MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Devastating floods and other disasters linked to human-caused climate change have some state lawmakers wanting to hold fossil fuel companies accountable.
Extreme weather has cost Vermont and individual communities millions. The Vermont Climate Super Fund Act is modeled on a federal law allowing for state officials to recover cleanup costs from those responsible for causing environmental harm. Companion bills have 20 sponsors in the Senate and 87 in the House. Under the bill, The Vermont Attorney General and Treasurer’s office, along with the Agency of Natural Resources, would determine which damages are attributed to climate change.
“Vulnerable Vermonters, mom-and-pop businesses, and small cities and towns aren’t the cause of this damage — that came from climate change. It’s no coincidence that 2023 was the warmest year in history, and the most expensive.,” said Sen. Anne Watson, D-Washington County.
For example, the town of Stannard took on about $300,000 of repairs from this summer’s floods and officials say there is no way the town of about 200 people can cover that alone.
The bills are supported by several environmental groups including Vermont Conservation Voters and VPIRG.
Governor Phil Scott earlier this year said he opposed similar measures in other states.
The state has already sued several fossil fuel companies in a 2021 consumer protection lawsuit over the alleged misleading messages from fossil fuel companies about climate change. but that civil case does not have any claims or damages for environmental harm as outlined in the current bill.