West Virginia's attorney general said on Thursday he has sued New York state over a new law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years into a state fund that will pay for damage caused by climate change.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York was sued on Thursday by 22 other U.S. states over a new law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years into a fund that will pay for damage caused by climate change.

West Virginia and nearly two dozen other states sued New York over plans to charge fossil fuel companies $75 billion for climate change damage, saying the measure is an unconstitutional “slippery slope.

West Virginia and nearly two dozen other states are suing to block a New York climate law that requires fossil fuel companies to pay $75 billion over 25 years to mitigate damage from future climate disasters in the state, arguing that the measure is unconstitutional and creates a “slippery slope” for corporations.

The Empire State charges energy companies for past climate emissions. West Virginia and other states want to do away with the law.

Twenty-two states sued New York state on Thursday, contending that a new law forcing a small group of major energy producers to pay $75 billion into a fund to cover climate change damage is unconstitutional.