The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund (SB1243 and AB684) would force the largest fossil fuel polluters to pay for the climate damages they knowingly caused. If passed, the California EPA would conduct a study of the oil and gas companies most responsible for greenhouse gas emissions between 1990-2024 and make them pay proportionally into a superfund. This superfund would then be allocated towards disaster relief, frontline communities, and our renewable futures, so that major polluters bear the cost and burden that is currently being imposed onto California taxpayers. 

     In the face of climate-exacerbated tragedies such as the 2025 LA Wildfires – and as youth whose future will inevitably involve worsening climate disasters – we see this bill as both justice and a necessity amidst our environmental deficit. Both in spite of and because of the new federal administration, it is California’s duty as a climate leader to follow the examples of New York and Vermont by passing similar bills. Youth v. Oil is currently fighting for this by lobbying with our legislators, promoting public awareness, and engaging with a larger coalition.