news article
Climate Change Superfund Act: Great news from the UMUNY Creation Justice Team
January 9, 2025 / By UNY Creation Care / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Governor Kathy Hochel has signed the Climate Change Superfund Act. This Act requires the largest gas and oil companies who do business in New York State to pay the State $25 billion over ten years, $3 billion each year. The money will be used to help municipalities pay for the damage caused by the climate crisis. In addition, the Act will require at least 35% of the monies received be directed to protecting communities of color affected by environmental crises. These funds will help communities suffering from flooding, tornadoes, and life-threatening snow storms.
New York has already faced some super storms with loss of life and extreme property damage. While these climate damage costs have been piling up for taxpayers, the industry responsible for this situation has made $1 trillion in profit from 2021 to present. The industry has known that burning fossil fuels endangers us all since the 1950s, based on work of their own scientists. Now, like the tobacco industry and the chemical industry, the fossil fuel industry will have to pay for damages they have caused.1
Many Christian believers and believers of all faiths from all across the state—including your Creation Justice Team—have worked with the New York State legislature and the Governor to get this Act passed and signed. It has been a part of our work to protect God's Creation.
1 $25 billion is a noticeable sum, but it won't cover ALL the damages, unfortunately.