Judge strikes down New York law that forced climate polluters to pay damages
State cannot enforce policy requiring oil firms to pay $75bn over 25 years for climate mitigation and adaptation
TL;DR
- A federal judge struck down New York's "climate superfund" law, which mandated major polluters pay $75 billion over 25 years for climate damages.
- Chief judge Brenda Sannes ruled the state could not enforce the law, siding with Republican-led states and oil interests.
- The decision was based on contested precedent from a fundamentally different case, according to supporters of the law.
- The Trump administration's justice department supported the lawsuit against the New York policy.
- Republican attorneys general praised the decision, viewing it as a victory against liberal states.
- Governor Kathy Hochul's office is reviewing the decision to determine next steps, with an appeal not yet confirmed.
- Vermont faces a similar legal challenge for its climate superfund law.