Fund Richmond’s future. Fix our streets, clean the water and air, invest in essential services.

For over a century, big polluters have made billions in Richmond, California, while racking up costs for taxpayers.

Why should Richmond families foot the bill for their pollution?

The Polluters Pay Ballot Measure will require local big polluters to pay for the harm to our community’s health and environment over the past 120 years. The Polluters Pay measure can invest in the critical services Richmond residents need now, like clean air and water treatment, funding our parks, repairing our streets, improving public health access and youth services. The tax will grow general fund revenue so that when polluters leave, our families aren’t left with the mess.

Next door in Martinez, taxpayers were left to pick up the costs when, in October 2020, the Marathon oil refinery shut down after 100 years of operation, laying off hundreds of union workers and continuing to pollute the land, air and water.

Frequently Asked Questions

We can’t leave it to fossil fuel companies to decide what’s next for Richmond.

That’s why our coalition is backing the measure to invest in Richmond’s clean water, land, and essential services – by making polluters pay their fair share for over a century worth of health and climate damages.

Join us in support of the Polluters Pay Ballot Measure

We pay our fair share. Shouldn’t they?

Small businesses, individual homeowners, and other businesses contribute nearly 95% of Contra Costa County’s total property taxes. The Chevron Richmond refinery, despite being Richmond’s largest private landowner and one of the largest businesses in Contra Costa County, contributes only 1.34% of the county’s total property taxes.

Asthma, cancer, and millions in medical bills: the real cost of refining.

Major polluters, like Chevron, made $21.3 billion in profits last year while violating clean air regulations at its Richmond refinery 315 times. They must pay for their impact on our community.

Richmond children grow up with chronic asthma. Children living close to the refinery are admitted to emergency care at triple the rate of children across California.
Richmond elders – both long-time residents and newly arrived retirees – are suffering from increased rates of asthma, cancer, and other health concerns due to increased exposure to industrial pollution.
Richmond working families are struggling to make ends meet while major polluters profit from damages to our community’s health.
Meanwhile, the healthcare costs from the area’s five local refineries in Contra Costa County are estimated to be at least between $72 Million and $140 Million each year, according to the EPA.

We can’t risk them abandoning us with the costs of these health and environmental impacts.

Join us in support of the Polluters Pay Ballot Measure.

Take action now: Send a letter to tell the City Council to place the Polluters Pay Initiative on our November ballot!

Hold polluters accountable for paying to clean up Richmond.

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Website Photos Courtesy of: Eber Bravo & Pablo Unzueta

Paid for by Polluters Pay sponsored by Asian Pacific Environmental Network Action and Service Employees International Union Local 1021
Ad Committee’s Top Funder: Asian Pacific Environmental Network Action