We’ve been telling you for a little while about how New York’s legislature passed a groundbreaking bill to make Big Oil pay for climate damages last spring. The Climate Change Superfund Act (S.2129B and A.3351B) would force fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share for climate damages in New York State.
But Governor Hochul refuses to sign the bill to make polluters pay for climate chaos. For the last 24 hours an intergenerational, intercultural, interfaith mobilization has been occupying the New York State Capitol Building to demand Hochul sign the bill. They’re still there in the “War Room” outside the Governor’s Office and it’s not too late to either join them, or make a quick call and back them up.
In case you missed it, here’s what’s been going on:
If Hochul signs it into law, New York’s Make Polluters Pay legislation would require fossil fuel companies to contribute $3 billion annually up to a total of $75 billion toward climate damages and clean energy transition. Hochul says she’s on board with the idea, but wants to negotiate some details with the legislature, and she says she’s opposed to raising taxes on the super rich and some corporations. But Hochul is running out of time with a Dec. 31 deadline to sign something or else regular New Yorkers will (still) have to foot the bill for those tens of billions of dollars in climate damages and adaptation costs.
So starting yesterday a long list of allies began a sit-in with teach-ins, legislative speak-outs, scientists’ briefings, music, and more! More than 200 people joined the rally and sit-in yesterday, and 12 elders were arrested on misdemeanor charges last night (including some of our friends from Third Act and the Summer of Heat campaign).
The sit in and demonstrations are continuing today and tomorrow to demonstrate the critical importance of New York’s Make Polluters Pay legislation- and the dire consequences for New York taxpayers and municipalities if Hochul fails to sign the bill – climate organizations throughout New York State are mobilizing for this sit-in to demand that the Governor comply with the will of the people of New York expressed through our State Legislature.
If you can make it to Albany this week, please do. But wherever you are back up these brave activists with a phone call (the Governor’s line is open from 9am-5pm Eastern, Monday-Friday) and Tell Governor Hochul to listen to the protestors and Make Polluters Pay for Climate Chaos!