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2010 Rhode Island Election Endorsements
Turning Out the Environmental Vote in 2010
Clean Water Action builds grassroots strength in key states and communities to change politics and environmental policy in states, local communities and Washington, DC. We run muscular and effective grassroots campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support candidates who are committed to protecting our waters, our health, and our future. Our political program is non partisan.
Rhode Island Clean Water Action Announces 2010 Candidate Endorsements
Providence—Clean Water Action is proud to announce our initial list of endorsed candidates for the 2010 city, state, and federal elections.
"Rhode Island voters have a real opportunity to support environmental candidates this year," said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. "Rhode Island needs more leaders who will take action to promote clean renewable energy, create green jobs, protect our drinking water supply, and fund public transportation. These candidates have earned Clean Water Action's endorsement by demonstrating their commitment to protecting our environment."
Composting aids waste reduction from festivals
NEWPORT — Nearly 3 tons of waste generated at this year’s Newport folk and jazz festivals will be composted or recycled, thanks to the efforts of Clean Water Action-Rhode Island.
It was the first year the environmental organization collected compostable materials. The total collected represented 30 percent of the waste generated at the weekend festivals and a 10 percent increase from 2009, when only recycling was offered, according to Nicole Poepping, campaign organizer for Clean Water Action.
Ask Your Legislators to Pass the Safe Cosmetics Act
What are all those chemicals in your shampoo? Your lipstick? your aftershave? And what do they have to do with asthma, breast cancer and learning disabilities?
Learn, share and help change this toxic mess: Watch The Story of Cosmetics, a 8-minute film exposing the ugly truth about personal care products - brought to you by Clean Water Action, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff Project and Free Range Studios, and take action to help pass the Safe Cosmetics Act.
Get the Finance Committee on Board with Clean Construction - Tell them to Support H7850A!
Construction is responsible for a whopping 40% of all mobile diesel emissions in the Northeast. It's time that our policies reflect government concern for the health of the workers and the public in and around those construction sites, particularly when they are located in dense urban areas - the Diesel Emission Reduction Act does just that.
The worst effects of diesel pollution are felt in densely populated urban areas, such as Providence County, which is ranked in the worst 6% of all US counties for health risks from diesel pollution. Each year Rhode Islanders suffer 50 premature deaths, 80 heart attacks and more than 900 asthma attacks (that's 3 per day) from their exposure to diesel pollution. This cannot continue. There is a better way of doing business and it's right around the corner.
Support Local Environmental Policy - Tell Cranston City Council You Support A Clean Diesel Ordinance!
Construction is responsible for a whopping 40% of all mobile diesel emissions in the Northeast. It's time that our policies reflect government concern for the health of the workers and the public in and around those construction sites, particularly when they are located in dense urban areas - the Clean Construction Ordinance does just that.
Take action now: Tell the Cranston City council that you support clean construction.
Take it to the Floor - Tell the Senate Environment Committee Diesel Needs to Move Now!
Construction is responsible for a whopping 40% of all mobile diesel emissions in the Northeast. It's time that our policies reflect government concern for the health of the workers and the public in and around those construction sites, particularly when they are located in dense urban areas - the Diesel Emission Reduction Act does just that.
Say No to Mercury Pollution
In 2005, Rhode Island banned the sale of thermostats that contain mercury. However, remaining thermostats in Rhode Island homes contain over 3,600 pounds of mercury.
Now we need to require thermostat manufacturers to take responsibility for their toxic products and ensure that mercury thermostats are safely collected and recycled when they are removed from use. The Mercury Thermostat Pollution Prevention Act requires manufacturers to finance the collection and recycling of their mercury thermostats and pay a $5 incentive for each thermostat returned to their program.
Cut Diesel Emissions, Demand Clean Construction Now!
Regionally, construction equipment is responsible for 40% of all mobile diesel pollution in the Northeast. In Rhode Island construction equipment emits more toxic diesel soot than trucks, buses or even airplanes. Each year 51 premature deaths, 80 heart attacks and numerous other problems such as cancer, respiratory diseases, asthma attacks and cardiovascular disease are caused by diesel pollution in our state.
Support Local Initiatives - Providence Pushing Clean Construction
Providence County is ranked in the worst 6% of all U.S. counties for health problems caused by diesel emissions. Lung cancer, heart and asthma attacks, chronic respiratory diseases, impaired lung growth in children, and premature death all result from our exposure to diesel.
Be Water Wise - Help Protect Rhode Island's Water Supply!
Wasting Water Hurts the Environment and our Economy
Rhode Island's water is shared by all of us. Drinking water, tourism, economic development, fisheries and much of our recreation depends on the state's clean flowing rivers and streams. With proper planning and use, the region's ample rainfall will continue to provide adequate water for Rhode Island's needs in the future.
Unfortunately, Rhode Island doesn't have a plan in place that will ensure enough water is available to supply all of our needs. It's time to share our water more wisely. Support the Rhode Island Shared Water Resources Act.
Support the Energy Independence & Climate Solutions Act
We Must Take Action Now
The Rhode Island Energy Independence & Climate Solutions Act will protect our environment and revitalize our economy. Global warming threatens Rhode Island's environment, economy, and infrastructure. Warming temperatures and a shifting climate threaten delicately balanced ecosystems and the ability of natural species in Rhode Island and Narragansett Bay to survive. The costs of inaction to the threat of global warming are great; addressing this problem now through measured efforts is more responsible and less costly than reacting to what effects will come our way.
Take Action: Urge your lawmaker to support the Energy Independence & Climate Solutions Act!
Electronics Take Back Campaign
Discarded computers and other electronics (e-waste) are the fastest growing portion of our waste stream. The National Safety Council estimates that there are 300 to 500 million obsolete computers in the U.S. ready for disposal.
Clean Water Action led the successful Rhode Island campaign to pass the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling Act. Our new law will not only keep computers and televisions out of the landfill, but it will require manufacturers to pay for collecting and recycling their old products.
Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative: Protecting Clean Air in the Ocean State
In Rhode Island, toxic Diesel soot is responsible for 51 premature deaths 80 heart attacks, 900 asthma attacks, 1,400 respiratory symptoms in children, and 5,500 missed work days. At a minimum, the health effects of diesel pollution cost Rhode Island $300 million annually.
The Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative advocates for the use of diesel particulate filters (DPF's) as a means to reduce toxic diesel pollution. DPF's are effective exhaust filters that can capture up to 90% of toxic particulate matter emitted by a diesel engine. The DPI was instrumental in passing legislation to clean up Rhode Island school buses with these exhaust filters, and by passing a statewide Anti-Idling law which limits idling in Rhode Island to five minutes. This year the DPI wants to see government lead by example and limit diesel emissions from diesel vehicles and equipment used in public works projects. Public money shouldn't create a public health risk!
Rhode Island Zero Mercury Campaign
Mercury containing thermostats release mercury into the environment when they are handled or disposed hadhazardly. Exposure to mercury, even at a low level, causes damage to the functioning and development of the nervous system both in utero and in growing children.
Most Rhode Islanders have a mercury thermostat in their home. Of the 665,000 thermostats in Rhode Island homes, there are 552,500 mercury thermostats. Since approximately 3% of those get replaced annually, over 120 pounds of mercury could be released into the environment each year.
Rhode Island Campaign for Producer Responsibility
When local governments took on responsibility for solid waste more than a century ago, household waste was primarily coal ash leftover from heating and cooking. The rest was mainly food and a small amount of simple manufactured products like paper and glass. Today manufactured products and their packaging make up 75% of what we throw away.
Most manufacturers don't pay anything to cover the costs of waste disposal. In fact, they're designing products to be thrown away - and taxpayers are picking up the tab.Local governments today are stuck with ever increasing costs for the recycling and disposal of computers, cameras, pharmaceuticals, batteries, and countless other consumer products.