CALIFORNIA SET TO REVIVE SB 222

This re-introduced legislation (SB222) authored by Democrat Senator Weiner-D holds the oil and petroleum industry responsible for climate change and allows civil action against them for losses during a disaster, such as the recent Palisades wildfire. It also allows insurance companies, including California’s own FAIR plan (which is currently financially defunct) to sue them for disaster losses!

Here is an excerpt from the bill, which has been set for hearing January 6th:

“This bill would authorize a person to bring a civil action, if specified criteria are met, including damages of $10,000 or more, against a party responsible for a climate disaster or extreme weather or other events attributable to climate change due to the responsible party’s misleading and deceptive practices or the provision of misinformation or disinformation about the connection between its fossil fuel products and climate change and extreme weather or other events attributable to climate change. The bill would make responsible parties jointly, severally, and strictly liable to a plaintiff for the climate disaster or extreme weather or other events attributable to climate change.”

As you know, we already have two petroleum refineries that are set to leave the State in 2026. It has already been reported that the consequence of these two refineries leaving the state is higher gas prices. Can you imagine if SB222 passes? What petroleum company in their right mind would stay in California if they can be held financially responsible for disasters (natural or otherwise) that the state claims are attributable to climate change?