The permit lays the groundwork toward a driverless taxi service. Tesla has said it will launch such a service in Austin, Texas in June.

Public utilities can bill directly for hundreds of millions of dollars in shareholder returns despite being in what critics call a lower-risk business.

As a gasoline reserve bill faced a final vote today, labor advocates warned the bill’s safety measures don’t go far enough.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants new gas reserves to dampen seasonal price spikes. California oil refiners say the move would require new storage tanks and force more price increases.