Minnesota Democrats Propose New Slush Fund To Bilk Energy Companies

Democratic Minnesota lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday aiming to create a climate “superfund” that would require large fossil fuel companies to pay fees for damages related to greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislation, called the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund Act, would force fossil fuel companies in Minnesota that have emitted at least 1 billion metric tons of carbon pollution since 1995 to shell out a fee for such emissions, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported on Thursday. Democratic Minnesota state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart and Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Athena Hollins introduced the bill.

However, the legislation is unlikely to pass due to Minnesota presently having a split state government this session, the outlet reported.

“I honestly don’t expect it to get passed this year. Our goal is to pass it next year,” Johnson Stewart told the Star Tribune in an interview. “This is obviously more of a Democrat bill.”

Johnson Stewart’s office and Hollins’ office each did not respond to the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Johnson Stewart also told the Star Tribune that any funds generated by the legislation could help Minnesota cities with financing public infrastructure projects such as upgrading sewer lines and culverts to handle increased rainfall and assisting homeowners cover the cost of roof repairs.