
California is poised to make polluters pay with a bold new bill that will hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis.
The devastating LA fires, and Saturday’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 the Make Polluters Pay bill in 2025.
Advocating for this bill will be a key focus for 350 Contra Costa Action’s Legislative Team in 2025. We are working with 350 Bay Area Action’s Eliminating Fossil Fuels team to grow grassroots support for the proposed bill, which aims to create a statewide climate superfund to clean up pollution, recover from climate disasters, and protect communities.
As California grapples with worsening climate impacts, this bill becomes more crucial than ever. Here’s why the Make Polluters Pay Bill 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 Bill is designed to combat climate change and hold companies responsible for the destruction they cause. Here’s what the bill will do:
- Create a statewide climate superfund to aid 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 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. Now California must follow suit. To ensure the Make Polluters Pay Bill becomes law in 2025, we need your help. Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference.
How You Can Help Make Polluters Pay
We need you to speak up and take action. Here are three crucial ways you can help:
- Sign the Petition today: Demand the California legislature pass the Make Polluters Pay Bill in 2025 and take action on climate change.
- Contact Your Representatives: Call or write to your state lawmakers and urge them to support the bill. Don’t know who your lawmakers are? Find them easily here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/.
- 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:
Every voice counts in this fight for climate justice. By joining our movement and taking action today, we can ensure that California leads the way in holding polluters accountable. Together, we can make a difference.
Want to stay involved? Join 350 Bay Area’s dynamic, interactive Monthly Climate Action Meeting on February 25th to learn more about this campaign and how you can make a difference.
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 Bill, 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.