ClimateJuly 4, 2026
slush
/slʌʃ/
Definition
A pool of money or funds held in reserve, often used for illicit, corrupt, or improper purposes by an organization.
Etymology
Originating in the 19th century, the term 'slush fund' originally referred to the money raised by a ship's cook from selling 'slush'—the waste fat collected from cooking salted meat. It evolved to describe any reserve fund used for shady or secret financial transactions.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the new regulatory rules as a 'slush fund,' implying that the billions of dollars diverted to private oil interests lack transparency and are being used for political cronyism rather than public benefit.
A Climate Policy Betrayal in California
Read the full article ↗Kleinman Center for Energy Policy