A New Year’s resolution for California’s legislators: Reject oil and gas contributions

The new year is here, and with it starts year two of California’s 2021-22 legislative session. As Californians try to keep our newly made resolutions for the year ahead, here’s one for California legislators: Reject the influence of the fossil fuel industry.

It’s clear that many California legislators don’t feel the urgency of the climate crisis. Time and time again this year, California’s lawmakers had the chance to make concrete progress on climate change and protect our most vulnerable communities from the climate crisis. Instead, they either passed insufficient half measures, threw money at the issue through the budget process or ignored those opportunities entirely.

Last year, key climate bills like AB 1395, The California Climate Crisis Act, and SB 467, which would ban fracking, died on the legislative floor or in committee. Although the governor took some notable steps — like the recently announced draft rule to require a 3,200-foot distance between new oil and gas sites and communities — none of the state’s significant climate progress was accomplished through the Legislature in 2021.

Why? Because the influence of the oil and gas lobbies has continuously stalled any meaningful legislation on the subject.

There’s a massive disparity between California’s image as an environmental leader and the reality of its mediocre legislative record. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon warned during last fall’s U.N. climate conference in Scotland that California is no longer leading in the fight against climate change.

Over 500 lobbyists from 100 different fossil fuel companies attended the conference to oppose legislation to curb oil and gas production. Many of the same lobbyists have made significant donations to California politicians. They and their allies contributed $556,000 to 81 legislators in 2021 alone.

The scientific consensus is clear: Oil and gas extraction poses an immediate danger to both public health and our vital local ecosystems. From the Orange County oil spill to the demonstrated longer-term negative effects on air quality and public health, oil and gas extraction anywhere in California is a threat to Californians everywhere. There is simply no safe distance from the effects of oil and gas pollution.

But many of our elected officials are failing to meet the urgency of this moment and pass the sweeping legislation that will protect our communities and environment. At the very least, we need a total ban on any new permits for oil and gas wells; greater distances between oil and gas extraction sites and communities; a solid timetable for phasing out California’s existing drilling infrastructure; and a mandate that oil and gas companies, not California taxpayers, pay to clean up abandoned oil wells.

It’s time for lawmakers to reject contributions from the oil and gas lobbies. Our elected officials have been in the pocket of polluters for too long. They’ve shamelessly sold out our future, and our children’s future, for the price of a few campaign donations. We expect and demand better from the people who supposedly represent the interests of Californians.

The 2022 legislative session started Monday. This is a critical moment to prove that our elected officials represent their constituents, not the oil and gas industries. Every member of the Legislature must commit to rejecting contributions from polluters.

This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "A New Year’s resolution for California’s legislators: Reject oil and gas contributions."