Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
@apen4ej.bsky.social
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is an environmental justice organization with deep roots in California’s Asian immigrant and refugee communities. Sign up for updates at apen4ej.org/get-involved 💚
When Big Oil cuts corners and refuses health and safety demands from their workers, it puts all of us at risk. bayareacurrent.com/martinez-ref...
Martinez Refinery Workers on Month Two of Strike Warn the Bay Is at Dire Risk
“The EPA should be in there every single day seeing what they’re doing.”
bayareacurrent.com
“There’s a real human cost behind what we’re fighting for and what needs to happen” - Seng So, @apen4ej.bsky.social . California policy like #SB1259 will increase transparency for the actual costs of refinery closures in California, protecting refinery communities... kpfa.org/episode/cars...
"The questions about what comes next will define our city for a generation. By passing SB 1259, California can give communities like mine a fighting chance to answer them." Thank you to City Councilmember Kari Birdseye for sharing this important perspective! 🔥 www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...
When refineries close, communities need vital information about cleanup, costs | Opinion
“As Valero walks away, we are left to reckon with whatever contamination remains in the soil and groundwater.”
sacbee.com
We're back, folks! Still not too late to call @gavinnewsom.bsky.social at (916) 445-2841 and let him know what you think of his appointees' plan to transfer $2bn/yr of transit and clean air money straight to the fossil fuel industry, without even a sign that they'll lower gas prices in return!
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)@apen4ej.bsky.social · 2mo ago33/ Ok, we’re back. After 8+ hours of public testimony yesterday – the vast majority opposing the proposed changes to Cap-and-Invest – @airresources.bsky.social will discuss and vote today. What’s at stake: $4 billion in giveaways to Big Oil and cuts to transit, housing, climate.
CARB is proposing a massive handout to oil & gas industry via Cap-and-Invest 😡 And they are raiding transit and housing funding to do it 1. Transferring allocation from GGRF to Industry 2. Adding new category of MDI industry credits $1.1B yearly subsidy to Industry at loss of $900M to GGRF
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)@apen4ej.bsky.social · 2mo ago3/x Combined, the increased free allowances and the MDI will allow Big Oil to cover up to 156% of their emissions. This means: heavier pollution. More climate-causing emissions. More asthma, cancer, sickness, death. energyathaas.wordpress.com/2026/04/27/a...
Big crowd today calling for California Cap-and-Invest funding to stay for housing and transit, rather than a multibillion dollar giveaway to Big Oil. Keep contacting @governor.ca.gov and @airresources.bsky.social ahead of tomorrow's vote! Link to send letter in the reply.
Transbay Coalition@transbaycoalition.bsky.social · 2mo ago"Bay Area Advocates Rally to Stop State Giveaway to Oil Companies" and save programs that funds public transit, affordable housing, clean air, and clean water! sf.streetsblog.org/2026/05/27/b...
100 public comments made so far -- by our count 70 of the commenters oppose cuts to clean air, clean water, public transit, and affordable housing funds The others have largely been speakers from big corporations
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)@apen4ej.bsky.social · 2mo ago1/x We’re tuning in to California’s @airresources.bsky.social hearing. Today, Newsom’s air regulators are considering rushed changes to the Cap-and-Invest system that would divert BILLIONS from housing, transit, clean water— and send it straight to Big Oil.
Over 60 public comments have been made so far, mostly against but two dozen big polluters happy with the proposal. We expect 100+ more comments to come. Glad to see @rideact.bsky.social @countyconnection.bsky.social speaking out
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)@apen4ej.bsky.social · 2mo ago1/x We’re tuning in to California’s @airresources.bsky.social hearing. Today, Newsom’s air regulators are considering rushed changes to the Cap-and-Invest system that would divert BILLIONS from housing, transit, clean water— and send it straight to Big Oil.
1/x We’re tuning in to California’s @airresources.bsky.social hearing. Today, Newsom’s air regulators are considering rushed changes to the Cap-and-Invest system that would divert BILLIONS from housing, transit, clean water— and send it straight to Big Oil.
We go into the weeds, explaining how CARB is planning to take money from housing and transit and gifting it to Big Oil through California's Cap-and-Invest Program.
The Ongoing Fight for California’s Climate - Transform
Last year, Transform and other advocates scored a big win, continuing funding for climate-friendly programs. Now CARB wants to take it back.
transformca.org
This is not a drill: Governor Newsom's top air regulators are considering giving Big Oil a $4 billion handout — cutting funding for housing, transit, and clean air and water. Regulators vote May 28. Find out more and take action at StopTheOilShakedown.org 🚨
Big Oil Wants an Even Bigger Bailout!
Take Action Now
stoptheoilshakedown.org
Big Oil has no place in politics. Fossil fuel corporations spent over $10 million lobbying leaders in Sacramento to influence key climate policy and programs, like California’s Cap-and-Invest program and SB 1259 (refinery remediation transparency). lastchancealliance.org/big-oil-spen...
Big Oil spends record $10 million on lobbying to kill common sense climate and polluter accountability policy - Last Chance Alliance
Sacramento, Calif. — Oil and gas corporations spent $10.3 million on California state lobbying and influence in the first quarter of 2026, the biggest
lastchancealliance.org
Breaking: 50+ community organizations and local elected officials across California have sent a letter to the Senate E&U committee in support of #SB1259, which would make refineries disclose toxic cleanup costs before closure. Learn more: refinerytransparency.org/wp-content/u...
Last week, flaring at @ValeroEnergy's Benicia refinery blanketed the community in toxic smoke and soot. Refinery closures are inevitable — but without proper planning and health and safety protections, frontline residents pay the price. www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/b...
Black smoke and soot seen at Valero refinery in Benicia
Black smoke and soot was seen shooting out and raining Thursday morning from the Valero refinery in Benicia.
nbcbayarea.com
Refineries have profited off the backs of our communities for decades. Now, CA has the opportunity to plan for refinery closures so Californians aren't left paying the price of cleanup. #SB1259 protects frontline workers, communities, and California – find out more at refinerytransparency.org 🔎
Support the Refinery Transparency Act
Don’t Let Big Oil Pollute and Run!
refinerytransparency.org
🧵 THREAD: It’s time to set the record straight on gas prices, the US-Israel war on Iran, and Big Oil's shakedown of California.
As we transition away from fossil fuels, refinery closures are making headlines in California and across the country. But refinery closures are a "wild west" for regulators -- with big gaps in protections and transparency for local communities, workers and taxpayers.
Lobbying disclosures show @Chevron and @officialWSPA lead fossil fuel lobbying in 2025 - spending over $25 million alone. Major polluters shouldn’t be shaping our laws intended to protect the people. lastchancealliance.org/big-oil-spen...
Big Oil spends $34 million to stonewall and roll back critical health and climate policy in 2025 - Last Chance Alliance
Sacramento, CA — New lobbying disclosures reveal California fossil fuel companies spent an egregious $34 million influencing lawmakers in Sacramento, not too
lastchancealliance.org
A lot of people have been asking questions about how many workers stayed off the job for Minnesota's Jan 23 shutdown against ICE. Here is some more specific info passed along to me by labor leaders in Minnesota. prospect.org/2026/02/04/t...
The point about discouraging workers from flagging safety problems is so critical, especially when you realize how hard places have had to work to create and maintain a culture of speaking up on their own and their colleagues’ behalf
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)@apen4ej.bsky.social · 7mo ago“We represent communities living next to refineries and the workers who operate them. Together, we are sounding the alarm - California must not allow oil billionaires and their lobbyists to rewrite refinery safety rules.”-@apen4ej.bsky.social & #USWLocal5 Read more: calmatters.org/commentary/2...
“We represent communities living next to refineries and the workers who operate them. Together, we are sounding the alarm - California must not allow oil billionaires and their lobbyists to rewrite refinery safety rules.”-@apen4ej.bsky.social & #USWLocal5 Read more: calmatters.org/commentary/2...
Opinion | California shouldn't let oil companies rewrite refinery safety rules
Regulators will hold a hearing Jan. 15 at the OSHA Standards Board in Sacramento on changes that will weaken safety standards for refineries.
calmatters.org
The hugely contaminated Phillips 66 refinery is closing. As redevelopment plans move forward, neighbors demand transparency, input, & stronger health & safety protections. Read the full story from @blancabegert.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org: insideclimatenews.org/news/0912202...
Phillips 66 is Closing its LA Refinery this Month. Neighbors Still Don’t Know if the Company Will Pay for the Cleanup. - Inside Climate News
A new report recommends that refineries write decommissioning plans like those required of other energy infrastructure, and set aside funds to carry out cleanups, before they shut down.
insideclimatenews.org
I said there’s no way to sugar coat it!
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)@apen4ej.bsky.social · last yr.Let’s be clear: fast-tracking thousands of oil and gas wells with only a *single* environmental review further pollutes the air and water in some of California’s most overburdened communities *and* risks deepening our dependence on fossil fuels.
Yesterday, @politico.com ran an article about this week’s @calenergy.bsky.social meeting claiming that climate and environmental justice groups are lining up behind a plan that would “pump the brakes” on the transition away from fossil fuels. It’s time to set the story straight ⬇️⬇️
TODAY: 35+ organizations say NO to a bailout for Big Oil. For years, oil giants failed to fix up refineries, gouged Californians, and paid out billions to shareholders. Now, they're trying to blame climate policy. #CALeg: Stop the oil shakedown. ✍️ Read the full letter here: apen.us/SHAKEDOWN
For yrs, oil giants raked in record profits. Instead of fixing their aging refineries, they gouged Californians and paid out billions to shareholders: $4.3 billion to Valero investors last year alone. Say NO to bailouts for Big Oil! ✍️take action now: stoptheoilshakedown.org @apen4ej.bsky.social
Big Oil Wants an Even Bigger Bailout!
Take Action Now
stoptheoilshakedown.org
The transition from oil is well underway - in CA and across the world. But Big Oil are blaming refinery closures on CA's climate policies in an attempt to shakedown Californians on their way out. Don't let them bail out Big Oil! Learn more + take action: stoptheoilshakedown.org
“The company will just want to maximize profits. They’ll file for bankruptcy, their assets will be stranded, and then workers and communities get left holding the bag.”-- Christine Cordero, co-director of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. www.kneedeeptimes.org/the-path-to-...
California Refineries Are Closing. What About the Workers?
As Valero prepares to shutter its Benicia oil refinery, 400 jobs hang in the balance. Can California ensure a just transition for fossil fuel workers?
kneedeeptimes.org