Letters: If polluters paid for damage, state's deficit would be less

"Last January, after the Los Angeles fires, California taxpayers provided $2.5 billion of relief. Most of the current $2.9 billion shortfall would be covered if the fossil fuel companies had paid for the costs of the L.A. fires. Californians can't afford to pay for the disasters caused by climate change or the increases in home insurance. We can't afford to pay for the health problems caused by pollution."

"We can't afford to pay for electric cars to stop the pollution. And we shouldn't have to. The Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund bill will return to the state Legislature in 2027. It will require that the fossil fuel companies pay 3.5% of the profits they've made by overheating the climate. Cities across the state are passing resolutions in support of the bill. If the fossil fuel companies paid for the damage they've caused, we wouldn't have to."

California taxpayers covered $2.5 billion in relief after the Los Angeles fires, and much of a reported $2.9 billion shortfall could be covered if fossil fuel companies paid for those costs. The Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund bill would require fossil fuel companies to pay 3.5% of profits for climate damages and is slated to return to the Legislature in 2027 with broad municipal support. California utilities and community choice providers are approaching near–100% carbon-free power, producing occasional midday surpluses and supporting rapid conversion from natural gas and gasoline to electricity to protect health and affordability.

Read at The Mercury News