![The Vermont Legislature passed a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for damages that are caused by climate change.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Vermont-Climate-Change-Featured-Image-Getty.jpg?w=1920)
New Vermont law requires oil companies pay for climate change damage
By Lauren Taylor (Reporter), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)
The state of Vermont is breaking new ground by taking on the oil industry. The state passed a bill requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for damages that are caused by climate change. Vermont is the first state in the U.S. to make such a move.
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‘Game-changing’: Vermont becomes first state to require big oil to pay for climate damages
Click to see story on The GuardianVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on abc NewsIn historic move, Vermont becomes 1st state to pass law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change damages
Click to see story on CBS NewsVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Coast ReporterVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Sask TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Flin Flon ReminderVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Star TribuneVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain OutlookVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on SooToday.comVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Barrie TodayVermont becomes 1st state to charge oil companies for extreme weather damage
Click to see story on Mass LiveVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change – Boston News, Weather, Sports
Click to see story on WHDHAfter catastrophic floods, Vermont becomes first state to enact law requiring oil companies to pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on PBS NewsHourVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Virginian PilotVermont passes law requiring oil firms to pay for climate-related damages
Click to see story on WCSHVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesVermont set to become first state in the nation to ‘make big oil pay’
Click to see story on VT DiggerVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on KVIAVermont becomes first state to require oil companies to pay for climate change damage
Click to see story on The HillVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free PressVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WPLGVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Pioneer PressVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WKMGVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Click on DetroitVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on San Diego Union TribuneVermont enacts law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on NY1Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WCBDVt. becomes 1st state requiring oil companies to pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WCAX-TVVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)Vermont becomes first US state to make Big Oil pay for climate damagesFinancial Times
Click to see story on Financial TimesVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Daily FreemanVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Chico Enterprise-RecordVermont passes law requiring oil firms to pay for climate-related damages
Click to see story on WBIRLandmark Vermont ‘climate superfund’ law would make polluters pay for climate change
Click to see story on The Christian Science MonitorVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WATEVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Times-StandardVermont Bill to Make Big Oil Pay for Climate Crisis Becomes Law
Click to see story on Seven DaysVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Red Bluff Daily NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Pottstown MercuryVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Sentinel and EnterpriseVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Times HeraldVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Financial PostVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on MY NorthwestVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Boston HeraldVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on NECNVermont Makes Big Oil Pay for Climate Change Damage in Landmark Law
Click to see story on Oil PriceVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Odessa AmericanRight
Untracked Bias
Vermont becomes first state to require oil firms pay for climate change damage
Click to see story on Shropshire StarVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on My Mother LodeVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Airdrie City ViewVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Orillia MattersVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Midland TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Thorold TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Tribune ChronicleVermont takes bold steps to combat climate change
Click to see story on EHNVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Nashoba Valley VoiceVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Bradford TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Timmins TodayVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on thealbertan.comThis bill comes nearly one year after Vermont suffered catastrophic flooding, which washed out roads and bridges, caused mudslides, and resulted in consequential property loss of homes and businesses.
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“For too long, giant fossil fuel companies have knowingly lit the match of climate disruption without being required to do a thing to put out the fire,” Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), said. “Finally, maybe for the first time anywhere, Vermont is going to hold the companies most responsible for climate-driven floods, fires and heat waves financially accountable for a fair share of the damages they’ve caused.”
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, R, allowed the bill to become law without his signature. He said that though he understands the desire to seek payments from oil companies, he’s concerned.
“Taking on ‘Big Oil’ should not be taken lightly,” Scott wrote in a letter to the General Assembly. “And with just $600,000 appropriated by the legislature to complete an analysis that will need to withstand intense legal scrutiny from a well-funded defense, we are not positioning ourselves for success.”
The law requires the Vermont state treasurer to provide a report by January 2026 on the cost of greenhouse gases on the state from Jan. 1, 1995, to Dec. 31, 2024.
The state will create a “Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program” which would fine “responsible parties” and use the revenue for climate change projects. Those projects could include updating roads, bridges and railroads, upgrading stormwater systems and sewage treatment plants, and more.
The American Petroleum Institute responded in a statement. The Vermont law “retroactively imposes costs and liability on prior activities that were legal, violates equal protection and due process rights by holding companies responsible for the actions of society at large; and is preempted by federal law.”
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Though Vermont is the first in the nation to pass this kind of law, New York, Massachusetts and Maryland are all considering similar legislation.
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
THE STATE OF VERMONT IS BREAKING NEW GROUND — TAKING ON THE OIL INDUSTRY.
THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL REQUIRING FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES TO PAY FOR DAMAGES THEY SAY ARE CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE. THE FIRST STATE IN THE U-S TO MAKE SUCH A MOVE.
THIS – NEARLY ONE YEAR AFTER VERMONT SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC FLOODING – WHICH WASHED OUT ROADS AND BRIDGES, CAUSED MUDSLIDES, AND RESULTED IN CONSEQUENTIAL PROPERTY LOSS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES.
[PAUL BURNS]
“For too long, giant fossil fuel companies have knowingly lit the match of climate disruption without being required to do a thing to put out the fire,” said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). “Finally, maybe for the first time anywhere, Vermont is going to hold the companies most responsible for climate-driven floods, fires and heat waves financially accountable for a fair share of the damages they’ve caused.”
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
VERMONT REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR -PHIL SCOTT- ALLOWED THE BILL TO BECOME LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE – SAYING THOUGH HE UNDERSTANDS THE DESIRE TO SEEK PAYMENTS FROM OIL COMPANIES, HE’S CONCERNED.
[PHIL SCOTT]
“Taking on ‘Big Oil’ should not be taken lightly. And with just $600,000 appropriated by the Legislature to complete an analysis that will need to withstand intense legal scrutiny from a well-funded defense, we are not positioning ourselves for success.” SCOTT WROTE IN A LETTER TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
THE LAW REQUIRES THE VERMONT STATE TREASURER TO PROVIDE A REPORT BY JANUARY 2026 – ON THE COST OF GREENHOUSE GASSES ON THE STATE FROM JANUARY 1ST 1995 TO DECEMBER 31ST 2024.
THE STATE WILL CREATE A “CLIMATE SUPERFUND COST RECOVERY PROGRAM” WHICH WOULD FINE SO-CALLED “RESPONSIBLE PARTIES” AND USE THE REVENUE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTS.
THOSE PROJECTS COULD INCLUDE UPDATING ROADS, BRIDGES AND RAILROADS, UPGRADING STORMWATER SYSTEMS AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, AMONG OTHERS.
THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE RESPONDED IN A STATEMENT SAYING THE VERMONT LAW “RETROACTIVELY IMPOSES COSTS AND LIABILITY ON PRIOR ACTIVITIES THAT WERE LEGAL, VIOLATES EQUAL PROTECTION AND DUE PROCESS RIGHTS BY HOLDING COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF SOCIETY AT LARGE; AND IS PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW.”
THOUGH VERMONT IS THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO PASS THIS KIND OF LAW, NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS AND MARYLAND ARE ALL CONSIDERING SIMILAR LEGISLATION.
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Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
‘Game-changing’: Vermont becomes first state to require big oil to pay for climate damages
Click to see story on The GuardianVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on abc NewsIn historic move, Vermont becomes 1st state to pass law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change damages
Click to see story on CBS NewsVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Coast ReporterVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Sask TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Flin Flon ReminderVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Star TribuneVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain OutlookVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on SooToday.comVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Barrie TodayVermont becomes 1st state to charge oil companies for extreme weather damage
Click to see story on Mass LiveVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change – Boston News, Weather, Sports
Click to see story on WHDHAfter catastrophic floods, Vermont becomes first state to enact law requiring oil companies to pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on PBS NewsHourVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Virginian PilotVermont passes law requiring oil firms to pay for climate-related damages
Click to see story on WCSHVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesVermont set to become first state in the nation to ‘make big oil pay’
Click to see story on VT DiggerVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on KVIAVermont becomes first state to require oil companies to pay for climate change damage
Click to see story on The HillVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free PressVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WPLGVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Pioneer PressVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WKMGVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Click on DetroitVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on San Diego Union TribuneVermont enacts law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on NY1Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WCBDVt. becomes 1st state requiring oil companies to pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WCAX-TVVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)Vermont becomes first US state to make Big Oil pay for climate damagesFinancial Times
Click to see story on Financial TimesVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Daily FreemanVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Chico Enterprise-RecordVermont passes law requiring oil firms to pay for climate-related damages
Click to see story on WBIRLandmark Vermont ‘climate superfund’ law would make polluters pay for climate change
Click to see story on The Christian Science MonitorVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on WATEVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Times-StandardVermont Bill to Make Big Oil Pay for Climate Crisis Becomes Law
Click to see story on Seven DaysVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Red Bluff Daily NewsVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Pottstown MercuryVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Sentinel and EnterpriseVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on The Times HeraldVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Financial PostVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on MY NorthwestVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Boston HeraldVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on NECNVermont Makes Big Oil Pay for Climate Change Damage in Landmark Law
Click to see story on Oil PriceVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Odessa AmericanRight
Untracked Bias
Vermont becomes first state to require oil firms pay for climate change damage
Click to see story on Shropshire StarVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on My Mother LodeVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Airdrie City ViewVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Orillia MattersVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Midland TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Thorold TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Tribune ChronicleVermont takes bold steps to combat climate change
Click to see story on EHNVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Nashoba Valley VoiceVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Bradford TodayVermont becomes 1st state to require oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Click to see story on Timmins TodayVermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
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