RI environmental groups lay out their legislative priorities

Environmental Legislation Underway at Statehouse

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

Many of the state's 2012 environmental initiatives are expected to be repeats of bills that died in committee last year.

The Environment Council of Rhode Island's (ECRI) list of priority legislation is expected to focus on four main areas: a new transit funding formula for RIPTA and the state transportation system; producer responsibility laws for products that are difficult to discard; approval of new standards for climate-change emissions, such as a 20 percent reduction by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050; and stopping an expected proposal for a waste incinerator in Woonsocket.

"We hope the second time's the charm," said Abel Collins of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club. Collins tallies legislative priorities for ECRI.

Two of these ideas are already getting action. On Jan. 5, Rep. Jon Brien, D-Woonsocket, moved quickly by introducing an act (pdf) to allow an incinerator in his city. The bill was sent to the House Municipal Government Committee for review.

The House also passed a resolution (pdf) Jan. 5 to form a five-member commission to study producer responsibility "models" for paper and packaging. The committee has until Jan. 17, 2013 to deliver its findings.

Save The Bay has met with Gov. Lincoln Chafee to seek his support for a $40 million "clean water bond." The money would help update and repair wastewater treatment plants, drinking water systems and possibly fund stormwater infrastructure upgrades.

This money is intended to replenish the 2004 $75 million bond referendum that has been used to protect open space and fund wastewater upgrades.

The new round of funding would support the combined sewer overflow projects in Providence and Newport. Wastewater treatment facilities in East Providence, Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston also would receive money. The runway extension at TF Green Airport would get money to help reduce the impact of harmful deicing sprays.

Save The Bay says it will also lobby for restoring, or at least maintaining, funding for environmental enforcement at the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Monitoring of waterfront polluters, in particular, is an important need at the agency, said Jane Austin, director of policy and advocacy for Save The Bay.

"DEM has been hit pretty hard over the last few years and their jobs aren't getting any smaller or easier," she said.

Save The Bay will officially announce its "Bay Agenda" at the end of January. It is expected to also include strong involvement in the recently created state Climate Change Commission.