- Reaction score
- 2,276
Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature late Thursday, saying he is concerned about the costs and outcome of the small state taking on “Big Oil” alone in what will likely be a grueling legal fight. But he acknowledged that he understands something has to be done to address the toll of climate change.
Scot, a moderate Republican in the largely blue state of Vermont, recently announced that he’s running for reelection to a fifth two-year term. He has been at odds with the Democrat-controlled Legislature, which he has called out of balance, and was expected by environmental advocates to veto the bill but then allowed it to be enacted.
“Instead of coordinating with other states like New York and California, with far more abundant resources, Vermont – one of the least populated states with the lowest GDP in the country – has decided to recover costs associated with climate change on its own,” Scott wrote in a letter to lawmakers. But he said he understands the desire to seek funding to mitigate the damages caused by climate change that has hurt Vermont “in so many ways.”
apnews.com
Republican Gov. Phil Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature late Thursday, saying he is concerned about the costs and outcome of the small state taking on “Big Oil” alone in what will likely be a grueling legal fight. But he acknowledged that he understands something has to be done to address the toll of climate change.
Scot, a moderate Republican in the largely blue state of Vermont, recently announced that he’s running for reelection to a fifth two-year term. He has been at odds with the Democrat-controlled Legislature, which he has called out of balance, and was expected by environmental advocates to veto the bill but then allowed it to be enacted.
“Instead of coordinating with other states like New York and California, with far more abundant resources, Vermont – one of the least populated states with the lowest GDP in the country – has decided to recover costs associated with climate change on its own,” Scott wrote in a letter to lawmakers. But he said he understands the desire to seek funding to mitigate the damages caused by climate change that has hurt Vermont “in so many ways.”
Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather.
apnews.com
