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New York Gov. Signs Bill to Hold Climate Polluters Accountable But Vetoes Anti-Deforestation Bill

Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act, requiring fossil fuel companies to pay $75 billion over 25 years for climate damage repair and resilience programs. The legislation is hailed as a significant step toward holding corporate polluters accountable and advancing climate justice. However, Hochul vetoed the TREES Act, which would have mandated that New York ensure state purchases do not contribute to deforestation, a measure that would have been the first of its kind in the U.S. Environmental advocates expressed disappointment, emphasizing the importance of anti-deforestation efforts alongside climate accountability measures.

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