Empower New Jersey backs Climate Superfund Act for fossil fuel accountability

During the recent Town Council meeting in Morristown, NJ, discussions centered on a significant legislative initiative aimed at addressing the financial impacts of climate change on local communities. Empower New Jersey presented the Climate Superfund Act, a proposed bill that seeks to hold major fossil fuel corporations accountable for the damages caused by climate change in the state.

The Climate Superfund Act would generate funding to support New Jersey towns, residents, and businesses by requiring the largest polluters to contribute financially. This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with climate change, providing an estimated $10 to $20 billion in potential funding for the state. The funds would be allocated through grants to municipalities for projects focused on climate adaptation and remediation.

Importantly, the bill is structured to ensure that local gas and oil providers are not adversely affected. Empower New Jersey is actively encouraging municipal councils to support the act by passing resolutions, and Morristown's council is being urged to join over 24 other municipalities that have already done so.

The Climate Superfund Act has already passed through the environment committees in both the Senate and Assembly, but it still requires approval from additional committees and the full legislature. Senator McKeon, the bill's prime sponsor, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that if the act does not pass this year, it may not be revisited.

The council's support for this legislation could play a crucial role in advancing the bill and securing necessary funding to combat the effects of climate change in Morristown and beyond. As discussions continue, the community remains hopeful for swift action on this vital issue.