Trenton, NJ – In the wake of an unprecedented heatwave and violent storms over the holiday long weekend, at least 25 heat-related deaths have been confirmed throughout New Jersey. In addition, more than 300,000 homes in the state lost power over the weekend due to the extreme weather conditions. 

Meanwhile, just last week the state Assembly failed to act on the Polluters Pay Act, legislation that would require the world’s largest polluters to pay $50 billion over 20 years for new infrastructure and services to make the state more resilient against increasingly dangerous weather driven by climate change. For now, taxpayers and ratepayers will continue to cover the full cost of worsening floods, extreme heat, and severe storms through higher property taxes, utility bills, and insurance premiums.

In response, Food & Water Watch’s New Jersey State Director Matt Smith issued the following statement:

“The tragic loss of life in our state over the weekend is a direct result of a rapidly destabilizing climate. And our perilous climate condition is a direct result of pollution by the world’s largest fossil fuel corporations. By delaying passage of the Polluters Pay to Make NJ More Affordable Act, state lawmakers are forcing taxpayers and ratepayers to pay 100% of the billions in costs caused by climate change – costs that families and businesses are both paying.

“Extreme heat alone has cost New Jersey more than $108 billion since 1991. And right now New Jerseyans are not only paying from their pockets, they’re paying with their lives. This bill dedicates $625 million annually to build a more resilient energy grid, more reliable transportation and transit and clean water upgrades – as well as $125 million annually to health care, schools, housing, agriculture and food security, and workforce development to help our state adapt to our changing climate.  

“Lawmakers can continue pushing the extreme heat, flooding and severe storm costs to New Jersey taxpayers, or they can pass common-sense legislation requiring the companies most responsible to pay their fair share.”