Trump DOJ seeks to kill Vermont law that makes Big Oil pay for climate harm

Grist
Grist
3M ago
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The Trump administration is seeking to invalidate Vermont's Climate Superfund Act, which holds major polluters accountable for climate damages.
Trump DOJ seeks to kill Vermont law that makes Big Oil pay for climate harm
A What happened
The Trump administration has requested a federal court to invalidate Vermont's Climate Superfund Act, which requires major polluters to financially compensate for their carbon emissions. The administration claims the law is unconstitutional and seeks to end what it describes as Vermont's 'lawless experiment.' The Climate Superfund Act, enacted in 2024, was designed to hold companies accountable for the climate damages they cause, particularly following significant weather-related destruction in the state. Supporters of the law argue that it is a necessary measure to protect the health and safety of Vermont's residents. The administration's motion follows a lawsuit against Vermont and New York regarding similar laws, highlighting ongoing tensions between state-level climate initiatives and federal regulatory efforts.

Key insights

  • 1

    Legal Challenge to Climate Accountability: The Trump administration's motion seeks to undermine state-level climate accountability laws.

  • 2

    Public Support for Climate Laws: Polling indicates strong public support for making polluters pay for climate damages.

Takeaways

The outcome of this legal challenge could significantly impact state efforts to hold polluters accountable for climate change.

Topics

World & Politics Governance Corruption & Accountability