Latest news with #SB684
Malaysian Reserve
14-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
POLLUTERS PAY CLIMATE SUPERFUND BILL COULD DELIVER $150 BILLION TO CALIFORNIA WITHOUT RAISING TAXES; HELP ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS
AB 1243 / SB 684 Offers Major Boost to State Budget, Shifts Climate Costs from Taxpayers to Big Oil SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In response to California's newly announced budget shortfall, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California (CSHC) today urged state leaders to consider AB 1243 and SB 684, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, as a solution to the state's budget woes. This landmark legislation would require the world's largest fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share for the climate damage they have caused in California, helping close the state's budget gap and affordability crisis. 'For decades, California's most powerful polluters—especially Big Oil—have treated communities of color as sacrifice zones,' said Martha Dina Argüello, Steering Committee Member of the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California and Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles. 'The health consequences have been severe: higher rates of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and birth complications in neighborhoods forced to live with toxic emissions and drilling. At the same time, we're hit first and worst by climate disasters—wildfires, extreme heat, floods—that are intensified by the same fossil fuel pollution. Our communities are paying with their health and their lives while polluters profit. It's time to make Big Oil pay for the harm they've caused. That's why we strongly support the California Climate Superfund Bill.' The bill's goal is simple: shift billions in current and future climate costs off the backs of California taxpayers and onto the corporate polluters most responsible for the climate crisis. Key Impacts on California's Budget: $150 Billion or more in Revenue:A similar law passed in New York in 2024 is projected to generate $75 billion. With this law in place, California could generate $150 billion or more over the next two decades. Soaring Climate Costs:The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires alone are projected to cost the state between $250–275 billion in property damage, healthcare, emergency response, and economic losses. Without change, California taxpayers will continue to shoulder these rising costs — while fossil fuel companies profit. Reimbursing Taxpayers:The bill allows California to recover billions in expenditures tied to climate impacts, from wildfire suppression to flood recovery. Importantly, AB 1243 / SB 684 requires the fossil fuel giants — not the state — to cover both the setup and administrative costs. There are no new taxes on the public. The bill creates the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund, which will fund: Disaster recovery and emergency response Clean energy projects, public transit, and building decarbonization Community health and resilience infrastructure Support for displaced workers and essential responders At least 40% of the funds will directly benefit disadvantaged communities, which are hit first and hardest by climate impacts. Organized as the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, the group led by community leaders and environmental justice organizations has grown to a large and formidable statewide coalition organized as and includes doctors, nurses, faith leaders, artists, and labor organizations united to protect California from Big Oil's toxic pollution. For more information about the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California and our efforts to hold polluters accountable, visit our website at Paid for by Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, Sponsored by Nonprofit Environmental and Health Organizations.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
POLLUTERS PAY CLIMATE SUPERFUND BILL COULD DELIVER $150 BILLION TO CALIFORNIA WITHOUT RAISING TAXES; HELP ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS
AB 1243 / SB 684 Offers Major Boost to State Budget, Shifts Climate Costs from Taxpayers to Big Oil SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to California's newly announced budget shortfall, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California (CSHC) today urged state leaders to consider AB 1243 and SB 684, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, as a solution to the state's budget woes. This landmark legislation would require the world's largest fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share for the climate damage they have caused in California, helping close the state's budget gap and affordability crisis. "For decades, California's most powerful polluters—especially Big Oil—have treated communities of color as sacrifice zones," said Martha Dina Argüello, Steering Committee Member of the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California and Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles. "The health consequences have been severe: higher rates of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and birth complications in neighborhoods forced to live with toxic emissions and drilling. At the same time, we're hit first and worst by climate disasters—wildfires, extreme heat, floods—that are intensified by the same fossil fuel pollution. Our communities are paying with their health and their lives while polluters profit. It's time to make Big Oil pay for the harm they've caused. That's why we strongly support the California Climate Superfund Bill." The bill's goal is simple: shift billions in current and future climate costs off the backs of California taxpayers and onto the corporate polluters most responsible for the climate crisis. Key Impacts on California's Budget: $150 Billion or more in Revenue:A similar law passed in New York in 2024 is projected to generate $75 billion. With this law in place, California could generate $150 billion or more over the next two decades. Soaring Climate Costs:The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires alone are projected to cost the state between $250–275 billion in property damage, healthcare, emergency response, and economic losses. Without change, California taxpayers will continue to shoulder these rising costs — while fossil fuel companies profit. Reimbursing Taxpayers:The bill allows California to recover billions in expenditures tied to climate impacts, from wildfire suppression to flood recovery. Importantly, AB 1243 / SB 684 requires the fossil fuel giants — not the state — to cover both the setup and administrative costs. There are no new taxes on the public. The bill creates the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund, which will fund: Disaster recovery and emergency response Clean energy projects, public transit, and building decarbonization Community health and resilience infrastructure Support for displaced workers and essential responders At least 40% of the funds will directly benefit disadvantaged communities, which are hit first and hardest by climate impacts. Organized as the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, the group led by community leaders and environmental justice organizations has grown to a large and formidable statewide coalition organized as and includes doctors, nurses, faith leaders, artists, and labor organizations united to protect California from Big Oil's toxic pollution. For more information about the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California and our efforts to hold polluters accountable, visit our website at Paid for by Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, Sponsored by Nonprofit Environmental and Health Organizations. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Climate activists miss East Bay state senator with Easter Sunday protest
The Brief Protesters gathered outside State Senator Jesse Arreguín's office on Easter Sunday to urge him to vote yes on the Climate Superfund Bill. Arreguín's office was vacant for the weekend and the protesters' messages were washed away by custodial staff. The Climate Superfund Bill, which would hold polluters accountable for greenhouse gas emissions, is expected to be heard by legislators in the near future. OAKLAND, Calif. - Protesters marched to State Senator Jesse Arreguín's office on Sunday, demanding he vote yes on an environmentally-focused piece of legislation. Unfortunately, the senator and his staff did not receive the message. The protest was organized by the Bay Area chapter of the Sunrise Movement, a political action organization, who wanted Arreguín to vote yes on the Climate Superfund Bill (SB684), which would force fossil fuel polluters to pay for the damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Attendees of the event carried signs, left chalk drawings, and hid plastic Easter eggs containing statements about holding polluters responsible for their actions around the premises. Arreguín's Oakland office is only staffed Monday through Friday. A staffer said they were unaware of the protest until KTVU called for comment, and added that the office's janitorial staff had reported picking up "litter" and washing away chalk drawings prior to Monday morning. The backstory The protesters were motivated by Arreguín abstaining from another climate-focused bill, the Affordable Insurance and Climate Recovery Act, earlier this month. That item, SB 222, only received five of the seven necessary votes at an April 8 hearing. Arreguín, who made climate action a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign for state senate, was one of five representatives who abstained from the vote. Even if Arreguín had been present for the Easter Sunday protest, the action may have been for naught — the April 22 hearing for the Climate Superfund Bill was canceled at the request of its author, Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando) on April 10. A spokesperson for Menjivar's office said the bill's hearing will be rescheduled, but a date has not yet been set. "I am committed to supporting clean, healthy communities and proud to continue the East Bay's strong tradition of protecting our environment, parks, and public health. I appreciate the advocates' passion and look forward to meaningful conversations once this bill is formally back before us," Arreguín said in a statement to KTVU. "As an advocate for environmental causes, I was proud to vote for multiple bills this week that advance our climate action goals. I respect the right to advocate and always encourage folks to reach out to my office directly — we welcome those conversations." Big picture view California is one of several states that have proposed or passed Climate Superfund legislation. New York and Vermont both passed their own versions in 2024, and four other states — Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oregon — have introduced similar bills. The bill, which was introduced in the state assembly by Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo), would require fossil fuel polluters to pay for their share of the damage caused by greenhouse gases released into the covered period, which the bill defines as between the 1990 and 2024 calendar years. That damage is defined as stemming from the extraction, production, refinement, sale or combustion of fossil fuels or petroleum products, to help relieve the state's current and future taxpayers of the burden. If passed, the bill would require the California Environmental Protection Agency to determine and publish, within 90 days, a list of responsible parties, which the bill defines as an entity with a major ownership interest in a business engaged in extracting or refining fossil fuels that operated in the state during the covered period. That entity would also have to be determined to be responsible for more than 1 billion metric tons of covered fossil fuel emissions. "The Central Coast has faced the devastating impacts of climate change, from floods and wildfires to coastal erosion. This year's fires in Los Angeles serve as a stark reminder that collective inaction has catastrophic consequences for all Californians," Addis said in a press release. "We can't deny that climate change is real, and we must take action now to prepare and rebuild after these devastating events."
Associated Press
21-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES CO-SPONSOR NEWLY INTRODUCED 'CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2025" TO MAKE POLLUTERS PAY FOR CLIMATE-FUELED DISASTERS
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Californians struggle to rebuild communities torn apart by devastating wildfires, The Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California (CSHC) today announced that it is co-sponsoring the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (SB 684 and AB 1243) along with the Center for Biological Diversity and California Environmental Voters. Introduced by Senator Menjivar and Assemblymember Addis, this bill addresses the financial injustices imposed on taxpayers and working families from climate-related disasters by requiring fossil fuel polluters to pay for the destruction they cause. 'For decades, Big Oil has reaped massive profits while driving the climate crisis and misleading the public. It's time for polluters to pay for the destruction they've caused,' said Darryl Molina Sarmiento, Executive Director for Communities for a Better Environment and CSHC Steering Committee Member. 'This legislation provides a critical pathway to hold these corporations accountable for the damage caused by their products.' Fueled by climate change and driven by extreme drought and record-breaking heat waves, California's wildfires are exacerbated by decades of environmental harm caused by large corporate polluters who knew exactly what their pollution would cause. Despite heroic efforts by firefighters and first responders, Southern California wildfires burned more than 10,000 structures, including homes and businesses, and have driven 180,000 residents out of their homes. This devastation alone is estimated to cost Californians at least $250 billion. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act identifies and assesses a fee on a small number of the world's largest fossil fuel polluters, proportional to their fossil fuel emissions since 1990. This legislation addresses a growing crisis in California, where increasingly frequent and devastating wildfires, extreme weather, and other climate-related disasters have placed an enormous financial burden on families, businesses, and the state. A recent study revealed that ExxonMobil and other oil giants were aware of the climate risks associated with fossil fuels as far back as the 1950s. Instead of acting responsibly, they funneled millions into disinformation campaigns, stalling action and ensuring continued reliance on their products. This deliberate deception has resulted in irreparable harm to California's families, infrastructure, and natural environment. 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. 'As a Steering Committee member for the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, I am proud to stand alongside a diverse coalition of community leaders and environmental justice organizations in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act,' said Martha Dina Argüello, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles and CSHC Steering Committee Member. 'This bill represents a unified effort to ensure that Big Oil polluters, who have reaped billions in profits while knowingly sacrificing the health and well-being of frontline environmental justice communities and fueling the climate crisis, are held accountable for the damage they have done. Together, Physicians for Social Responsibility LA, Communities for a Better Environment, California Environmental Justice Alliance, Black Women for Wellness LA, Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, and Asian Pacific Environmental Network Action demand justice for California communities by making polluters pay.' The state of New York also recently passed a Climate Superfund Bill that shows growing momentum nationwide to hold Big Oil accountable for decades of pollution and its devastating effects on a state and local level. These actions by states are critical as President-elect Donald Trump vows to unravel corporate accountability for the oil industry's polluting ways. California has long been a leader in climate policy, and the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act builds on this legacy. From wildfire recovery to rebuilding efforts and mitigation, this bill provides a lifeline to families and communities bearing the brunt of climate change. California's largest greenhouse gas emitters should be the ones paying for firefighting, disaster recovery, and rebuilding efforts in communities most affected by climate-driven disasters and prevention efforts to limit future tragedies. 'California needs to seize this moment - it is time for our leaders to take bold action to protect our communities and hold those responsible for the climate crisis to account,' said Mabel Tsang, Political Director for California Environmental Justice Alliance and CSHC Steering Committee Member. 'Making these polluters pay for their climate damage is the moral and economic responsibility of this generation.'
