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Lafayette council declines to take action on state 'polluters pay' climate bill pending clearer cost analysis
Summary
Council reviewed the state 'polluters pay' bill (SB 687/AB 1243 as discussed) and—after extended debate about potentially massive fiscal impacts and uncertain pass-through to consumers—endorsed the legislative committee's recommendation of 'no action' to wait for clearer fiscal analyses and committee outcomes.
At its Nov. 24 meeting, the Lafayette City Council discussed a legislative committee report on the so-called 'polluters pay' climate superfund bill (referenced in committee materials as SB 687/AB 1243). The committee outlined the bill’s path through Senate Environmental and Judiciary committees and noted it remains a two-year bill. Councilmembers debated the bill’s potential fiscal magnitude and the absence of credible cost estimates for California.
Councilmember (speaker 2) summarized material from a Senate staff report and analogs in New York and Vermont, noting New York’s initial figure of $75 million had been estimated by staff as likely nearer to $150 billion, and cautioned California’s number could be larger. He raised concerns about how much of any assessed cost would be passed to consumers and how the bill’s scale would compare with California’s existing cap-and-trade revenues.
Other councilmembers said they were sympathetic to the bill’s aims but wanted reliable numbers before endorsing support. After discussion and a motion to endorse the legislative committee recommendation of 'no action' while continuing to monitor the bill, council recorded the recommendation (with a recorded dissent and an abstention noted during discussion). Councilmembers asked staff and the lobbyist to monitor developments and to seek clearer fiscal analyses in the coming months.
