying

Jonathan Purcell
Jonathan Purcell
answered on Apr 15, 2020

I suggest you do what is required to keep your home. One option would be a home equity loan to pay for the repairs and upgrade.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Tax Law, Business Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Can I sue California for gas prices being more expensive than other states?
D. Mathew Blackburn
D. Mathew Blackburn
answered on Nov 19, 2019

You can sue anyone for anything as long as you can get them served.

You're case will be summarily dismissed, probably for not stating a claim upon which relief may be granted.

You may be cited for filing a frivolous suit.

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Energy, Oil and Gas and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can a utility company put ALL responsibility on homeowner in case of damage to a shallow buried gas line?

SoCal gas is charging me almost $1,300 for repairing a severed gas line which was burred shallow (~10" instead of 18") in a flower bed and was not otherwise protected. I didn't know I had to call 811 in case of shallow digging, so I didn't. Do cases like... View More

Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Jul 19, 2018

I don't know that an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision will help you any in your case, as it is in a different sate, and judges can go one way or another. If there has been no lawsuit filed, you can probably go to your local small claims court and file your own small claims case against So Cal.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Who do I need to get a hold of? I live in California's poorest county. The town I live in has only 1 service station.

It is the law the owner has to provide air and water to his fuel purchasing customers. The man is filthy rich. Sells out of gas all summer long. But refuses to make an air compressor available. There hasn't been a way to get air for 24 miles in any direction for well over 2 yrs.

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jul 17, 2018

File a complaint: https://apps4.cdfa.ca.gov/AirWaterComplaint/

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1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can a nonprofit utility co. Deny me a new account, after service shutoff due to owners delinquent bill?

The property i rent at is serviced by a community well, the owner yas not paid the bill in over a year. I moved here 3 months ago. One day late december '16, a man claiming to be president of the water company came to my door and said he would be installing a shut off device the next morning... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 13, 2017

See: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/repairs.shtml

You may be able to sue the landlord for violation of the implied warranty of habitability.

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation...
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Q: I am the named Trustee on a trust that is related to Standard Oil and Northern Trust/Northern Telecom where my Dad Worke

I was told after he passed that this was now Mom's money and she can do whatever she wants. Soon after, she closed the IRA accounts (had me sign and designate to me and the had me depoit them into her Trust fund account) I have received zero from this and/or anything else from the trust but I... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 12, 2017

Why would you be denied entry to a public court? Have you filed anything in Probate Court about this? Is there a trust administrator that you've contacted? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Can I hold my landlord liable for gas bill

Hello. I live in california and was wondering about holding the owner of the home I rent liable for a utility bill. Our gas bill went from $19 a month to $270. I finally got the landlord to send a specialist out and it looks like the heater needs a major repair so it stops using excess gas. Am i... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 25, 2017

If the high gas bill is the result of a leak in your heater, then you can make a demand on your landlord for the reasonable difference. If he does not willingly pay, and if you have evidence of your claims, you can sue in small claims court. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Can you help me to see if my royalties from a gas and oil division are being paid correctly?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 18, 2017

The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.

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