Trenton, NJ — With over 30 municipalities now on board, New Jersey has passed another milestone in the growing push for the Climate Superfund Act — landmark legislation that would hold the biggest fossil fuel companies financially responsible for the mounting costs of climate change. As New Jersey fights one of its worst wildfires in its history, the need for legislation that fully funds the Forest Fire Service and broader climate resiliency efforts — paid for by the polluters responsible for increasingly severe weather events — has never been more clear.

“Ensuring a clean and healthy environment for future generations is a responsibility we all share,” said Maple Shade Mayor Heather Talarico. “The NJ Climate Superfund Act is a crucial step in holding polluters accountable and investing in our communities’ resilience. I’m proud to support this legislation and stand with residents in protecting our environment and public health.”

“I supported this resolution because the reality is simple — climate change is already costing towns like Morristown millions in damages and repairs,” said Morristown Councilman Steve Pylypchuk. “As a civil engineer, I have seen firsthand how much strain extreme weather puts on our infrastructure, from flooding streets to overburdened drainage systems. If we do nothing, that burden will fall heavier on our residents every year. The Climate Superfund Act moves us in a better direction by finally putting the responsibility on those who caused the damage and giving towns the resources we need to rebuild smarter and protect our communities for the future.”

“With the passage of this resolution, Springfield has joined scores of other municipalities in urging our elected representatives in Trenton to pass the Climate Superfund Act,” said Springfield Committeeman Alex Keiser. “It’s common sense that the largest fossil fuel companies should fund the resiliency projects our communities now require due to the effects of climate change. President Trump may call these laws ‘extortion of fossil fuel companies,’ but I call it protecting the interests of the taxpayer. Between 2011 and 2024, extreme weather events have cost New Jersey taxpayers more than $7.9 billion. We need a solution, and the fairest one is to make the companies that contributed to this crisis pay.”

“Local leaders across New Jersey are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, seeing the damage to their communities with their own eyes. It takes real courage for towns big and small to stand up to some of the most powerful corporations on the planet and demand they pay for the mess they’ve made,” said Matthew Smith, New Jersey State Director at Food & Water Watch. “These actions send a clear message to legislators and Governor Murphy that New Jersey is ready for bold action to protect our communities — and to ensure the fossil fuel industry, not taxpayers, foots the bill.”

The NJ Climate Superfund Act, modeled off similar laws in New York and Vermont, would empower the state to collect on damages caused by fossil fuel companies who do business in the state. As New Jersey experiences an increasing number of extreme weather events, funds would help pay for infrastructure projects to help the state become more resilient to flooding, extreme weather events and other climate impacts.

The 33 municipalities that have formally expressed support are Jersey City, Edison, Franklin Township, Hoboken, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Bloomfield, Monroe, Hackensack, North Brunswick, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Long Branch, Livingston, Rahway, Maplewood, Lyndhurst, Morristown, Maple Shade, South Orange, Weehawken, Springfield, Madison, Haddon Township, Asbury Park, Highland Park, Red Bank, Woolwich, Ridgefield, Leonia, Bogota, Rochelle Park, Atlantic Highlands and Swedesboro.