RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COTATI SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA
POLLUTERS PAY CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT
WHEREAS, the climate crisis, resulting primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, is an immediate, grave threat to the people, communities, biodiversity, environment, and economy of the state and to local communities; and
WHEREAS, California communities, including the City of Cotati (City) are threatened 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 people, destroying entire communities and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Over 12,000 homes, businesses and institutions burned in the fires. The devastation is estimated to cost $250 to $275 billion; and WHEREAS, across the state, local governments and taxpayers are bearing the costs of rebuilding from climate damages, increased insurance premiums, property taxes, and utility bills.
State and local budgets are stretched as climate risks rise, jeopardizing public services, and forcing communities to carry the burden to address climate-related emergencies; and WHEREAS, currently pending before the California state Assembly and Senate are two tandem bills, Assembly Bill 1243 (Addis) and Senate Bill 684 (Menjivar), that seek to create the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (Superfund Act); and WHEREAS, State Representative Connolly, representing the 12rd District, including the City of Cotati, co-authored Assembly Bill 1243; and
WHEREAS, the Superfund Act will require the multinational fossil fuel companies that are responsible for and profiting in the billions from the climate emergency help pay for their damages; and
WHEREAS, the 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 Superfund 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 funds from the Polluters Pay Climate Fund will go to disadvantaged communities to remedy past climate damages and build a more resilient and equitable 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 reduce energy costs and 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 similar to this one; and
WHEREAS, the City has consistently adopted a variety of greenhouse gas reduction policies, including the Electric Vehicle Reach Code (Ordinance 919), prohibitions on new or expanded gas stations (Ordinance 910), a resolution asking the State to accelerate greenhouse gas reduction timelines (Resolution 2021-41), moving the City to 100% renewable Evergreen electricity (June 2019), opposing expansion of off shore oil exploration (Resolution 2018-57), urging the United States Congress to enact a Revenue-Neutral Carbon Fee and Dividend Program (Resolution 2018-26), adopting the Climate Action 2020 plan (Resolution 2018-15) and a variety of related efforts from urban agriculture to waste reduction to bicycle and pedestrian improvements and policies; and
WHEREAS, the Superfund Act proposes to shift the burden of paying for the high costs of recovery from climate damage from California taxpayers to the international oil and gas corporations that have been recording year-over-year profits in the many billions of dollars for the past few years.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City strongly supports the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, and encourages State representatives to enact it. A copy of this resolution will be sent to our State Assembly and Senate representatives, the Attorney General, and the Governor.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on October 14, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:____________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney