Big Oil Spends Big Money in Calif.

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Seeking to weaken a California climate change bill, oil companies spent nearly $11 million during the final weeks of the legislative session, to persuade lawmakers and run ad campaigns.

Combating climate change had been the centerpiece of Governor Jerry Brown and Democrats’ agenda, with Senate Bill 350 calling for a 50% reduction in petroleum use. But, oil lobbyists were ultimately successful in whacking it.

The Western States Petroleum Association, Valero, and Exxon all put up several million dollars to see the the provision of the bill removed.

Much of the spending was filed under catch-all category of “other payments to influence.”