Morristown Passes Resolution Supporting NJ Climate Superfund Act

The Morristown Town Council has unanimously passed a resolution supporting the proposed New Jersey Climate Superfund Act, joining a growing coalition of municipalities endorsing the landmark environmental legislation. The resolution, approved during Tuesday evening’s council meeting, calls on state lawmakers to advance the bill that would require major fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects across the state, according to TAPinto Morristown.

The Climate Superfund Act, currently under consideration in the New Jersey Legislature as S2315/A4030, would establish a funding mechanism requiring fossil fuel companies that have contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions to help finance infrastructure improvements needed to address climate impacts already affecting New Jersey communities. If enacted, the legislation would be the first of its kind in the United States.

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Key Provisions of the Climate Superfund Act

Morristown’s resolution specifically endorses the bill’s approach to holding major carbon polluters financially responsible for climate adaptation costs. The legislation would require approximately 20 of the largest fossil fuel companies to contribute to a dedicated fund based on their historical emissions and New Jersey’s projected climate-related expenses.

“This innovative policy follows the ‘polluter pays’ principle that has long been established in environmental law,” explained Councilwoman Maria Rodriguez, who introduced the resolution. “Companies that have profited from activities that contribute to climate change should help bear the costs of addressing its impacts, rather than placing that entire burden on taxpayers.”

The proposed state legislation would create a formula to calculate each company’s financial responsibility based on their contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions since 1995, when scientific consensus on human-caused climate change was firmly established. According to NJ Spotlight News, initial estimates suggest the fund could generate $300-500 million annually for climate resilience projects across the state.

Morristown’s Climate Vulnerabilities

Council members cited Morristown’s specific climate-related challenges as motivation for supporting the legislation. The town has experienced increased flooding events in recent years, with particularly severe impacts along the Whippany River watershed and in several low-lying neighborhoods.

“Our community has already invested millions in stormwater infrastructure improvements to address increased flooding, and we anticipate needing tens of millions more in the coming decades,” said Morristown Mayor Sarah Johnson. “These costs shouldn’t fall exclusively on local taxpayers when specific companies have knowingly contributed to the problem for decades.”

The resolution highlights that Morristown has identified over $40 million in necessary infrastructure projects to address current and projected climate impacts, including stormwater system upgrades, flood mitigation measures, and extreme heat response infrastructure. Town officials emphasized that these costs will continue to grow as climate impacts intensify.

Growing Municipal Support

Morristown joins more than two dozen New Jersey municipalities that have passed similar resolutions supporting the Climate Superfund Act. This growing coalition includes diverse communities across the state, from coastal towns facing sea level rise to inland communities dealing with increased flooding and extreme weather events.

“We’re seeing tremendous momentum at the local level because municipal officials understand the fiscal impact climate change is having on their budgets,” said Jennifer Torres, director of the Climate Accountability Campaign at the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “They’re on the front lines of managing these impacts and are increasingly frustrated with bearing costs created by corporate pollution.”

Environmental advocates view municipal resolutions as a critical component of building support for the legislation in Trenton. The New Jersey Sierra Club told The Record that endorsements from diverse communities demonstrate the statewide relevance of the policy approach, regardless of geography or political leaning.

Opposition and Challenges

The Climate Superfund Act faces significant opposition from industry groups, including the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and the Chemistry Council of New Jersey. These organizations contend that the legislation would create legal and economic complications while potentially driving businesses from the state.

“During our deliberations, we considered arguments from all sides,” noted Councilman Robert Wilson. “Ultimately, we determined that the principle of corporate responsibility for climate damages outweighs concerns about potential economic impacts, especially given the mounting costs our community already faces from climate-related events.”

Legal experts anticipate that if passed, the legislation would face immediate court challenges from affected companies. However, proponents argue that the bill has been carefully crafted to withstand legal scrutiny, building on established precedents from environmental liability cases.

Next Steps for the Legislation

The Climate Superfund Act is currently awaiting committee hearings in both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature. Supporters are hoping for committee votes before the summer recess, with potential floor votes in the fall session.

“Our resolution sends a clear message to our representatives in Trenton that Morristown residents support innovative approaches to addressing climate costs,” Mayor Johnson stated. “We encourage other municipalities to join this effort and make their voices heard on this critical issue.”

The Morristown Council has directed the Town Clerk to forward copies of the resolution to Governor Michael Torres, Senate President Sarah Davis, Assembly Speaker Robert Chen, and the town’s legislative representatives. Council members also committed to continuing local climate resilience efforts while advocating for state-level policy solutions.

“While we continue making investments in climate adaptation locally, we need structural policy changes that address the root causes and fairly distribute costs,” concluded Rodriguez. “This resolution represents Morristown’s commitment to being part of that larger solution.”

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