Federal judge blocks New York law seeking $75 billion from fossil fuel companies
Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
Newswire
Named sources
In the courts
- A federal judge ruled that New York cannot enforce a 2024 law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years for climate-related damage.
- Judge Brenda Sannes said the law conflicted with federal authority under the Clean Air Act and the need for uniform national energy and environmental policy.
- New York is reviewing the decision, while opponents and supporters offered sharply different reactions.
New York’s attempt to make fossil fuel companies finance climate-related damage has been blocked by a federal judge, who said the state cannot impose its own compensation system alongside federal regulation.
Chief US District Judge Brenda Sannes in Syracuse ruled that the 2024 Climate Change Superfund Act was preempted by federal law. The law would have required fossil fuel companies to pay $3 billion annually into a state fund beginning in 2028, with contributions based on their greenhouse gas emissions from 2000 to 2018.
The Climate Act conflicts with the overriding need for a uniform rule of decision on matters influencing national energy and environmental policy, and basic interests of federalism
Sannes, appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, said the Clean Air Act gives the federal Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions but does not authorize states to create emissions compensation schemes such as New York’s. She warned that enforcement could disrupt the balance between addressing global warming and protecting economic growth, energy production, foreign policy interests and national security.
“The Climate Act conflicts with the overriding need for a uniform rule of decision on matters influencing national energy and environmental policy, and basic interests of federalism,” Sannes wrote.
a money grab by the elites in New York
The ruling followed a challenge by 22 Republican state attorneys general and industry groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce. West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey, who led the states’ opposition, called the law “a money grab by the elites in New York.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office said it was reviewing the decision. Her spokesperson, Ken Lovett, said, “Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for damages caused by polluters.”
New York became the second US state to create an industry-funded climate superfund after Vermont. Vermont’s law also faces legal challenges. The New York fund was intended to support roads, water systems, sewage systems and other infrastructure.
Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for damages caused by polluters.
About this summary
Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
