California taxpayers should not get stuck paying refinery clean-up costs.

Refineries handle some of the most toxic substances in the state, but they aren’t required to provide a clear plan or cost estimates for cleanup before they shut-down. Other energy industries—gas and nuclear generation, wind and solar, and oil, gas, and coal extraction — are generally required to plan for their end-of-life and facility closures. In many cases they are also supposed to provide a level of financial assurance to cover decommissioning.

Refineries are the exception.

SB 1259 helps communities plan ahead!

• SB 1259 requires oil refineries to submit decommissioning and clean up plans to the State Water Board that detail how they will dismantle their facilities and clean up their toxic pollution when they decide to close.

• It mandates that companies provide public cost estimates for this work to ensure that taxpayers aren't stuck paying for the cleanup after a refinery closes

SB 1259 made it through the Senate. On June 16 it passed through the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, thanks to Assemblymembers Connolly, Bauer-Kahan, Lee and Papan!

• If you are in Connolly, Bauer-Kahan, Lee, or Papan’s districts consider adding a thank you to this letter AND tell them to urge Assembly Leadership to support the bill.

• If you live in another district urge your Assemblymember to vote for SB 1259 when it reaches the floor AND tell them to push Assembly Leadership to support the bill.

Assembly Leadership needs to know Assembly Members support SB 1259. Without Leadership support - the bill will die. With your help, we can urge our elected leaders in the CA legislature to stand up to support this common-sense bill for the protection of our communities!