Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proved over the weekend that her party will engage in whatever antics it needs to, even if that means dodging questions about Hunter Biden while hypocritically shredding former President Donald Trump as a "convicted felon." Whitmer appeared on a segment of CNN's "State of the...

Pro-Palestinian protesters vandalized multiple statues in Lafayette Park across from the White House on Saturday, but no arrests were made, offering another stark contrast between President Joe Biden's and former President Donald Trump's administrations. Among the statues damaged were those of Revolutionary War heroes Marquis de Lafayette and French Gen....

The Biden administration told the U.S. Border Patrol on Friday to admit, rather than remove, migrants from nearly all Eastern Hemisphere countries. That’s contrary to Biden’s Tuesday ban on asylum seekers attempting to enter the country beyond a total 2,500 per day, according to The Washington Examiner. The Bidenistas even...

In 1902, the Rev. Edgar J. Helms started Goodwill, which embodied a philosophy of empowerment through work. Helms was deeply concerned about the plight of immigrants and the urban poor who struggled to find work and support their families. His idea was to collect used goods from the wealthy areas...

Non-white voters have abandoned President Joe Biden in such large numbers that even the establishment media has begun to notice. Monday morning on "CNN News Central" with co-anchor John Berman, CNN Senior Political Data Reporter Harry Enten reacted to polling data from 2020 and 2024 that showed a 20-point swing...

June 11, 2024

A mob of rowdy Jew-hating protesters chanted “Long Live the Intifada” and “Israel Go to Hell” during a depraved celebration Monday night outside a downtown Manhattan exhibit that memorializes the murder and rape victims of the Oct. 7th Nova Music Festival where 364 people were slaughtered by Hamas terrorists. NY Post (h/t Nita) The deranged […]

Can this get worse than Biden's $6 billion Iran hostage deal? The post What Will Biden Offer Hamas in Hostage Deal? appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

At some point, people will stop eating and learn to love Bidenomics. The post Biden Allies: Why Won’t Americans Stop Complaining About the Cost of Food appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

Vermont became the first state in the United States to enact legislation mandating fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change-related losses. This unprecedented legislation comes after a string of disastrous weather disasters, including severe floods last summer, that wreaked havoc on the state’s infrastructure and communities. Despite his reservations, Republican Governor Phil Scott permitted the bill to pass without his signature. In a letter to lawmakers, Scott emphasized his concerns about the financial and legal repercussions of this enormous project. “I understand the desire to seek funding to mitigate the effects of climate change that has hurt our state in so many ways,” Scott wrote, emphasizing the need to address climate change’s rising toll on Vermont. A state suffering from natural disasters Vermont’s recent experiences with harsh weather highlight the importance of this new law. Last July, torrential rains caused major flooding in Montpelier, Barre, and other southern municipalities, resulting in significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The catastrophe was compared to the state’s biggest natural disaster since a 1927 flood that killed hundreds and caused enormous destruction. The rebuilding effort has been slow and costly, with many businesses just now reopening and homeowners still dealing with flood-damaged houses as winter approaches. Legislation: a polluter-pays model The new law requires Vermont’s state treasurer, in collaboration with the Agency of Natural Resources, to report by January 15, 2026, on the overall expenditures incurred by Vermonters and the state as a result of greenhouse gas emissions from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2024. This comprehensive study will look at the effects on public health, natural resources, agriculture, economic development, housing, and other areas. Federal data will be utilized to assign the covered greenhouse gas emissions to specific fossil fuel firms. The law uses a polluter-pays model, focusing on corporations that extract fossil fuels or refine crude oil and are accountable for more than one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the stipulated period. These corporations’ cash could be used for a variety of initiatives, such as updating stormwater drainage systems, strengthening infrastructure, retrofitting sewage treatment plants, and increasing building energy efficiency. This concept was inspired by the federal Superfund program, which is aimed at cleaning up pollutants. “For too long, giant fossil fuel companies have knowingly lit the match of climate disruption without being required to do a thing to put out the fire,” said Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. “Finally, maybe for the first time anywhere, Vermont is going to hold the companies most responsible for climate-driven floods, fires, and heat waves financially accountable for a fair share of the damages they’ve caused.” Opposition in the oil industry The oil and gas industry has strongly opposed the proposal. The American Petroleum Institute (API), the industry’s major lobbying group, has expressed significant opposition, claiming that the law imposes unjustified retroactive costs and obligations. “This punitive new fee represents yet another step in a coordinated campaign to undermine America’s energy advantage and the economic and national security benefits it provides,” said API spokesman Scott Lauermann. Legal challenges and future implications Vermont lawmakers are bracing for the inevitable legal fights that will follow. Governor Scott has raised concerns about the financial cost and potential implications if Vermont’s efforts are unsuccessful. Nonetheless, bill supporters, including State Representative Martin LaLonde, believe the law has a solid legal foundation. “Most importantly, the stakes are too high – and the costs too steep for Vermonters – to release corporations that caused the mess from their obligation to help clean it up,” LaLonde emphasized. A model for other states Vermont’s trailblazing approach may motivate other states to take similar steps. Already, states such as Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York are exploring similar laws. As the effects of climate change worsen, the call for accountability from large polluters is gaining traction. Vermont’s new law is a big step toward holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in climate change. By addressing the financial burden of climate-related harm, the state hopes to reduce future risks and establish a precedent for environmental responsibility. The success of this daring program may pave the way for larger efforts across the country to confront the climate catastrophe full-on.The post Big Oil to pay for climate change damages in Vermont first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.