Reforming California’s Cap and Trade Program

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California’s Cap and Trade program, historically a cornerstone of the state’s efforts to reduce climate pollution, is likely to see significant reforms as part of a reauthorization process in 2025. The program is currently authorized to run through 2030, but the long process of reviewing it has begun. While oil companies are pushing to extend … Read more

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Los Angeles needs a climate-smart recovery

The fossil-fueled Los Angeles fires are a heart-wrenching reminder of what the world is in for as we speed past 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. Climate disasters have outpaced our ability to deal with them. As recovery efforts get underway in Los Angeles, rebuilding for more resilience is paramount, especially in the face of federal … Read more

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Pass the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act to make polluters pay for climate destruction

The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, introduced as SB 684 (Menjivar) in the Senate and AB 1243 (Addis) in the Assembly, would ensure that polluters pay their fair share for the climate damage they have caused in California. The firestorm in Los Angeles is only the latest in a string of unprecedented climate disasters that … Read more

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Tell Governor Newsom and state leaders: Eliminate fossil fuel subsidies and prioritize climate investments

Gavin Newsom by Charlie Kaijo

California’s 2025-2026 state budget includes $273 million in cuts to climate and energy investments but protects huge tax breaks for oil and gas corporations. After unprecedented wildfires ravaged Los Angeles only days into 2025, California must strengthen critical climate programs, not cut them. Every dollar we invest in fighting the climate crisis today will save … Read more

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This Big Oil tax break must go

Chevron is one of five oil corporations named alongside the American Petroleum Institute in California's landmark new climate case.

As wildfires rage across Southern California and tens of thousands of people are evacuated (including our own staff members), oil and gas companies continue to wreck the climate while enjoying huge profits. This is the backdrop of a new report by The Climate Center, which reveals that a California tax policy called the “Water’s Edge … Read more

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Big oil was instrumental in crafting a California tax policy that now costs billions in revenue, report reveals

As California faces another deficit, advocates urge lawmakers to end fossil fuel subsidies

Oil tankers at the Port of Long Beach.

SACRAMENTO — Global oil majors played a pivotal role in orchestrating a multibillion-dollar tax dodge that shields corporate profits from California taxes, according to new, in-depth historical research and analysis by The Climate Center. The Water’s Edge tax election, established in the state in 1986 after a decade-long fight, enables multinational corporations to avoid taxes … Read more

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Water’s Edge Tax Haven and California’s Budget Shortfall

How Oil and Gas Majors Crafted a Tax Avoidance Policy Contributing to Ongoing Budget Woes

Oil tankers at the Port of Long Beach.

This report details how global oil majors like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell orchestrated the creation of California’s Water’s Edge tax loophole — a policy that now costs California taxpayers billions annually. It offers a first-of-its-kind, historical look at how oil giants lobbied for and have benefited from the Water’s Edge tax election, shielding their profits … Read more

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How climate action can lower the cost of living

Accelerating climate action will help California address the rising costs of food, electricity, and insurance. Collaborating with partners across the state, The Climate Center is working to pass laws in 2025 that hold Big Oil and corporate utilities accountable, support clean, local energy, and responsibly draw down past carbon pollution.  Right now, oil and gas … Read more

California Climate Policy Summit 2025

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Mike McGuire and the CA Climate Policy Summit 2025

The fourth annual California Climate Policy Summit took place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Sacramento. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, and to the 400 state decision-makers, elected officials, climate activists, environmental justice advocates, business leaders, scientists, and policy experts who joined us to build power behind accelerated, equitable climate action! Videos, transcripts, slides, … Read more

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Tell California’s leaders to stand up for climate action

Climate Rally in Sacramento

What we do in California to address the climate crisis has a ripple effect across the world. With a climate-denying, pro-oil president waging war on federal climate action, California’s climate leadership is more important than ever. The new administration is attacking federal climate progress at every level. On his first day in office, the new … Read more