California is poised to make polluters pay with a bold new Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act that will hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis.
The devastating LA fires, and last year’s explosion at the Martinez Refinery are just two of many environmental disasters affecting our state. But while we wait, Vermont and New York have already passed groundbreaking Climate Superfund bills—paving the way for polluters to pay their fair share.
Those bills hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in climate disasters. Now, California must follow suit and pass a Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act.
Advocating for this Act was a key focus for 350 Contra Costa Action’s Legislative Team in 2025. We knew from the get-go this was not an easy task. As with so many landmark environmental actions, we knew getting a California superfund passed could take years. While our initiative failed to garner sufficient legislative support in 2025, we are doubling down our efforts in 2026 to grow grassroots support for the proposed act, which aims to create a statewide climate superfund to clean up pollution, recover from climate disasters, and protect communities.
We’re doing that by holding town halls to inform the public and our local electeds about the proposed legislation. And we’re asking our city and county governments to adopt resolutions in support of the superfund legislation.
As California grapples with worsening climate impacts, this act becomes more crucial than ever. Here’s why the Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act is a vital step in addressing the growing crisis.
Why the California Make Polluters Pay Bill Matters
The climate crisis is impacting our state—wildfires, droughts, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Fossil fuel companies, responsible for much of the damage, are profiting without paying their fair share. The Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act is designed to combat climate change and hold companies responsible for the destruction they cause. Here’s what the act will do:
- Create a statewide climate superfund to aid our communities in recovery from climate disasters such as wildfires and floods
- Fund climate resilient infrastructure to protect vulnerable areas from future climate impacts
- Support frontline communities by providing resources for those who are most affected by climate change
While these objectives are ambitious, they are not out of reach. Let’s take a closer look at New York’s climate superfund success story.
The New York Superfund Success Story
In 2024, New York became one of the first states to pass a climate superfund law.
This landmark legislation requires polluters to pay for cleanups, following the 1970s era Environmental Superfund model. It extends coverage to include damages caused by climate change and greenhouse gases, addressing a critical gap in environmental accountability. NY State Senator Liz Krueger, who carried the bill in the Senate, explains.
Too often over the last decade, courts have dismissed lawsuits against the oil and gas industry by saying that the issue of climate culpability should be decided by legislatures. . . . The Climate Change Superfund Act is now law, and New York has fired a shot that will be heard round the world: the companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable.
New York and Vermont have set the stage. California must follow suit. To ensure the Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act gains enough support to become law in 2027-28, we need your help to grow our statewide grassroots movement. Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference.
How You Can Help Make Polluters Pay
Speak up and take action: Five ways you can help:
- Sign the Petition today: Demand that Governor Newsom and public officials support a climate superfund that will get money to communities most in need of recovery and resilience.
- Contact Your local elected officials: Call or write to your local city council members and county supervisors, urging them to support a California Superfund Act that makes polluters pay.
- Join a local Superfund team in your city or county and help promote a town hall and a city/county resolution in support of the Act.
- Join 350 Bay Area’s dynamic, interactive Monthly Climate Action Meeting to learn more about this campaign and how you can make a difference.
- Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your friends and family on social media. The more people who know, the stronger our movement becomes.
Take Action Now to make California a leader in climate justice:
Together, We Can Hold Polluters Accountable
The future of California’s climate resilience depends on bold action today. Without a change in policy, the burden of climate disasters will continue to fall on vulnerable communities. By supporting the Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act, you can help secure a sustainable, thriving future for all. Don’t wait—take action now to hold polluters accountable and demand the change we need.
Pub: Feb 3, 2025; Rev: 2/19/26
Image Credit: 350 Contra Costa Action Volunteer Staff Photo