June 23, 2026
City Council
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Subject:
Support for SB 1259 – Transparency for Refinery Asset
Retirement Obligations
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Senate Bill 1259 will equip the state of California and communities with the necessary information to actively
plan for land revitalization and reuse, giving communities burdened by legacy pollution an opportunity to actively dream of a different future.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DIRECT City Council office staff to submit a letter of
support to the California State Legislature for Senate Bill 1259 on behalf of the City of Richmond – Councilmember
Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565). This item was
continued from the June 16, 2026, meeting.
DISCUSSION:
California communities and whole regions are severely impacted by pollution from refineries, and the cost of cleaning up the land cannot be left to our residents. Senate Bill 1259 will equip the state of California and communities with the necessary AGENDA
REPORT
June 23, 2026
information to actively plan for land revitalization and reuse, giving communities burdened by legacy pollution an opportunity to actively dream of a different future.
Refineries handle some of the most toxic substances in the state, yet they are badly under-regulated compared to other energy systems. SB 1259 is a small but important step to bring refineries up to date with basic information-sharing requirements.
This bill would create transparency for oil refinery cleanup costs by establishing standard guidelines for all refiners to follow in assessing and reporting what their costs will likely be should their refineries close.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Draft Support Letter
Attachment 2 – AB 1259 Fact Sheet