Rhode Island

2007 Victories for the Environment

Wins

Passed the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (H5574, S566)
The Diesel Emission Reduction Act starts to tackle the problem of diesel pollution by requiring the cleanup of school buses. The bill also requires DEM to report to the General Assembly and Governor by January 2008 on opportunities to clean up diesel waste haulers and state vehicles. 

Passed Bill to Implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (S943A, H5577)
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will cut global warming pollution from power plants and cut our electricity costs through investments in energy efficiency. For each ton of carbon dioxide emitted, power plants must buy a pollution “allowance.” Over time, the total number of allowances will be reduced across the region, resulting in less carbon going into the air. The plan is an advantage to ratepayers because Rhode Island can auction its pollution allowances to power plant operators, creating a fund that can be used to benefit consumers. Studies of RGGI have shown that careful use of this fund should result in reduced energy costs to consumers.

Passed the Cesspool Phase-out Act (H5037)
Cesspools remain a serious threat to health and water quality. For five years, CWA has supported this legislation to eliminate cesspools posing the most direct threat to drinking water supplies and coastal beaches throughout Rhode Island.

Removed Barriers to On-site Renewable Power (H5566B)
CWA supported this legislation to raise the caps on renewable power net metering in Rhode Island. The bill as passed by the General Assembly allows a handful of test cases to be monitored by the governor and the legislature after two years, when the bill sunsets.

 

House Rejected Bill to Allow Dumping Out-of-State Waste in Our Landfill (H6375)
Despite the state's ban on dumping out-of-state waste in Rhode Island, this bill would have allowed medical waste generated out of state to be disposed of in the Central Landfill.

Losses

House Passed CRMC Bills That Violate Separation of Powers (H6266, H6556)
The House passed two bills that CWA opposed. H6266 would include legislators on the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). H6556 is a resolution asking the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion about whether legislators are allowed to sit on the CRMC, despite the separation of powers constitutional amendment of 2004.

Missed Opportunities

Prevent Toxic Electronic Trash (S561, H5915)
Computers and televisions contain lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxics. Last year legislation established a disposal ban to prevent computers and televisions from being dumped in the landfill. CWA supported legislation to require manufacturers to pay for collecting and safely recycling discarded electronic equipment. The General Assembly decided to wait for a DEM recommendation due next session.

Protect Rhode Island's Water Supply (S1098, H6550)
Rhode Island's water use is outgrowing our reserves. CWA supported a coordinated water management system that would protect the environment, reduce non-essential water use, and coordinate water withdrawals. In June, both the House and the Senate introduced legislation to begin to address these issues, however, both chambers decided to wait until next year to adopt policies.