Two Rhode Island lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would require the largest fossil fuel companies to pay for climate-related damage already affecting the state’s infrastructure, public health and economy.
Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa, D-Portsmouth, and Rep. Jennifer Boylan, D-Barrington, are sponsoring the bills (2025-S 2024, 2025-H 7004), which follow a cost-recovery model similar to laws already enacted in New York and Vermont.
“For decades, fossil fuel companies have collected enormous profits and government subsidies while Rhode Islanders have paid — and continue to pay — for the harms their products have caused,” Boylan said.
Under the legislation, the Department of Environmental Management would calculate documented climate-related costs already incurred by the state and municipalities, including damage from flooding, storms, coastal erosion and extreme heat. Only large fossil fuel corporations with significant historical responsibility for climate harm would be subject to cost recovery, and collected funds would be legally restricted to climate damage response, infrastructure protection and public safety.
“Like Big Tobacco, the fossil fuel industry knew its products caused harm, hid the truth, delayed action, and pushed the costs onto consumers and taxpayers,” Ujifusa said. “Accountability is long overdue.”
Jeff Migneault, executive director of Climate Action Rhode Island, voiced support for the measure.
“It is a concept that has successfully been used in multiple federal hazardous waste Superfund cases: polluters should pay their fair share of the clean-up bill,” Migneault said.
“These costs are real and ongoing,” Boylan said. “The only question is whether taxpayers keep paying them alone.”
Both sponsors will take part in an event supporting the bill Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. in the Senate Lounge on the second floor of the State House. The event, which includes light refreshments, will be hosted by Climate Action Rhode Island, Rhode Island Citizens Climate Lobby, Environment Council of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Student Climate Coalition.