Oil and gas profits come at the cost of wildfire preparedness in California

California’s largest tax break allows fossil fuel companies to sidestep $146 million annually, gutting resources for wildfire prevention as climate change intensifies year-round fire risks.

Freddy Brewster and Lucy Dean Stockton report for The Lever.

In short:

California’s “water’s edge” tax loophole lets oil and gas giants avoid paying taxes on foreign profits, depriving the state of billions in revenue annually.
As Los Angeles faces devastating wildfires, budget cuts to fire preparedness and infrastructure have left firefighters scrambling for resources like water access.
Efforts to close the loophole face stiff opposition from oil lobbyists, who have sued the state over attempts to reclaim lost revenue for climate solutions.

Key quote:

“Every dollar lost to this tax giveaway is a dollar that could be invested in climate solutions that save lives and dollars.”

— Barry Vesser, COO of the Climate Center

Why this matters:

California’s wildfires are growing more destructive as climate change makes fire seasons perpetual. Fossil fuel tax breaks not only weaken the state’s ability to prepare for disasters but also fund the very industry exacerbating these crises. Eliminating these loopholes could transform climate policy and save lives.

www.levernews.com

Oil and gas profits come at the cost of wildfire preparedness in California

'Why would we want to leave?': Fiji islanders work on climate resilience to avoid relocation

How a U.N. report legitimized carbon capture and skewed decades of climate policy

What is Canada’s climate track record as it seeks 'ever closer' ties with Europe?

Opinion: Will it be AI or the climate crisis that ends humanity? We can make it neither

The slow, surprising death of EV range anxiety

As permitting bill debate approaches, Senators have fresh doubts and an ultimatum

El Niño-driven drought in Papua New Guinea a ‘national crisis’ as rivers dry up and local farms fail

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.