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California's Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act Passes First Assembly Committee [1]

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Date: 2025-04-22

The Assembly version of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act passed out of its first California Assembly Committee, the Natural Resource Committee, in a 9-4 vote yesterday, the day before Earth Day.

Senator Caroline Menjivar (D- San Fernando Valley) and Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D- Morro Bay) introduced SB 684, the Senate version, and AB 1243, the Assembly version, on Feb. 21, 2025.

​​The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act is a “vital bill that would require fossil fuel corporations to pay for the climate devastation they have contributed to across California,” according to a statement from Food & Water Watch California.

Over 100 Californians from an array of community, environmental and climate justice groups rallied outside of the hearing and then expressed support for the bill during public comment.

“Longer, drier fire seasons, rising temperatures and extreme flooding are all stark reminders that Californians are already experiencing unprecedented devastation from fossil fuel driven climate change,” said Food & Water Watch California Director Nicole Ghio. “And everyday Californians are left footing the clean up bill after these climate disasters instead of the polluting industries that raked in billions in profits while denying and fueling the crisis.”

“California needs funds to prepare for and clean up after climate disasters,” Ghio stated. “But the Musk-Trump administration’s looting and privatization of public resources and politicization of relief means we cannot rely on support from the federal government when disaster strikes.”

“That’s why common sense legislation like the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act is vital for ensuring our state has the necessary resources to protect Californians from the ravages of climate change. We applaud the Assembly Natural Resource Committee for passing this important bill out of committee,” she concluded.

Over 50 elected officials announce support for bill

Then today, Earth Day, over 50 elected officials announced their support for the California Polluters Pay Superfund Act

“There is a growing movement throughout California to make Big Oil companies pay for the damage they have inflicted upon communities as their products have contributed to the climate crisis,” according to Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA). “For decades fossil fuels have fueled the climate crisis while Big Oil made astronomical profits. Just 57 companies are responsible for 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Several of these elected officials explained why passing this legislation is so critical in a time of increasing disasters resulting from the impact of fossil fuel-driven climate change in California and across the world.

“For too long, fossil fuel corporations have reaped enormous profits while lying about the catastrophic risks of their products. They’ve put profits over people for decades. It’s time for the rights of our people to come first and foremost,” said Meghan Sahli-Wells, Fmr. Mayor of Culver City, Elected Officials to Protect America California Director. “We must take action now to prepare and rebuild after these devastating events. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act is a commonsense way for the state to tap into a small fraction of polluters’ profits, and collect our fair share to alleviate the financial burden.”

“Californians have lost their lives and property to the climate crisis, yet those fueling the flames with their fossil fuel products have raked in record profits. In 2024, U.S. oil and gas companies saw a surge in profits, with ExxonMobil’s revenue reaching $339.88 billion,” said San Ramon City Council Member Marisol Rubio, EOPA California and National Leadership Council Member. “Many communities like mine are experiencing financial uncertainty due to the rising cost of living, including insurance costs driven up by recent wildfires fueled by elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide. Fossil fuel combustion is a top contributor to these greenhouse gas emissions. The state has the power to redirect the financial burden away from its citizens and make Big Oil pay their fair share – as they should.”

“For too long, fossil fuel corporations have reaped enormous profits while knowing about the catastrophic risks of their products. That’s why we need to start making Big Oil pay for the damages they’ve wrought with a California Superfund Law,” said Berkeley Council Member Igor A. Tregub, Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) California Leadership Council Member. “There is an enormous body of evidence of the devastation caused by rising emissions, including trillions of dollars in economic costs. This time is now for justice for our people with the Superfund Act.”

On March 2, the California Senate version of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee in a 5-3 vote.

The next confirmed Senate Committee hearing for SB 684 will be on April 29 in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act will:

• Direct CalEPA to complete a climate cost study to quantify total damages to the state (through 2045), caused by past fossil fuel emissions.

• Direct CalEPA to identify responsible parties and assess compensatory fees on the largest fossil fuel polluters proportional to their fossil fuel emissions 1990 through 2024, to address damages quantified in the cost study.

• Fund California’s future. Fees collected will fund projects and programs to mitigate disaster related rate increases for Californians and remedy or prevent climate-related costs and harms. The bill prioritizes labor and job standards and dedicates at least 40% of the funds to benefit disadvantaged communities.

You can tell your legislators to pass the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act here:

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/californians-make-polluters-pay

Oil lobby spends record money to attack climate legislation

Bill advocates are gearing up for a big fight to pass the legislation, considering the millions of dollars that Big Oil spends every year to attack climate bills and other environmental legislation.

in a post on X on April, the Western States Petroleum Association, the oil industry's trade organization, wrote: “#SB684 strongly opposed by labor, local chambers of commerce and #CAWorkers. Bill threatens jobs, affordability and future investment in California economy. #affordability#gasprices #costdriver #jobkiller”

“SB684 would increase costs on California consumers and businesses,” WSPA also claimed on X.

The oil industry spent a total of $38 million in lobbying expenses in 2024, shattering by 31 percent the annual state lobbying record of $26.2 million set in 2017, according to an analysis by the Last Chance Alliance (LCA).

Spending by two groups alone, Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), the largest and most powerful corporate lobbying group in California, and Chevron, shattered the previous record, coming in at $31.6 million in 2024.

WSPA and Chevron accounted for 83% of the industry’s expenditure. The Western States Petroleum Association spent $17.4 million, while Chevron spent $14.2 million.

CRC/Aera Energy took third place in the Big Oil lobbying spending spree, spending $2.1 million in 2024. Marathon Petroleum placed fourth, spending $1.5 million, while Phillips 66 placed fifth, spending $876,563.

Big Oil crushed its two-year legislative session record as well, spending $65.8 million during the 2023-2024 legislative session. This far exceeds the $44.1 million spent during the 2017-2018 session, the LCA said.

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