State and nonprofits ask federal courts to dismiss lawsuits against Climate Superfund Act

In a flurry of filings, state and nonprofit organizations have asked federal courts to dismiss lawsuits brought against Vermont’s Climate Superfund Act , a first of its kind law demanding fossil fuel companies pay for their pollution.

Those lawsuits, filed by the federal government , the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Petroleum Institute, a lobby for oil companies , and 24 red states led by West Virginia , claim the Vermont law interferes with federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and punishes fossil fuel companies while raising costs to consumers.

Last week, Vermont filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuits. The state argued the act does not conflict with federal law, regulate fossil fuel emissions or punish fossil fuel producers. Rather, it will look at the costs t