Montpelier, VT – Late yesterday, S.259, a bill passed in the Vermont legislature that would allow the state to recover billions from fossil fuel companies to cover costs related to the impacts of climate change, became law. The measure, supported by the Sierra Club’s Vermont chapter and local environmental leaders, is the first-ever so-called “climate superfund” bill in the nation to become law.
The program is applicable only to entities whose fossil fuel production activities were attributable to more than 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions during the years 1995 to 2024.
In response to the news, the Sierra Club released the following statements:
“Vermont knows firsthand the impact that climate change has on our communities, all while powerful corporations such as ExxonMobil and Shell have seen their profits rise exponentially. As our state’s legislative leaders continue the vital work of transitioning us toward 100% renewable energy, it is important that those who profited from polluting and put us in this position be held accountable and pay for the damages their products caused. Those responsible for accelerating climate change must play a role in correcting course so we can avoid the very worst of its effects. I’m grateful to my colleagues at Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Conservation Law Foundation, the many legislative leaders who shepherded this bill into passage, and all who fought to make this law a reality and show that Vermont plans to lead the nation in doing the important work,” said Robb Kidd, Sierra Club Vermont Conservation Program Manager
"For decades, the oil industry has profited while their products and practices continue to cause societal harm in the forms of global climate change, public health hazards, and environmental degradation. The Climate Superfund bill seeks to make Big Oil companies acknowledge and compensate the public for the damages they have caused over the years," said Luke Miller, Vermont Sierra Club Executive Committee Member
"Climate change is upon us. We need to take action now. Multinational oil corporations have contributed significantly to climate change, and they have the resources to pay for the harm done. Let's make them pay instead of hard-working Vermonters," said Zach Hozid, Vermont Sierra Club Chair
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