Environment
Environmental issues and climate change
Climate Action RI issues greenwashing award to Chase Bank branches throughout the state
"Greenwashing is using the words from the climate movement to make it sound like they're doing something - but they're really not doing anything," said Climate Action RI activist Diane Hill. "It's all semantics. It's a PR stunt, basically.
AG Neronha: Proposed LPG facility expansion in Port of Providence should be subject to robust regulatory review by EFSB
“In-depth, comprehensive regulatory oversight of facilities with operations that impact the health and safety of Rhode Islanders and our environment is critically important," writes Attorney General Peter Neronha. "Such oversight is necessary to evaluate whether such facilities or their expansion should be approved in the first instance and, if so, what mitigation measures are necessary to safeguard public health and protection of the environment."
Lawmakers ask the Energy Facilities Siting Board to reject Sea 3's proposed LPG expansion
"We respectfully ask that the Energy Facilities Siting Board fully vet and reject Sea 3’s proposed expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the Port of Providence, an already burdened neighborhood with some of the highest rates of asthma in the country."
Climate Action RI joins national day of action demanding Chase and Bank of America divest from fossil fuels
"Line 3 would result in as much additional greenhouse gas being released into the atmosphere, as the building of 50 new coal-fired power plants. To build a huge pipeline running right through the lands of indigenous peoples in order to deliver twice as much filthy tar sands oil as before at the same time the scientific community says all of our well-being depends on the very quick and very dramatic worldwide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is dangerous, immoral, and stupid."
Sponsors of bill to ban high-heat waste incineration facilities hit back against MedRecycler's lobbyists
MedRecycler has hired a lobbyist - George Zainyeh of Athena Solutions Group in Pawtucket - at a cost of $7,500 a month to lobby against Senator Valverde’s and Representative Caldwell’s legislation, while at the same time claiming publicly that the bill won’t affect its project.
Sea 3 seeks major fossil fuel expansion in the Port of Pvd
"A full application and review by the EFSB is the best way to ensure that all scenarios associated with the proposed expansion (impact to air quality, public safety and the welfare of the community) are adequately reviewed and will provide potentially impacted communities the right to comment on the application," says the Rhode Island Attorney General.
Treasurer Magaziner announces nearly 50 percent reduction in RI pension fund exposure to fossil fuels
"Rather than just addressing the issues as one offs, I think the time has come to take a comprehensive look at the environmental and social profile of how we invest and see what recommendations come out of that."
Attorney General Neronha expresses concerns over West Warwick Medrecycler pyrolysis facility
“I have detailed my concerns in a comment letter sent to the Department of Environmental Management and requested that the ongoing approval process be paused until proper analysis and certifications are completed.”
RI House weighs outlawing pyrolysis and high heat waste processing
"This process runs against everything we are trying to do in our state to preserve our environment for our children and preserve its appeal for ourselves, our tourism and our seasonal residents," said Representative Justine Caldwell.
Sunrise Providence calls for Senators Euer and Coyne to vote Rescue Rhode Island Act out of committee
Activists with the Sunrise Movement called on Senators Dawn Euer and Cynthia Armour Coyne to bring the package of bills known as the Rescue Rhode Island Act - which set aside investments in local food, affordable housing, and Green Justice Zones - to the floor of the Senate for a vote. As of April 7, the legislation is sitting in committee and held for further study.