Resolution 16325 CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 16325
SUPPORTING THE POLLUTERS PAY
CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2025
WHEREAS, climate change, resulting primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels,
is an immediate threat to Alameda which the City is attempting to address via its Climate
Action and Resiliency Plan and Sea Level Rise projects; and
WHEREAS, California communities are under siege by escalating fires, floods,
droughts, and other disasters. From 1980-2024, 46 extreme weather and climate disaster
events impacted California, with losses exceeding $1 billion each; and
WHEREAS, in January 2025, the nation watched in horror as fatal firestorms raged
across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, killing 30 beloved community members,
destroying entire communities and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
Over 12,000 homes, businesses and institutions burned in apocalyptic fires. The
devastation is estimated to cost Californians a staggering $250 billion; and
WHEREAS, across the State, local governments and taxpayers are bearing the
immense, mounting costs of rebuilding from climate damages, increased insurance
premiums, property taxes, and utility bills. State and local budgets are stretched to the
brink as climate risks rise, jeopardizing public services, and forcing communities to carry
the burden to address climate-related emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act will make the multinational
fossil fuel companies that are responsible for and profit from the climate emergency pay
for their damages; and
WHEREAS, Superfund Act will direct CalEPA to complete a first-of-its-kind
comprehensive study of the true cost of climate damage to ensure polluters pay their fair
share. The Act will hold the largest polluters accountable for the costs to California from
climate damage caused by their products with compensatory fee amounts proportional to
companies' self-reported past emissions from 1990-2024; and
WHEREAS, the policy advances California's commitment to equity and
environmental justice. At least 40% of the funds from the Polluters Pay Climate Fund will
go to disadvantaged communities to remedy past climate damages and build a more
resilient and equitable California. The funds will support urgently needed projects such as
implementing wildfire prevention measures like home hardening, upgrading stormwater
management systems to prevent flooding, and installing solar panels and energy storage
systems to reduce energy costs and increase resilience during power outages.
Additionally, these funds could help develop urban green spaces to mitigate heat islands
and improve air quality. Importantly, it could fund programs to support first responders and
additional workers who provide essential services during climate disasters; and
WHEREAS, the states of New York and Vermont have enacted their versions of a
climate superfund like this one.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Alameda
strongly supports the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act legislative package (Legislative
Package — AB 1243 (Addis, et al) and SB 684 (Menjivar, et al), and encourages State
representatives to pass it and the Governor to sign it into law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be sent to
Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senate President Pro Tempore
Mike McGuire, Senator Jesse Arreguin (SD7), Speaker Robert Rivas, and
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (AD14).
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular meeting
assembled on the 7' day of October 2025, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Boller, Daysog, Jensen, Pryor and Mayor
Ezzy Ashcraft—5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set by hand and affixed the official
seal of said City this 8th day of October 2025.
Kara eisiger, City Clerk
City of Alameda
Approved as to Form:,
Yibin en, ttorney
City of AI eda