In a major step forward for environmental justice, the City of Richmond and Chevron have reached a historic settlement that will significantly increase taxes for the Chevron Richmond refinery.

The leadership of Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Claudia Jimenez were instrumental in reaching this deal. This is an unprecedented victory for the city and its residents, who have long advocated for Richmond’s biggest polluters to pay their fair share.

This agreement will:

• Increase revenue for the City of Richmond by half a billion dollars over ten years
• Protect and expand essential services like park maintenance, street repairs, libraries, and violence prevention
• Hold polluters accountable by making them pay for decades of harm to the community’s health and environment

Greg Everetts, maintenance lead worker and SEIU 1021 City of Richmond chapter president, said, “The health issues that pollution causes in Richmond hurt us all, whether we live in Richmond or work in Richmond or, like so many of our members, both. The way that this city’s workforce and residents have had to do without has been shameful, and that’s why it’s so important that we were able to avoid lengthy litigation and achieve this settlement.

“We’re grateful to Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Jimenez, and to the rest of City Council who heard everyone who supported the ‘Make Polluters Pay’ measure and voted to adopt this settlement. Together, we are paving the way for a cleaner, healthier, and fairer future for everybody who lives and works in Richmond.”

SEIU Local 1021 VP for Organizing Brandon Dawkins said, “This money will give the City of Richmond the opportunity to catch up on deferred maintenance to its city streets and parks and other services the residents rely on. I’m thankful for the opportunity to show up and advocate for both labor and the community. We don’t back down from big oil or anyone else.”

Greg Everetts concluded, “This is a great day for the people, the employees, the city, and Chevron. For both sides to come to this remarkable agreement says a lot. There’s always been a lot of bad blood between the city and Chevron, and it’s great that cooler heads come to the table and come to this astonishing agreement. SEIU 1021 applauds the City Council and the negotiators and employees of Chevron.”