https://truthout.org/articles/california-gov-newsom-proposes-windfall-profits-tax-on-big-oil/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4ac4bfbe-8742-4d23-bf20-f8c3b0dee3bf
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California Gov. Newsom Proposes Windfall Profits Tax on Big Oil
October 1, 2022
An active oil refinery is located next to a single family home on September
21, 2022, in Wilmington, California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called Friday for a windfall profits tax on oil
companies that would go directly back to California residents.
While crude oil prices are down nationally, big oil companies have increased
gas prices in California by a record 84 cents per gallon in just the last 10
days.
“Crude oil prices are down but oil and gas companies have jacked up prices at
the pump in California. This doesn’t add up,” said Newsom. “I’m calling for a
windfall tax to ensure excess oil profits go back to help millions of
Californians who are getting ripped off.”
California lawmakers are not due back in session until January 2023, which
would be the earliest Californians could see any movement on this.
Calls for windfall profits taxes have increased globally in recent weeks.
On Friday, the European Union agreed
<https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/30/economy/europe-energy-crisis-windfall-tax/index.html>
to impose a new windfall profits tax on fossil fuel companies reaping
massive profits from the high price of oil and natural gas.
And on September 20th, in his opening remarks
<https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2022-09-20/secretary-generals-address-the-general-assembly>
to the UN General Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on
“all developed economies” to tax fossil fuel companies to help those
suffering from the climate and cost-of-living crises.
Guterres’ windfall tax proposal would direct those funds: “to countries
suffering loss and damage caused by the climate crisis; and to people
struggling with rising food and energy prices.”
Guterres accused oil and gas giants of “feasting on a whole bunch of billions
of {dollars} in subsidies and windfall profits whereas family budgets shrink
and our planet burns.”
Also last week, a report
<https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/09/20/world-renowned-economists-call-emergency-corporate-profit-taxes-avert-global>
authored by world-renowned economists and advocates called on governments to
enact windfall profit taxes and other “emergency” measures to avert a global
recession.
The United Kingdom, meanwhile, approved a 25% windfall tax on oil and gas
firms in May — but new right-wing Prime Minister Liz Truss has made clear
<https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/new-uk-prime-minister-liz-truss-vows-energy-relief-rules-out-windfall-tax>
she opposes windfall taxes and won’t support any new ones.