1 CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. ______
SUPPORTING THE POLLUTERS PAY
CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2025
WHEREAS, climate change, resulting primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, is an immediate threat to Alameda which the City is attempting to address via its Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and Sea Level Rise projects; and
WHEREAS, California communities are under siege by escalating fires, floods, droughts, and other disasters. From 1980– 2024, 46 extreme weather and climate disaster events impacted California, with losses exceeding $1 billion each; and
WHEREAS, in January 2025, the nation watched in horror as fatal firestorms raged across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, killing 30 beloved community members, destroying entire communities and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Over 12,000 homes, businesses and institutions burned in apocalyptic fires. The devastation is estimated to cost Californians a staggering $250 billion; and
WHEREAS, across the State, local governments and taxpayers are bearing the immense, mounting costs of rebuilding from climate damages, increased insurance premiums, property taxes, and utility bills. State and local budgets are stretched to the brink as climate risks rise, jeopardizing public services, and forcing communities to carry the burden to address climate-related emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act will make the multinational fossil fuel companies that are responsible for and profit from the climate emergency pay for their damages; and
WHEREAS, Superfund Act will direct CalEPA to complete a first-of-its-kind comprehensive study of the true cost of climate damage to ensure polluters pay their fair share. The Act will hold the largest polluters accountable for the costs to California from climate damage caused by their products with compensatory fee amounts proportional to companies’ self-reported past emissions from 1990-2024; and
WHEREAS, the policy advances California’s commitment to equity and environmental justice. At least 40% of the funds from the Polluters Pay Climate Fund will go to disadvantaged communities to remedy past climate damages and build a more resilient and equit able California. The funds will support urgently needed projects such as implementing wildfire prevention measures like home hardening, upgrading stormwater management systems to prevent flooding, and installing solar panels and energy storage systems to r educe energy costs and 2 increase resilience during power outages. Additionally, these funds could help develop urban green spaces to mitigate heat islands and improve air quality.
Importantly, it could fund programs to support first responders and additional workers who provide essential services during climate disasters; and
WHEREAS, the states of New York and Vermont have enacted their versions of a climate superfund like this one.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Alameda strongly supports the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act legislative package (Legislative Package – AB 1243 (Addis, et al) and SB 684 (Menjivar, et al), and encourages State representatives to pass it and the Governor to sign it into law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Senator Jesse Arreguín (SD7), Speaker Robert Rivas, and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (AD14).