California’s refineries are aging, with some operating for over a century, long before modern environmental laws existed. While other energy sectors (such as nuclear, wind, and solar) are required to plan, set aside funds, and submit advanced disclosures to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for their eventual closure, refineries are not required to until they know when they will close.

The lack of defined refinery transition plans has and will continue to negatively impact communities, workers, and local jurisdictions. We must ground this reality in the potential impacts to communities. This regulatory gap puts those that live and work near these industries at real risk.

SB 1259 will protect taxpayers and communities by mandating that refineries share how they calculate their anticipated asset retirement obligations, as well as timelines for how long cleanup will take.

California must plan for refinery transitions responsibly.

Lawmakers can act now to require transparency, accountability, and advanced planning for cleanup. Community members who have breathed air polluted by Big Oil for generations should not be left with toxic sites in their backyards when companies walk away with their profits.

Send a letter to your legislators here: https://refinerytransparency.org/