SACRAMENTO, CA (February 4, 2025) – In response to fourth quarter lobbying and influence financial disclosures showing oil and gas companies spent a record 38 million during 2024 to fight climate and environmental justice policies in California, Zachary Norris, California Climate Director at Greenpeace USA said:
“When wealthy corporations spend millions, more in 2024 than ever before to influence state lawmakers, it will never be for the benefit of you and me. Oil and gas companies in California are buying off politicians and hijacking our democracy in order to protect their profits by killing critical climate and environmental justice advancements.”
Last year, oil and gas companies spent heavily to conduct direct lobbying, as well as run advertising and fund the creation of front groups. These efforts concentrated heavily on blocking SB 1497 the Make Polluters Climate Fund which would have forced oil and gas companies to pay for their share of costs associated with climate disasters, like the recent fires in Los Angeles. They also targeted bills like AB 1866 (idle wells reform), AB 2716 (reforms for low-producing wells), and AB 3233 (reaffirming localities’ authority to regulate or ban oil drilling)—the three of which were ultimately passed and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The escalating cost of climate emergencies is leaving millions of Californians across the state struggling, while oil and gas production is driving billions of dollars in profit to fossil fuel companies responsible for the very climate conditions fueling these disasters. These companies have filled the coffers of too many lawmakers in this state in order to hide their responsibility and perpetuate their polluting and destructive ways. But Californians are too smart and are now demanding more from our politicians – demanding that they side with Californians and make polluters stop drilling and start paying.
Contact: Gujari Singh, Greenpeace USA Campaign Communications Manager, [email protected]
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
