Today, as Governor Newsom is set to appear at New York Climate Week, over 40 groups, led by environmental advocacy organization Food & Water Watch, delivered a letter demanding he stops backsliding on the climate progress he has made so far throughout his term. 

“We are writing as organizations and leaders representing millions of Americans across the country to urge you to live up to your climate and consumer protection rhetoric in the face of Trump’s assault on our climate,” the letter states. “Now is not the time to step back, rather we need your strong leadership in taking on the fossil fuel industry and ushering in a clean energy future.” 

The letter commends Newsom for his earlier support of an environmental justice-led push for a setback to protect communities from fossil fuel drilling, a ban on fracking, and using his national platform to talk about how fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and costing Californians billions in health and environmental damage.

However, the letter notes that that since President Trump’s election, Governor Newsom has appeared to back away from “aggressively taking on Big Oil and the need for a rapid transition off fossil fuels,” including: 

• Failing to support California’s Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act, which seeks to make major polluters pay for the climate damages they have fueled in California, New York and Vermont passing similar bills in their own states.

• Spearheading legislation during California’s most recent legislative session that will streamline permitting for new oil and gas wells in some of the most polluted parts of the state.

• Publicly championing fossil fuel industry-backed schemes like carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen that can worsen climate impacts, increase costs for consumers and ratepayers, and extend the life of polluting projects.

• Prioritizing Big Oil interests over the safety of communities including keeping the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility open indefinitely – site of the largest gas blowout in U.S. history – granting waivers for offshore drilling in the Santa Barbara – site of 2015’s infamous oil spill disaster – and considering bailing out the refineries responsible for a legacy of pollution in our communities. 

“As Governor Newsom touts his climate record on the national and international stage, we must not let him forget that it takes more than words to be a climate leader. He must stop caving to Big Oil interests and instead act to hold Big Oil accountable and advocate for the safety of our unique and beautiful environment and our vibrant communities,” said Food & Water Watch California Director Nicole Ghio. “As President Trump slashes environmental protections and walks in lockstep with Big Oil, we need a leader – now more than ever – who will stand up for Californians and our climate.”