Environment

New Jersey legislators advance climate superfund bill

‘Someone’s going to have to pay for it.’
Amusement park rides are at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Democratic lawmakers in New Jersey want oil and gas companies to pay for climate change adaptation and resilience projects, joining more than a dozen states that have considered legislation seeking help in mitigating damage from more frequent and intense storms.

The Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Monday approved legislation on a party-line vote that would charge fossil fuel companies $50 billion over 20 years to fund a variety of climate mitigation and other projects, including flood protection, home buyouts, stormwater drainage system upgrades, and defensive upgrades to roads, bridges, railroads and transit systems.

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