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Vermont Governor announces Climate Superfund Act in response to 2023 flooding

March 29, 2025 | Environment & Energy, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont


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Vermont Governor announces Climate Superfund Act in response to 2023 flooding
In a recent meeting of the Vermont House Energy and Digital Infrastructure, lawmakers discussed the integration of the Resilience Implementation Strategy (RIZ) into the Climate Superfund Act, a significant step in addressing the state's climate-related challenges. This act, passed last year, aims to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the environmental damages caused by their operations, particularly in light of the severe flooding Vermont has experienced in recent years.

The Climate Superfund Act establishes a cost recovery program that targets fossil fuel extractors and crude oil refiners, requiring them to contribute financially to the damages their activities have inflicted on Vermont from 1995 to 2024. This initiative is designed to create a funding mechanism for projects that will help the state adapt to climate impacts, including flooding and droughts.

During the meeting, representatives acknowledged that the process of assessing the financial implications of greenhouse gas emissions is still in its early stages. While there is no current estimate of the funds that will be generated through this program, the Climate Action Office is collaborating with the treasurer's office to gather information on the damages and potential future costs associated with climate change.

The discussion also touched on the ongoing legal challenges facing the Climate Superfund Act, including a lawsuit from Exxon and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that seeks to halt its implementation. This legal battle underscores the complexities involved in enforcing accountability for climate-related damages.

As Vermont continues to grapple with the realities of climate change, the integration of the RIZ into the Climate Superfund Act represents a proactive approach to securing funding for resilience projects. The outcomes of these discussions and the ongoing legal proceedings will be crucial for the state's efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on its communities.

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