U.S. Chamber and Oil Firms Sue Vermont Over Climate Damage Law
A small tractor works to remove water from a business as floodwaters inundate a street in Barre, Vermont, on July 12, 2023. (Photo by Charles Krupa/AP) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with the American Petroleum Institute (API), has filed a federal lawsuit against Vermont. They are challenging the state’s groundbreaking law that requires fossil fuel companies to contribute financially to the damage caused by climate change over the past several decades. Oil Firms Sue Vermont Legal Battle Over Vermont’s Groundbreaking Law The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks to block Vermont from enforcing its new law passed in 2024. This law makes Vermont the first state to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate-related damages. It follows devastating summer floods and other extreme weather events linked to climate change. Vermont is currently assessing the cost of climate change impacts starting from January 1, 1995. The plaintiffs argue that the law infringes upon the U.S. Constitution. They claim that the federal Clean Air Act already regulates greenhouse gases. Additionally, they assert that the state law violates commerce clauses by targeting large energy companies outside Vermont. They believe it is unrealistic to measure the specific impact of emissions from individual companies over time, given the global nature of greenhouse gas emissions. Tara Morrissey, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber’s litigation center, criticized the law. She stated, “Vermont wants to impose massive retroactive penalties going back 30 years for lawful, out-of-state conduct that was regulated by Congress under the Clean Air Act.” Morrissey warned that the penalties would increase costs for consumers in Vermont and across the country. Vermont Defends Its Position Although the lawsuit has been filed, Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources has not yet been formally served. Anthony Iarrapino, a Vermont-based lobbyist with the Conservation Law Foundation, defended the law. He said the lawsuit represents the fossil fuel industry’s attempt to evade accountability for the damage their products caused. “More states are following Vermont’s lead in holding Big Oil accountable for disaster recovery and cleanup costs,” Iarrapino said. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with the American Petroleum Institute (API), has filed a federal lawsuit against Vermont. They are challenging the state’s groundbreaking law that requires fossil fuel companies to contribute financially to the damage caused by climate change over the past several decades. Oil Firms Sue Vermont Under Vermont’s law, the state treasurer, in consultation with the Agency of Natural Resources, will release a report by January 15, 2026. The report will assess the total costs to Vermont from greenhouse gas emissions between 1995 and 2024. It will cover impacts on public health, agriculture, natural resources, and infrastructure. The law adopts a polluter-pays approach. It targets companies involved in the extraction or refining of fossil fuels responsible for over 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Funds collected from these companies will be used to improve infrastructure and climate resilience, such as upgrading stormwater drainage, retrofitting buildings, and enhancing roads and bridges. A Growing Trend Among States Vermont’s law has inspired other states, including New York. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a similar bill into law. The New York law requires major greenhouse gas emitters to contribute to a state fund aimed at repairing and preventing future climate damage. This trend shows a growing movement among states to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the financial costs of climate change. For more on Vermont’s legal battle and the broader impact of state climate policies, visit JacobiJournal.com. To read further details, check out the original article from Bloomberg.
OSHA Targets New Jersey Contractor with $328K Fine for Fall Hazards
Alleged Repeat Fall Hazards Found at Three Worksites The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued significant penalties to RRC Home Improvement Inc., a New Jersey-based contractor, for repeated safety violations. Inspections at three worksites in North Jersey revealed workers were allegedly exposed to dangerous fall hazards due to inadequate safety measures. OSHA Inspections Uncover Safety Violations OSHA first inspected an RRC Home Improvement worksite in Dover in June 2024 after reports surfaced of employees working on a roof without fall protection. Following a warning about this safety issue, OSHA initiated further inspections in July 2024 at two additional RRC worksites in Lodi. At these sites, inspectors once again observed employees without proper fall protection. In addition to fall-related hazards, the inspections revealed other violations, including: These findings highlight serious lapses in workplace safety protocols. Severe Penalties Issued for Violations New Jersey Contractor: After completing the three inspections, OSHA cited RRC Home Improvement for four willful and seven serious violations. These citations resulted in proposed penalties totaling $328,545. The company has a 15-business-day window to respond by complying, requesting an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contesting the findings before OSHA’s independent review commission. Repeat Offender Added to Severe Violators Program This is not the first time RRC Home Improvement has faced scrutiny from OSHA. Since 2017, the agency has conducted five inspections and issued citations for failing to provide adequate fall protection. Due to the willful nature of these offenses, OSHA has now added the company to its severe violators program. About RRC Home Improvement Inc. RRC Home Improvement provides commercial roofing, specialty roofing, and residential roofing services across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Despite its regional presence, the company’s safety practices have repeatedly come under fire, underscoring the importance of strict compliance with federal workplace safety standards. Learn More About Workplace Safety To stay updated on workplace safety regulations and news, visit Jacobijournal.com, a trusted source for comprehensive legal and industry insights. For the full OSHA report on this case, visit the official OSHA website.
New Strategies for 2024 Asset Management
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2024 Federal Business Tax Update: Key Insights for Companies
2024 Federal Business Tax: As businesses prepare for the 2024 tax year, significant changes in federal tax laws may impact corporate strategies. Baker Tilly (Read the full article) provides a detailed overview of these updates, which include changes to deductions, credits, and compliance requirements. Key Updates for Businesses Preparing for 2024 Businesses can navigate these updates by: Why It Matters 2024 Federal Business Tax: Staying ahead of federal tax changes allows businesses to remain compliant while capitalizing on potential benefits. Proactive planning ensures a smoother transition into the new tax year. “Stay informed with key insights from the 2024 Federal Business Tax Update, offering important changes and strategies for companies.” For more updates on similar cases, visit Jacobi Journal.
2024 Individual Tax Update: Key Changes and Implications
2024 Individual Tax Update Key Updates for 2024 Planning Ahead To make the most of these updates: Why These Changes Matter Understanding the 2024 tax updates is essential for effective financial planning. Staying informed enables individuals to take advantage of new benefits while ensuring compliance with changing tax laws. Key Strategies for Implementation Why This Matters 2024 Individual Tax Update: Fraud investigations are inherently stressful, and trauma can compound the difficulty of obtaining reliable information. By adopting a trauma-informed approach, insurers can: Learn more about this innovative approach by exploring the full article on Insurance Fraud.org: Read More. For more updates on legal actions and regulatory news, visit Jacobi Journal.