Franklin Township Environmental Commission backs New Jersey Climate Superfund resolution and will ask council to consider similar action

The Franklin Township Environmental Commission voted to adopt a resolution supporting the New Jersey Climate Superfund Act and agreed to forward a similar measure to the township council for consideration. The vote followed public comment urging local endorsement and a brief discussion about adding a supporting citation.

Resident Robert Scottopane asked the commission to take up the resolution, saying he came “to talk about the resolution that we'd like to get passed by the council on supporting the New Jersey Climate Superfund,” describing the bill as a mechanism to have major historical emitters pay for climate damages. Linda Powell, also a resident, told commissioners the draft resolution was prepared by Empower NJ and recommended minor wording changes to strengthen municipal support.

Commissioners discussed one paragraph on page two that asserts corporate executives were aware of climate harms decades ago. A member asked for the specific reference or Freedom of Information documents to be attached; Scottopane said those documents exist and offered to help locate them. With that addition agreed, a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution and forward it to the township council; the measure was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The commission’s action is advisory: it directs staff and the environmental commission to prepare a version for the council and to include the agreed citation. No further municipal action was taken at the meeting; the next procedural step will be transmission of the commission’s resolution to township council for its consideration.