Extreme Weather Continues in New York State
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New Yorkers have sweated through extreme heat and been battered by tornadoes and flooding across the state in the last month.
Calling on the Governor
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Now, many residents, advocates, and public officials are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to take action against these extreme weather events, by signing a climate change bill that would force oil and gas companies to pay for their emissions, relieving the burden on taxpayers.
$1.3 Billion in 2024 (So Far)
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A recent joint analysis from the New York Public Interest Research Group and other environmental advocacy groups has shown that state taxpayers have fronted the bill for more than $1.3 billion in New York resiliency projects this year.
Climate Change Superfund Act
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If Hochul signs the Climate Change Superfund Act, Big Oil and Gas would be on the hook to pay for $3 billion worth of climate change resiliency projects every year for the next 25 years – approximately $75 million in financing.
Many Climate Resiliency Initiatives
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Funding from the act would go towards additional air conditioning in schools and other indoor public spaces, cooling centers, flood damage prevention, and other climate-related initiatives.
DEC Investigations
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It would also give New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation the go-ahead to investigate which companies are producing the most greenhouse gas emissions, and how much each should pay.
Modeled on Federal Laws
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The Climate Change Superfund Act was sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. It is modeled on pre-existing federal and state superfund programs, which hold major oil and gas corporations like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron financially accountable for their emissions.
Rallies This Month
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Last week environmental advocates rallied together outside of the Brooklyn Library in New York City, to call on Gov. Hochul to sign the bill.
Food & Water Watch
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New York’s chapter of Food & Water Watch, a Washington D.C-based non-profit advocating for food and water safety and climate protection, has been watching the legislative protest closely, and advocating for the bill every step of the way.
No Response Amid “Two Months of Extreme Heat”
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The group was present at the rally, including the group’s New York organizer Eric Weltzman. “Governor Hochul has let two months of extreme heat go by without signing the Superfund Act to unleash billions of corporate dollars to keep us cool and our subways dry,” he told The Center Square.
“Make Polluters Pay”
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Waltzman believes Hochuld should be “splashing corporate cash and making polluters pay for real solutions to climate-driven extreme weather,” instead of making New Yorkers rely on underfunded facilities, like public pools, to cool down.
Strong Resolve Against Hot Weather
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Other advocates rallied outside of Gov. Hochul’s Manhattan office earlier this month on August 2. The sweltering summer heat during the rally only strengthened their resolve to push for the Superfund Act.
Lawmakers Push Too
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It isn’t just environmental advocacy groups calling on Hochul to sign the act. The legislation was approved by state lawmakers in June this year, who are now waiting for the governor to make a final decision before passing it into law.
City Comptroller Agrees
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Now those lawmakers, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, are joining the rallies to apply pressure on the governor.
“Where Should the Money Come From?”
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“Where should the money come from to do the resiliency work that’s going to save lives, that’s going to protect our communities, that’s going to make it possible for us to have a thriving and resilient future?” Lander told the 24-hour New York news channel Spectrum News.
Do the Crime, Pay the Fine
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“It’s really straightforward,” he added. “It should come from the folks who have done the damage to our climate.”
No Indication Yet
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So far, neither Hochul nor her office have given any clear indication of where she stands on the Superfund act. “The Governor is reviewing all legislation that passed both houses of the Legislature,” a spokesperson told state news organization City & State.
Statement from the Governor’s Office
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“Governor Hochul has championed climate resiliency throughout her time in office and unveiled a comprehensive plan and investments to protect New Yorkers from extreme weather as part of her 2024 State of the State agenda,” the spokesperson said.
American Petroleum Institute Responds
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The Superfund Act has been blasted as “bad policy” by the American Petroleum Institute, a US trade group that represents nearly 600 companies in the oil and gas industry.
Campaign Against America?
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A spokesperson described the proposed legislation as “a coordinated campaign to undermine America’s energy advantage,” that would unfairly and unlawfully hold companies responsible for “the actions of society at large.”
Oil Dumping Scandal Rocks Ships Heading to New Orleans
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Two shipping companies have been fined after knowingly hiding a large oil spill in the Atlantic Ocean. Oil Dumping Scandal Rocks Ships Heading to New Orleans
20 Eye-Opening Realities Facing Retiring Baby Boomers
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As Baby Boomers approach retirement, the promise of leisure and security often seems unattainable. This generation faces unique challenges that could redefine retirement. Here’s a stark look at the realities shaping their outlook. 20 Eye-Opening Realities Facing Retiring Baby Boomers
Retail Apocalypse: Massive Closures Sweep Across U.S. Brands
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Stores across the U.S. are closing at unprecedented levels, according to new research from advisory firm Coresight Research. Read on for more information about the impact this could have on you and your communities. Retail Apocalypse: Massive Closures Sweep Across U.S. Brands
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