Environment Council of Rhode Island
ECRI supports the Water Use and Efficiency Act to promote water conservation and efficiency and investment in a reliable system of supply and distribution and to adjust the membership and quorum requirements of the Water Resources Board to include relevant expertise and empower the public members of the Board.
S0732A Passed Senate. Amended by House. On Senate calendar.
H5828a Passed House. On the Senate calendar.
ECRI supports the Mercury Thermostat Pollution Prevention Act to require thermostat manufacturers to finance the safe collection and recycling of mercury-containing thermostats.
S0668A Passed Senate. Pending in House Environment.
H5794B Passed House. On the Senate calendar.
ECRI supports the Conservation Easements and Land Trusts Act to ensure that when a property with a conservation easement is sold, the terms of the easement requirements are made clear to the buyer to avoid miscommunication in the purchasing agreement.
» S378 Passed Senate. Passed House.
H5657 Passed House. Passed Senate Judiciary.
ECRI supports the Green Buildings Act requiring all public buildings, including schools, to be designed, constructed or renovated to achieve at least the US Green Building Council LEED Certified rating or an equivalent high performance green building standard.
S0232A Passed Senate. On the House calendar.
H5355A Passed House. On the Senate calendar.
“These strategies will create local jobs and reduce dependence on oil, which is essential for the long-term health of our economy.”
— July Lewis, ECRI's Policy Vice President.
Strengthen the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. (H5910, S0491, S0484) Diesel pollution contains tiny particles of soot that trigger asthma and heart attacks, lead to lung cancer, and also contribute to global warming. ECRI supports legislation to strengthen the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act by requiring the use of emission control technology in state vehicles and major construction projects.
Build toward rapid transit. (H5010, S0160) The Transit Signal Priority Act will speed up bus trips by authorizing RIPTA buses to extend green lights at intersections and by requiring motorists to yield to RIPTA buses as they re-enter lanes from bus stops.
Finance public transit. (S0006, S0030, S0075, S0525, S0740, , H5105, H5152, H5625) The State must meet the growing demand for public transit by financing RIPTA's operating budget. Not only does RIPTA need $5-10 million to mitigate any service reductions, but also financing that grows with demand to give Rhode Islanders real and competitive choices to automobile dependence.
Reduce global warming pollution. (H5706, S0488) ECRI supports the Rhode Island Energy Independence and Climate Solutions Act that will reduce global warming pollution in Rhode Island 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 and will increase jobs and investment in the clean energy economy.
Support long-term contracting for renewable energy projects. (H5002, S0111) ECRI supports a bill requiring National Grid to procure at least 9% of their load through long-term contracts for renewable energy. ECRI opposes the competing bill S0487.
Clarify net billing. (H5461). Last year's net billing legislation was a step towards a green energy economy that allowed municipalities, affordable housing developers, and others to produce renewable electricity for more than one meter. ECRI supports legislation to clarify that net billing should be for unlimited accounts, and credits should not accrue at rates lower than the customer is charged for electricity.
Support Solar Energy. (S0703) ECRI supports the creation of a solar energy program within Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Fund that would provide incentives to homeowners and businesses that install solar panels.
Improving energy performance in existing and new buildings. (H5355a, S0232aaa) Green building standards promote sustainable development; conserve resources; provide for highly efficient, energy-saving mechanical systems; and enhance indoor air quality. ECRI supports the Green Building and Energy Efficiency Act that will create a green building and energy efficiency subcommittee of the state building code standards committee and will also require that new and renovated public buildings, facilities and schools meet green building standards.
Fund heating oil energy efficiency. (H5977) ECRI supports an account to fund oil energy efficiency programs such as those for natural gas and electricity.
Protect open spaces. (H5053, S0685) ECRI supports legislation to ensure that all of our protected open spaces remain protected for future generations. ECRI continues to support efforts to maintain Camp Meehan as open space in North Providence by eminent domain or with other appropriate measures.
Support conservation easements and land trusts. ECRI supports legislation to support land trusts and ensure that protected lands remain protected. Bills S0261/H5490 and S0270/H5488 enable estates and their executors to convey a conservation easement that has not been specified in a will, while S0108 and H5195 enable small land trusts to accept donated properties without triggering an unnecessary audit. Bills H5657a and S0378 ensure that when a property with a conservation easement is sold, the buyer is made aware of the easement's requirements.
Prevent mercury pollution. (H5794baa, S0668aaa) In 2005, RI banned the sale of thermostats that contain mercury because mercury is toxic even in very small amounts. ECRI supports the Mercury Thermostat Pollution Prevention Act to require thermostat manufacturers to pay a bounty to ensure the safe collection and recycling of mercury thermostats that remain in the homes of Rhode Islanders.
Protect children from toxic products used at schools. (H5358) Children need protection because they are vulnerable to toxins and spend many hours each day in school. ECRI supports legislation to promote healthy school environments by requiring green cleaning products and less-toxic grounds maintenance.
Protect children from toxics in plastics. (H5038, H5132) Bisphenol-A (BPA) and certain phthalates, which are used in some plastic products, have been found to pose significant health concerns for children. ECRI supports legislation prohibiting the use of these chemicals in products intended for children.
Raise maximum fines for polluters to $25,000 per day. (H5061, S0050) Rhode Island is having trouble holding big polluters accountable for cleaning up the areas they contaminate, because the fines they face are too low. This gives polluters an incentive to dodge responsibility and drag out the legal process, leaving toxic hazards in our environment. ECRI supports legislation to raise maximum fines for big polluters from $1,000 to $25,000 per day, so that Rhode Island can make polluters obey the law and clean up our state.
Use water wisely. (H5828aaa S732aaa) RI's quality of life and vibrant economic future are inextricably tied to our management of this natural resource. ECRI supports the Water Conservation and Competitiveness Act to promote water conservation and efficiency through a reliable system of supply and distribution.
Support adequate funding for environmental agencies. An ECRI priority is to ensure that the Department of Environmental Management, Coastal Resources Management Council and the Water Resources Board are adequately funded and staffed to enable effective management of our natural resources. 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 boards and commissions. ECRI calls for quick action on appointments to fill the numerous vacancies currently found on many boards and commissions. ECRI seeks qualified environmental representation on such key boards as the RI Resource Recovery Corporation, RI Public Transit Authority, Narragansett Bay Commission, Renewable Energy Development Fund, Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council and the Water Resources Board. Any legislation to reconstitute the Coastal Resources Management Council should include appointees with knowledge in a diverse range of coastal interests and be consistent with Separation of Powers (i.e. not limiting the Governor to selecting from lists).
Manage solid waste. (H5616) ECRI supports a Resolution requesting that DEM develop recommendations for a comprehensive product stewardship approach to solid waste issues in Rhode Island.
Support the Incinerator Ban Act. (H5403) ECRI supports legislation to formally include new technologies in the state's ban on incineration. Incineration produces particulate matter that leads to asthma and lung disease, carbon monoxide, mercury, and other toxins. Gasification, pyrolysis and plasma disposal technologies heat garbage or plastics to high temperatures, creating gas, solid, and liquid residues. The gases are combusted, releasing hazardous pollutants.
©2009 Environment Council of Rhode Island • PO Box 9061 • Providence, RI 02940 • (401) 621-8048