States sue New York over unconstitutional environmental fund

 Twenty-two states sued New York on Thursday, contending that a new law forcing a small group of major energy producers to pay $75 billion into a fund to cover climate change damage is unconstitutional.

 The lawsuit, filed in Albany, New York, names Attorney General Letitia James and other state officials as defendants. Messages seeking comment were sent to the defendants.

 The sun sets over the icy Hudson River in New York City, U.S., January 25. 2025. /VCG

 According to a release, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey led the coalition of states against New York's Climate Change Superfund Act, which requires payments for damage allegedly caused from 2000 to 2018.

 The law mandates that major fossil fuel companies contribute to the fund over the next quarter-century based on their past gas emissions.

 "This law is unconstitutional, and I am proud to lead this coalition of attorneys general, brave private energy companies, and industry groups in our fight to protect against this overreach," McCuskey said. "If we allow New York to get away with this, it will only be a matter of time before other states follow suit – wrecking our nation's power grid."