Every time a climate disaster hits, we see the same story: Families lose homes, roads are washed out, crops are destroyed, insurance rates spike and taxpayers foot the bill — all while oil and gas companies rake in profits. That is not right.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Climate superfund legislation — already law in Vermont and New York — would require the fossil fuel companies most responsible for this crisis to pay their fair share for the damage they knowingly caused. Instead of taxpayers shouldering the cost, the companies that profited from creating this mess would help fund the rebuilding of roads, homes, schools and critical infrastructure.

That’s why I’m calling on local elected officials to support legislation to hold polluters accountable. It’s about fairness, because “if you break it, you should buy it.” Maine is on the cusp of helping to making this happen.

Gary McGrane
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