Richmond, California, secured a half-billion dollar settlement from Chevron after proposing a ballot tax on barrels produced at its local refinery, setting a potential model for other cities.
Will McCarthy reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Chevron offered a $550 million settlement to avoid a proposed barrel tax in Richmond, California.
- The settlement could fund Richmond's budget for ten years and encourage similar actions in other refinery towns.
- Activists view the deal as a mixed victory, while some cities are already considering similar initiatives.
Key quote:
“The community of Richmond has created a movement that will echo across the nation.”
— Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of Richmond
Why this matters:
Cities across the U.S. could use Richmond's strategy to pressure large polluting industries into settlements. This approach may empower local governments to secure funding while holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts.
Read more: Pollution, Poverty, and People of Color: 'We Are Richmond'
