Advocates Demand Action on Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Bill at Two-Day Capitol Surge
Bill author Asm. Addis joins groundswell of support for AB1243 / SB 684 to make polluters pay their fair share of climate damage
SACRAMENTO, CA — As California faces a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, Assemblymember Dawn Addis joined climate and environmental justice advocates at the Capitol for a high-energy “Make Polluters Pay” rally and advocacy day. With grassroots supporters from across the state in attendance, supporters called on lawmakers to pass the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (AB 1243 / SB 684) — a landmark bill that would make Big Oil cover at least some portion of the skyrocketing costs of climate disasters like wildfires, floods, and extreme heat. The bill is sponsored by Campaign for Safe and Healthy California, Center for Biological Diversity, and California Environmental Voters and backed by over 200 organizations, including labor unions and businesses.
Download photos courtesy of Beverly Page
The bill’s supporters argue that in a time of deep budget cuts, the Climate Superfund offers a commonsense and fiscally responsible solution: shift the burden of rising climate costs from taxpayers to the fossil fuel corporations who knowingly caused the damage. Lawmakers heard directly from frontline advocates and climate disaster survivors who are already living with the painful costs and health harms—Californians demand and deserve accountability—Californians have paid enough.
“The climate crisis is a financial crisis,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis. “As Californians face the devastating impacts of climate change from wildfires and extreme heat, and our State experiences historic budget challenges, we cannot lay the burden on everyday taxpayers. The Climate Superfund Act is a responsible step forward that holds those who contributed most to the climate crisis accountable. This Act will provide the needed revenue to rebuild from destruction caused by climate disasters. This is about fairness, justice, and protecting our future.”
"The cost of these disasters shouldn’t fall on people who already lost everything,” said Matt Schodorf, co-owner of Café de Leche in Altadena. “If we want towns that can survive what’s coming, we need a system that shows up for all of us—not one that lets corporate polluters off the hook. Rebuilding Café de Leche is about more than coffee—it’s about restoring a piece of my community."
California’s Fourth Climate Assessment projects that, by 2050, the state will incur approximately $113 billion in climate damage costs every year–a figure that doesn’t include loss of human life or property due to wildfires. The 2025 LA fires alone caused an estimated $250 billion in damages. Flooding in 2023 ruined 41% of Kings County’s $2.43 billion crop value, plus another $1 billion in damages; a dairy industry official estimated $20 billion in losses for the industry, leading to layoffs for workers.
Every $1 invested in climate resilience and disaster preparedness saves $13 in avoided harms and economic impacts. The Climate Superfund could generate $150 billion or more in revenue over the next two decades to help address these costs, protect public health and schools, ensure access to clean water and housing, support essential workers, and invest in resilience for frontline communities.
"Polluters need to pay for the damage that their business has caused to our environment,” said Melvin Willis, Lead Campaign Organizer for Contra Costa ACCE. “The fossil fuel industry spends more money fighting regulators or giving political contributions to candidates who won't hold the industry accountable. Meanwhile, investments are desperately needed in working class communities to protect public health, create jobs and build more climate resilient neighborhoods."
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen oil giants rake in record-breaking profits while neglecting their aging refineries, increasing the risk of deadly disasters, and fueling the flames of climate change,” said Maggie Tsai, State Political Director of Asian Pacific Environmental Network Action. “As the health and climate costs of fossil fuel pollution mount, California’s working families can’t afford to keep footing the bill. It’s time to Make Polluters Pay.”
“We are facing unprecedented health burdens and costs as a result of the climate crisis,” said Martha Dina Argüello, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles. “Worse, the communities that suffer the most are shouldering these burdens while fossil fuel companies, who directly contributed to the crisis, continue their extractive and toxic business as usual. It’s time to hold them accountable. It’s time to Make Polluters Pay. That’s why we’re here in Sacramento today, advocating for the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Bill. We need the State to fund equitable and resilient projects for frontline communities, and not to be complicit in the harm caused by Big Oil.”
Advocates and grassroots supporters are pushing back against misinformation being spread by the fossil fuel industry to frighten Californians about potential gas price hikes, while ignoring the costs that working families are already bearing - rising utility bills, insurance premiums, and medical bills. Advocates say that gaining lawmaker support for the Climate Superfund is especially crucial now.
“In the midst of an affordability crisis, working families are being forced to shoulder the rising costs of climate disasters, like the Los Angeles fires, while the corporations that fueled the damage walk away with record profits. Polluters Pay would shift the financial burden from everyday people to the fossil fuel companies that have not paid a dime to repair damages caused by their emissions,” said Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, Legislative Affairs Manager, California Environmental Voters. “This is about accountability, economic justice, and protecting our communities from being left behind. It's time for the biggest polluters to finally pay their fair share.”
“Passing the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act would help protect California’s budget and raise billions of dollars to bolster public services, fortify against future climate catastrophes, and invest in building healthier, safer communities,” said Maya Golden-Krasner, deputy director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “Instead of putting essential programs on the chopping block, state leaders should require the largest fossil fuel polluters, who spent seventy years gaslighting us and blocking climate action, to help pay some of the damages their products have caused the state.”
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