ALBANY, NY (607NewsNow) — Governor Kathy Hochul wants to protect the environment.

“With nearly every record rainfall, heatwave, and coastal storm, New Yorkers are increasingly burdened with billions of dollars in health, safety, and environmental consequences due to polluters that have historically harmed our environment,” Governor Hochul said. “Establishing the Climate Superfund is the latest example of my administration taking action to hold polluters responsible for the damage done to our environment and requiring major investments in infrastructure and other projects critical to protecting our communities and economy.”

Calling it a ‘landmark,’ Hochul says the legislation creates a climate superfund which will move the costs of climate adaptation from New Yorkers to fossil fuel companies that she says are most responsible for pollution. “By creating a Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Program, this law ensures that these companies contribute to the funding of critical infrastructure investments, such as coastal protection and flood mitigation systems, to enhance the climate resilience of communities across the state,” state officials said.

Vanessa Fajans-Turner, a former Congressional contender who runs an environmental advocacy group, calls the superfund a pivotal step in ‘safeguarding New Yorker’s wallets and water.’