(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - United University Professions (UUP) has joined nearly 250 Labor, Environmental And Faith-Based Groups in asking Governor Kathy Hochul to include the Climate Change Superfund Act in the next State Budget and hold major Oil Companies financially responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.

UUP President Fred Kowal was one of dozens of supporters of this effort to speak last week at a press conference that was held outside of the State Capitol in Albany, which was organized by the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG).

Fred Floss, who serves as President of the UUP Buffalo State Chapter, spoke at a related press conference that was held in Buffalo on the same day (Friday, October 6th).

In addition, the Coalition hosted a press conference on Long Island the same day as well.

“We have seen time and time again that the climate crisis is here,” Kowal said. “The time is now to ensure the companies that have been polluting our State pay their fair share to address the crisis they have created.  New York needs the Climate Change Superfund Act this year.”

A Bill on the Climate Change Superfund Act was passed by the State Senate in the last legislative session, but has not passed in the Assembly.

The Bill would raise $3 billion annually from apportioned fees on major Oil Companies that emitted more than one billion tons of greenhouse gases in the State.

The NYPIRG Coalition has sent a letter to the Governor urging inclusion of the Superfund Act in the State Budget.

Based on NYPIRG research, Hochul has pledged $2.7 billion in State and Federal Funds since August 2022 to address climate change in the State.

The money is going toward 40 projects, including such efforts as helping New York farms deal with climate change, monitoring air quality in disadvantaged communities, shoring up vulnerable bridges and reducing flood hazards.

UUP’s support for the Climate Change Superfund Act is a natural extension of the Union’s long-standing concern about the environment and climate change, said Kowal - who told supporters at the news conference: “Unions have become important allies of the Environmental Movement and UUP is proud to be part of this trend.  A guiding principle in Unions is ‘an injury to one is an injury to all.’  This does not just hold for Workers in a factory or a mine or a hospital or a classroom.  It is also the case for anyone who lives on planet Earth today.”