For press inquiries, please contact Campaign Co-Lead Dan Zackin at [email protected].

PRESS RELEASE: Quincy City Council Unanimously Supports Resolution to Make Polluters Pay

House Speaker Mariano’s Hometown Urges Urgent Funding to Protect from Climate Damages

QUINCY – Monday, April 27, the Quincy City Council voted unanimously to support a resolution to support the Climate Superfund Bill (S.588/H.1014). Quincy joins 11 Massachusetts municipalities in the effort to hold big oil and gas companies accountable for damages caused. As a coastal and environmental justice community, the city stands to see much-needed funding if the bill should pass. Projects could include shoreline stabilization, coastal defenses, mitigation of the urban heat island, air quality monitoring and improvement, and more. Several Quincy residents spoke in support of the resolution filed by Councilor McKee with Councillors Hubley, Ash, Jacobs, Riley, and Ryan. S.588 has also been cosponsored by Quincy Senator Keenan.

“When we are looking at sources of funding and the people and groups who need to take civic responsibility seriously, holding the oil and gas industry accountable for their pollution is to me one of the most responsible and respectable courses of action a body like this can take,” said Quincy resident Heather Doney. “Because the bill is crafted to focus on money the oil and gas industry has already made, it’s not something regular people will be paying for at the pump.  

When we are looking for resources to improve our urban forests, parks, and waterways, this is the way to do it. I’m proud to see this resolution supported by our city council.”

“We need to hold responsible those who have caused the most damage,” said Quincy Climate Action Network Board Member Gina Favata. “Our coastal city is in a very vulnerable position and will be on the front lines of climate change. This bill is a way to protect ourselves. The flooding and heat and “once in a lifetime” climate events will only become more frequent. Historic storms will become mundane. The Climate Superfund bill will provide us the funds to adapt our infrastructure and to shore up our defenses. This is a total win!”

“Our campaign is grateful to Councilor McKee and her colleagues for joining the push for accountability,” said Dan Zackin, Legislative Manager with 350 Mass. “While federal legislators push to give Big Oil a get out of jail free card, leaders on the frontlines of climate impacts are demanding accountability. We hope the State Legislature will join us next session to make polluters pay their fair share.”

The bill in the MA legislature introduced by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Steve Owens, and Rep. Jack Lewis, and requires the biggest carbon emitters to contribute to a Superfund to pay for climate-related damages in Massachusetts. Fossil fuel companies have knowingly endangered our world for decades, putting our lives and livelihoods at risk. They should be responsible for the costs, not taxpayers. The Climate Adaptation Superfund to provide funding for climate adaptation projects across the Commonwealth, directly benefiting cities and towns.

• The bill will generate billions of dollars over 25 years from the profits of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters.
• The Superfund will support climate change adaptation projects statewide, with 40% of the funding directly benefiting environmental justice communities.
• The bill mandates that large projects supported by the superfund make use of apprenticeship programs, abide by prevailing wage requirements, and treat workers according to fair labor standards.
• Both Vermont and New York successfully passed Climate Superfund bills in 2024, setting a powerful precedent for Massachusetts to join. 

While the bill was unfortunately sent to study by the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the campaign is eager to reintroduce the bill in January.

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