"Stopping us from protecting our people, our jobs and economy or our planet is like trying to stop a mother from protecting her child," said State Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

A federal judge presiding over lawsuits that accuse big oil companies of lying about global warming to protect their profits is turning his courtroom into a classroom in what could be the first hearing to study the science of climate change.

The blast of the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. natural gas pipeline six years ago sent a giant plume of fire into the air, killing eight people and destroying 38 homes in the city of San Bruno.