Environment Council of Rhode Island

Clean Water

Protect Rhode Island’s Water Supply. Rhode Island’s water use is outgrowing our reserves. Since water is a public good, the public sector must manage supply and demand and protect the land surrounding water sources. ECRI supports a coordinated water management system that would provide incentives and regulations to reduce non-essential water use, protect the environment, and coordinate the agencies that manage water supply. We advocate a water system with sufficient management capacity to protect natural resources and enough flexibility to accommodate future growth.

Support the Cesspool Phase-out Act. (S243, H5037) Cesspools in RI remain a serious threat to public health and water quality. ECRI supports eliminating those cesspools posing the most direct threat to public water supplies and public beaches throughout RI and in coastal areas along Narragansett Bay as well as the development of comprehensive Wastewater Management Plans by cities and towns targeting cesspools throughout the state.

Support the Clean Water Bond. Reduction of nitrogen loads from wastewater treatment plants is the single most important action available to improve the health of Narragansett Bay.  A Clean Water bond issue on the 2008 ballot increasing funding for infrastructure improvements is a key element in attaining these reductions. In addition, aging wastewater infrastructure throughout the state must be replaced and upgraded to prevent spills that contaminate groundwater and beaches and present a danger to public health.

Support the monitoring request of the Bays, Rivers and Watershed Coordination Team. (Budget Article 50) This appropriation will support major environmental data connection efforts, including, fixed site buoys which monitor Bay-wide water quality, USGS large river monitoring stations which track water quality in RI rivers which receive wastewater discharges form RI and Ma wastewater treatment plants, streamflow gages which measure the levels of RI rivers, a critical determinant of the availability of our freshwater supply, and contamination of freshwater beaches and fish. Unique to this monitoring program is the collection of economic data on RI’s marine economy.

Solid Waste Reduction

Support the Electronic Waste Producer Responsibility Act. (S561, H5915) ECRI supports legislation to require manufacturers to pay for collecting and safely recycling discarded electronic equipment. Computers and other discarded electronic equipment contain lead, mercury, and other toxins that can damage kidneys, nervous and reproductive systems in addition to disrupting hormones and harming developing fetuses.

Clean Transportation

Support the Diesel Pollution Reduction Act.(S566, H5574) ECRI supports legislation to establish a Rhode Island Diesel Emission Reduction Strategy to curb diesel pollution 75% by 2015 in our state. Diesel pollution leads to global warming and other harmful environmental impacts, as well as adverse health risks. The average lifetime cancer risk from diesel soot for Providence County residents is 330 times higher than the acceptable risk level determined by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Support Public Transit. ECRI supports legislation to provide designated sustained funding for RIPTA and the RIDOT in order to maintain and improve our bus transit and to continue developing an expanded commuter rail system; restructure the RIPTA Board with qualified appointments including environmentalists; establish a standing legislative committee for transportation; extend the U-Pass program to CCRI, RIC, and URI-Providence (S456, H5918); allow buses to extend green lights in order to speed up commutes (S458, H5617); implement the State Guide Plan which calls for "state government, as a major employer, to lead by example to encourage alternate modes" of employee commuting (S414, H5416).

Clean Energy and Global Warming

Implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (S372, H5577)Nine northeastern states have signed on to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to cut global warming pollution from power plants. RGGI would not only cut pollution from plants, but it would also cut our electricity costs through investments in energy efficiency. The General Assembly will need to pass legislation to implement the plan and ensure the maximum consumer benefit.

Implement the Renewable Energy Standard and Comprehensive Energy Act by quickly confirming well-qualified candidates to be Trustees of the Renewable Energy Development Fund and members of the Energy Efficiency and Resources Management Council. Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency will reduce pollution and help stabilize energy costs. In order for Rhode Island’s energy laws to work properly these open positions must be filled quickly.

Expand tax credits that promote residential renewable energy. (S44, S231, S303, H5411) ECRI supports legislation that will remove the cap on Rhode Island’s Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit and promote renewable energy.

Preserve Open Spaces

(S564, H5505, H5483) Rhode Island is one of the most heavily developed states in the country, but there are still some beautiful open spaces, forests and farmland left in Rhode Island that should be preserved forever. Unfortunately, the pressures of development are threatening these special places. ECRI supports legislation to ensure permanent protection for all of Rhode Island’s state parks and to encourage landowners to preserve open space by offering a tax credit for conservation easements.

Other Priorities

Support adequate funding for environmental agencies. (S312) An ECRI priority is to ensure the DEM is adequately funded and staffed so as to enable them to effectively enforce environmental regulations, properly review and process permit applications, and plan for, manage, and protect our public lands.  ECRI also seeks adequate funding for the Statewide Planning Program to effectively update key state guide plan elements and to oversee the development and implementation of local comprehensive plans.


Include environmental representation on board and commissions. As Boards and Commissions are created or restructured due to separation of powers, ECRI seeks appropriate qualified environmental representation and expertise on such key agencies as Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, Coastal Resources Management Council, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Narragansett Bay Commission, Renewable Energy Development Fund, Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council and the Water Resources Board.

Restrict lawn pesticides on school grounds. (S560) ECRI supports legislation prohibiting lawn pesticide use on the grounds of schools, pre-school and day care facilities. Connecticut banned the use of these chemicals at elementary schools and pre-school facilities in 2005. A 7 1/2 minute DVD distributed by the CT Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) gives examples of successful implementation of the new policy. Extension of the ban to upper level schools is now being sought.