Trenton, NJ — Four more municipalities — Rochelle Park, Asbury Park, Franklin Township and Haddon Township — have passed formal resolutions in support of the NJ Climate Superfund Act, bringing the total to 11 in just the past two months. The bill, currently under consideration in the state legislature, would make the largest fossil fuel companies in the state pay for the damages caused by climate change.

The 11 municipalities that have formally expressed support are Jersey City, Hoboken, Parsippany, Red Bank, Teaneck, Maplewood, South Orange, Franklin Township, Haddon Township, Rochelle Park and Asbury Park. The Act has 25 co-sponsors in the state legislature, and successfully cleared a key Senate committee in December. As New Jersey experiences an increasing number of extreme weather events, funds from the NJ Superfund Act would help fund infrastructure projects to help the state become more resilient to flooding, extreme weather events and other climate impacts, and ensure major polluters, not everyday taxpayers, are responsible for those costs.

Superfund bills are rapidly gaining traction across the country, which are especially critical now as the Trump administration aggressively slashes funding for infrastructure and implements its pro-fossil fuel agenda. New York and Vermont have already passed state Superfund laws, with New York’s alone expected to raise $3 billion annually to offset the cost of climate change. California introduced its own Superfund bill last week.

“Momentum for the NJ Superfund Act is stronger than ever. Week after week, more cities are stepping up, demanding action,” said Matthew Smith, New Jersey State Director at Food & Water Watch. “State legislators and Governor Murphy need to listen. Communities are paying the price for climate change, and with the federal government failing us, New Jersey has the chance to lead — by making polluters pay, not the public.”