On Earth Day, over 50 elected officials announced support for the California Polluters Pay Superfund Act that makes Big Oil pay for climate crisis damages they cause
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. 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.
These corporations have not listened to health experts, communities or victims who have been suffering from cancers, asthma and extreme weather devastation. Yet California communities are under siege by escalating fires, floods, heatwaves, droughts, and other disasters creating an affordability crisis. From 1980–2024, 46 extreme weather and climate disaster events impacted California, with losses exceeding $1 billion each.
Across the state, local governments and taxpayers are bearing the immense, mounting costs of rebuilding from climate damages, increased insurance premiums, property taxes, and utility bills. State and local budgets are stretched to the brink as climate risks rise, jeopardizing public services, and forcing communities to carry the burden to address climate-related emergencies. That could all change in California if The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act becomes law.
The legislation was introduced by Senator Caroline Menjivar (SB 684) and Assemblymember Dawn Addis (AB 1243) on Feb. 21, 2025.
“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.”
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 percent of the funds to benefit disadvantaged communities.
“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.”
EOPA