New York cannot enforce $75 billion climate 'superfund' law, US judge rules

A federal judge on Monday barred New York from enforcing its Climate Change Superfund Act, a law designed to collect $75 billion from major fossil-fuel companies over 25 years for climate-adaptation projects. Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes in Syracuse ruled that the measure is preempted by federal law, siding with 22 Republican-led states and industry groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Sannes said the federal Clean Air Act does not authorize states to impose emissions-compensation schemes of this kind and that climate policy requires national standards and global participation. New York enacted the law in December 2024 and amended it in February 2025, extending the covered emissions period through 2024 and delaying implementation. The Justice Department separately challenged the law under the Trump administration. New York officials said they were reviewing the ruling. The decision could affect climate-superfund litigation in Vermont and elsewhere, and future state climate policy.