Last July, heavy storms hit Vermont hard, causing significant damage. In response, state legislators introduced the Climate Superfund Act to make Big Oil accountable for the climate impacts caused by their products. The bill has gained widespread support in the legislature and is now awaiting the governor’s signature. Once in effect, Vermont will be the first state to make Big Oil pay for climate disasters.
The Climate Superfund Act aims to recoup costs from climate disasters and invest in resilient infrastructure. Scientists will use attribution science to calculate how much oil companies owe based on their emissions. The bill targets companies responsible for over a billion metric tons of emissions, ensuring accountability for major polluters.
If the bill withstands legal challenges, Vermont will set a precedent for holding Big Oil accountable. Similar efforts in other states have faced obstacles, but Vermont’s thorough approach and conservative estimation method provide a strong defense against legal pushback. The introduction of superfund bills in various states highlights the growing movement to make polluters pay for their contributions to climate change.
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