For ads-free news, click here.
Whether it’s a record rainfall, heatwave, or coastal storm, New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul says it’s all the fault of oil and gas companies, and now they are going to have to pay for the ‘damages.’
From ABC News: Large fossil fuel companies would have to pay fees to help New York fight the effects of climate change under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The new law requires companies responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions to pay into a state fund for infrastructure projects meant to repair or avoid future damage from climate change.
Lawmakers approved the bill earlier this year to force big oil and gas companies to contribute to the cost of repairs after extreme weather events and resiliency projects such as coastal wetland restoration and upgrades to roads, bridges and water drainage systems.
In protest, the American Petroleum Institute said, “This type of legislation represents nothing more than a punitive new fee on American energy, and we are evaluating our options moving forward.”
The report quotes Democrat state Sen. Liz Krueger, who sponsored the bill, as declaring, “The Climate Change Superfund Act is now law, and New York has fired a shot that will be heard round the world: the companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable. The planet’s largest climate polluters bear a unique responsibility for creating the climate crisis, and they must pay their fair share to help regular New Yorkers deal with the consequences.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Thursday and announced, “I’m fighting to protect New Yorkers who have faced billions of dollars in costs due to extreme weather. It’s time for large polluters to pay their fair share. Introducing the Climate Superfund.”
“With nearly every record rainfall, heatwave, and coastal storm, New Yorkers are increasingly burdened with billions of dollars in health, safety, and environmental consequences due to polluters that have historically harmed our environment,” Governor Hochul said in a press release.
“Establishing the Climate Superfund is the latest example of my administration taking action to hold polluters responsible for the damage done to our environment and requiring major investments in infrastructure and other projects critical to protecting our communities and economy.”
I’m fighting to protect New Yorkers who have faced billions of dollars in costs due to extreme weather. It’s time for large polluters to pay their fair share.⁰⁰Introducing the Climate Superfund: https://t.co/lU2pJ990mM
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 26, 2024
The majority of people responding on social media are not impressed.
Joe Miller, an Army National Guard veteran, retorted, “I’m confused. Dems say tariffs and taxes on corporations just get passed onto consumers. How is this not going to raise energy prices for NY residents?”
I’m confused. Dems say tariffs and taxes on corporations just get passed onto consumers. How is this not going to raise energy prices for NY residents?
— Joe Miller (@JoeFnMiller) December 27, 2024
Kathy Szeliga, GOP leader in the Maryland House of Delegates, also wrote, “This defies logic and basic economics. Taxing or slapping fees on companies doesn’t hurt corporations—it hurts you. They just pass the costs to consumers. New York’s sky-high utility bills? Thank the liberals running the state and their disastrous energy policies. Econ 101.”
This defies logic and basic economics. Taxing or slapping fees on companies doesn’t hurt corporations—it hurts you. They just pass the costs to consumers. New York’s sky-high utility bills? Thank the liberals running the state and their disastrous energy policies. Econ 101 https://t.co/aZutN4WIJY
— Kathy Szeliga (@KathyforMD) December 27, 2024
Sam Antar hit Hochul over her private jet travel:
New York Governor Kathy Hochul wants to combat extreme weather and pollution by taking private jet rides one at a time. https://t.co/3Fu6qvYUjy pic.twitter.com/vcB4mEdvtg
— Sam E. Antar (@SamAntar) December 26, 2024
X user ‘Grandma Judy’ wrote, “I live in MA. Our climate is not extreme. When I was a child we would receive snowfall that was several feet in depth. Our rainfall is on average. And, the mosquito population is more controlled than any time in my life. On average the summers are not horrible temperature wise. So I’m not sure what you are talking about!”
I live in MA. Our climate is not extreme. When I was a child we would receive snowfall that was several feet in depth. Our rainfall is on average. And, the mosquito population is more controlled than any time in my life. On average the summers are not horrible temperature… https://t.co/Kk7Xc9XjBW
— Grandmaj (Judy) (@grandmaj2) December 27, 2024
Legal analyst Kenneth E. Belkin mocked, “The perfect grift. Taxing air. Most NY politicians are beyond corrupt and reaching spaceballs levels of absurdity. Cue the continuing flood of businesses out of the state of NY. Which means JOBS going bye bye. At some point, we are going to need to get serious and elect leaders in NY who actually understand how business works. #ClimateScam.”
The perfect grift. Taxing air. Most NY politicians are beyond corrupt and reaching spaceballs levels of absurdity. Cue the continuing flood of businesses out of the state of NY. Which means JOBS going bye bye. At some point, we are going to need to get serious and elect leaders… https://t.co/lsjzjyxBmY
— Kenneth E. Belkin, Esq. (@Kenneth_Belkin) December 26, 2024
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
Dennis Michael Lynch personal: www.X.com/TrustDML
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
