Tell Congress to Make Polluters Pay for Climate Chaos

Encouraging new legislation in Congress would make the largest fossil fuel companies pay for the damage that their products and actions have caused. The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act would require large polluters to contribute to a $1 trillion fund over ten years, based on their past carbon emissions. The fund will be used to address the impacts of climate change, including rebuilding infrastructure, cleaning up pollution in frontline communities, and providing disaster assistance.

For over 60 years, fossil fuel companies have known about their role in driving climate change but have done little to address it. Now, extreme weather events cost the United States at least $150 billion each year, with underserved communities bearing the brunt of these impacts. Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods are becoming more intense and more frequent, destroying homes, roads, and power grids. Without urgent action, these costs will only continue to rise, forcing taxpayers to foot the bill.

The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act ensures that those most responsible for creating the climate crisis pay the most to address its harmful impacts. This approach is modeled after the Superfund law, which successfully held polluters accountable for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. By requiring fossil fuel giants to pay for the damage they caused, this legislation will reduce the financial burden on the government and taxpayers, allowing public funds to be spent on other urgent needs. Further, it will reduce insurance costs to homeowners by shifting the repair costs away from those companies and onto polluters.

Without this bill, the American people will continue to bear the overwhelming costs of climate disasters through higher taxes, insurance rates, and emergency relief spending. By requiring the fossil fuel companies that profited from pollution to pay for the damages they caused, we can protect people and save billions in public funds. Investing in climate resilience today will prevent even greater economic losses in the future.

Importantly, this legislation is designed to prevent companies from passing these costs onto consumers. The tax assessment is based on past activity and does not impact ongoing production costs. And collusion by covered companies to raise prices would be illegal under antitrust laws.

By passing the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act, Congress can take a significant step toward addressing the climate crisis and ensuring a healthier, more just future for all Americans. Please sign the petition to ask Congress to pass this important legislation into law.