Between 2013 and 2024, California distributed nearly $28 billion to the oil industry and biofuel companies from two state climate programs: the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the Cap and Invest program. That is the research finding that was presented in this webinar by the authors of a new report by The Climate Center: Clearing … Read more
I’m thrilled that The Climate Center is attending the United Nations annual climate conference once again. This year’s 30th “Conference of the Parties,” or COP30, brings together governmental representatives from almost every country in the world, along with tens of thousands from civil society, to advance climate action. Chief Program Officer Barry Vesser and Legislative … Read more
This year’s United Nations climate conference, COP30 in Belém, Brazil, brought together world leaders to share how they’re tackling climate change back home. With an anti-science, pro-oil president, the world is counting on California to step up on climate. California leaders, and especially Governor Newsom, must defend California’s climate progress against attacks from the fossil … Read more
The California Legislature ended its 2025 session on Saturday. All in all, despite some setbacks, we made more progress than I thought possible. I am very proud of the collaborative leadership role The Climate Center played, especially in light of the federal administration’s efforts to dismantle climate and clean energy policies and slash funding. The … Read more
States are where the climate action is these days, and California has been a leader among leaders! Recent federal attacks on climate progress coupled with unprecedented climate impacts make me more committed than ever to ensure we continue to lead here in the Golden State to rapidly cut climate pollution and make our communities more … Read more
On August 20, 2025, the Assembly Utilities and Energy, Natural Resources, and Transportation Committees held a joint hearing on how to further an equitable transition from fossil fuels to clean transportation fuels. The following testimony was given to the committees by Allison Hilliard, Legislative Manager for The Climate Center: We need bold, equitable action to … Read more
As California continues to clean up air and climate pollution, oil refineries will inevitably close. With wind and solar already more economically competitive than fossil fuels, the transition to a clean energy economy is already underway; it’s just a question of how we get there. Will it be a smooth or bumpy road? The abrupt, … Read more
Just one year ago, fossil fuel corporations were forced to withdraw a California ballot measure that would have canceled public health protections for communities near oil and gas drilling operations. Today, those same corporations are fighting back with a vengeance, laying the groundwork to expand drilling on land and at sea in California. Since losing … Read more
Early this past Saturday morning, I woke up with my heart racing, wondering why so many people had to die in the horrific, climate-fueled flooding in Texas last Friday. And why so many more will suffer from the cruel, big, ugly bill signed into law by the president over the weekend — a bill that … Read more
California is a major petroleum refining state. However, two refineries — Phillips 66 in Wilmington and Valero in Benicia — have announced plans to close at the end of 2025 and early 2026, respectively. Together, these refineries produce about 17 percent of the state’s gasoline supply. If both refineries close as planned, the state could … Read more
