‘Game-changing’: Vermont becomes first state to require big oil to pay for climate damages

Climate Superfund Act compels oil companies to pay potentially billions of dollars for climate impacts caused by their emissions

Vermont has become the first state to enact a law holding oil firms financially responsible for climate damages, after the Republican governor, Phil Scott, allowed it to pass without his signature late on Thursday.

Modeled after the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund program, the Climate Superfund Act directs the state to charge major fossil fuel companies potentially billions of dollars to pay for climate impacts to which their emissions have contributed. It is expected to face legal challenges from the industry.