Senator McKeon Climate Superfund Statement
TRENTON – Senator John McKeon (D-Essex/Passaic) issued the following statement in response to a letter released by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO regarding consideration of the “Climate Superfund Act” during the lame-duck session:
"New Jersey is facing a very real affordability crisis, and one of the most urgent questions before us is how we pay to repair climate damage and build a stronger, more resilient state for the future.
"Communities across New Jersey are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, from stronger storms, extreme rainfall and flooding, record heatwaves, drought and worsening air pollution. These disasters continue to place a growing burden on New Jersey taxpayers, who are left footing the bill to repair and upgrade aging and insufficient infrastructure to address climate-related damage. That is not fair to working families across our state.
"At the same time, residents and businesses are facing rising electricity rates, which are being exacerbated by climate change and increased strain on our energy grid. The Climate Superfund Act will fund projects that strengthen grid reliability, improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs for utility ratepayers while protecting communities from extreme weather.
"Our brothers and sisters in organized labor will always have “a seat at the table” with any legislation that I sponsor. I stand ready to meet at their convenience, to discuss the merits of this legislation and how the Climate Superfund Act ensures that major polluters pay their fair share toward the growing costs of climate damage.
"This legislation would direct billions of dollars toward rebuilding and protecting New Jersey through infrastructure investments that will be built by union labor. It will create thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining union jobs while strengthening our communities against future climate disasters. The bill also includes strong Project Labor Agreement, apprenticeship and workforce development language to ensure these projects are built by skilled union workers.
"This legislation is fundamentally aligned with the long-term interests of working people across our state. I remain firmly committed to fighting for good union jobs with fair pay and strong benefits."
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Young people across New Jersey are organizing to deliver real affordability and real jobs for our brothers and sisters in organized labor. From the start, we have worked intentionally to ensure the Climate Superfund Act reflects labor priorities, including strong Project Labor Agreement language in the amended bill so these investments create good, union jobs with fair pay, benefits, and apprenticeship pathways.
That commitment is reflected in the growing list of labor organizations that have signed on in support of this legislation, including:
New Jersey Education Association
SEIU 1199
SEIU 32BJ
Communications Workers of America District 1
Hudson County Central Labor Council AFL CIO
Middlesex Somerset Central Labor Council AFL CIO
New Labor
Comité de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas CATA
AFSCME Local 107
CWA Local 1036
CWA Local 1037
CWA Local 1038
CWA Local 1081
Rutgers AAUP AFT
Union of Rutgers Administrators AFT Local 1766
IFPTE Local 194
IFPTE Local 195
These unions represent workers across education, healthcare, communications, public service, and higher education, all united around a simple principle: working families should not be left paying the price for climate damage caused by major corporate polluters.
Momentum continues to build across New Jersey. West New York and Hopewell Township have passed municipal resolutions in support of the Climate Superfund Act, joining a growing list of over 60 local governments demanding climate accountability and investment. At the state level, Senator Raj Mukherji of LD32 in Hudson County has signed on as a third prime sponsor, further strengthening legislative leadership behind this bill.
Together with dozens of legislators, labor leaders, municipal officials, and young people across the state, we are ready to deliver real affordability, resilient infrastructure, and thousands of good union jobs for New Jersey communities.
