Supported by The Climate Center

SB 252 (Gonzalez) Fossil fuel divestment in the public retirement system

Climate activist in Sacramento holds a sign reading "Divest from destruction, Invest in our Future." Photo by The Climate Center.
Climate activist in Sacramento holds a sign reading "Divest from destruction, Invest in our Future." Photo by The Climate Center.

Existing law prohibits the boards of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTERS) (boards) from making new investments or renewing existing investments of public employee retirement funds in coal companies (Limited to coal used to generate electricity. The definition excludes coal used to produce steel).

Existing law requires these boards to liquidate investments in coal companies on or before July 1, 2017, and requires them, in making a determination to liquidate investments, to constructively engage with coal companies to establish whether the companies are transitioning their business models to adapt to clean energy generation.

SB 252 would prohibit the boards of CalPERS and CalSTERS from making new investments in fossil fuel companies (Defined as one of the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, as established by carbon content in the companies’ proven oil, gas, and coal reserves).

This bill would require the boards to liquidate investments in fossil fuel companies on or before July 1, 2030, and would require the boards, commencing February 1, 2025, to file an annual report with the Legislature and the Governor, containing specified information, including a list of fossil fuel companies of which the board has liquidated their investments.

Committee Location: Double-referred to the Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

Full bill text and related info.

Bill Author