In Greenfield, City Councilor Patricia Williams has introduced a resolution. This proposal urges the city to back a new law requiring big oil and gas companies to fund local climate change projects.
Earlier this year, representatives Steven Owens and Jack Patrick Lewis introduced the Climate Change Superfund Bill. If it becomes law, this bill will make fossil fuel companies pay into a fund based on their emissions. The state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will determine how much each company owes.
“When a company damages the environment, it should face consequences,” Williams said. She pointed out that local towns often bear the burden of cleanup costs, especially now with federal budget cuts. “Tightening budgets mean cities will struggle even more,” she added.
Importantly, 40% of the funds raised will specifically support Environmental Justice communities, ensuring that those most affected by climate change receive help. Williams learned about the urgency of this initiative from residents like Emily Koester, who urged her to bring it forward. “Justice is about holding those who harm accountable,” she stated. “Taxpayer money should go to education and housing, not cleaning up someone else’s mess.”
The proposed fund could cover various projects. This includes improving infrastructure like roads and bridges, upgrading sewage treatment plants at risk of flooding, and enhancing stormwater drainage systems. Preventative health care programs will also be funded to help those whose health has suffered due to climate change.
The legislation also calls for a “climate cost study.” This study will analyze the total greenhouse gas emissions of oil and gas companies and estimate the costs associated with adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts through 2045.
Williams expects substantial support for her resolution when it is discussed at the Community Relations Committee. “As this is about the environment and the city not facing cleanup costs, I believe City Council will back it. The more cities rally behind the bill, the higher the chance it passes,” she explained.
According to a Pew Research study, about 63% of Americans view climate change as a major threat. This increasing concern may bolster community support for such measures across the country.
Notably, New York and Vermont have already enacted similar climate funds in 2024, which require fossil fuel companies to contribute significantly to climate response efforts. Such moves reflect a growing trend in the U.S. towards holding major industries accountable for their role in environmental degradation.
For more details on the Climate Change Superfund Bill, you can read about it here: H.1014 and S.588.
