Kai Salem, Environment Council of Rhode
Island
 |
| McKee has already threatened to veto the bill. The environment is NOT a McKee priority so he needs a push |
On March 23rd, the House of Representatives passed the Act On Climate with a bipartisan majority (53 – 22) after nearly four hours of debate.
Supporters of the bill believe Rhode Island
needs to take this critical step in planning for and addressing climate change
with science, accountability, and enforceability.
The prior week the Rhode Island State Senate also
passed the 2021 Act On Climate with overwhelming support, 33 – 4. It’s now
Governor McKee’s turn to show Rhode Islanders that he can lead the Ocean State
through the many crises we face, including the climate crisis.
The Act On Climate is the most important climate
bill passed by the General Assembly in Rhode Island history, preceded only by
the 2014 Resilient Rhode Island Act.
“The bill makes greenhouse gas reductions economy-wide, binding and enforceable and consistent with what scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, which our coastal and frontline communities are already experiencing. The accountability provision in the Act On Climate bill updates the Resilient RI Act and gives it teeth. It’s the next simple step for Rhode Island to take,” said Meg Kerr, Sr. Director of Policy at Audubon Society of RI and former President of the Environment Council of Rhode Island.
In an open letter to Governor McKee, members of
the Environment Council members expressed the urgent need for decisive climate
action.
“We ask that you sign the bill into law as it was
passed by the Senate and House and keep the accountability and enforcement
measures that would move Rhode Island beyond aspirational targets and position
the state as a leader.” The letter goes on to read: “This legislation, while
simple, sets the framework for how the state will address climate change.
“It is the foundation and framework we need to
really reduce emissions and transition to a green economy in an equitable way.
Rhode Island needs a solid foundation and comprehensive plan to address the
climate crisis, a plan that is economy-wide and enforceable to set us on a path
to a just transition to a green & sustainable economy.”
“Massachusetts passed comparable climate legislation
with the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act. This bill has kept the
Massachusetts government accountable for meeting its climate targets and led to
the growth of a nation-leading clean energy economy. But it’s not too late for
Rhode Island to shift its lagging action into meaningful leadership and reap
the benefits of growing green economy,” said Kai Salem, VP of Policy at the
Environment Council of RI and Policy Coordinator at Green Energy Consumers
Alliance.
 |
| Charlestown's state rep Blake "Flip" Filippi tried to kill the bill in the House claiming it would mean the end of the world as we know it and, in particular, it might affect his cattle business in Lincoln. - Editor Will Collette |
“The people of the Ocean State deserve a firm
commitment to facing the climate challenge with transparency, enforcement, and
accountability – our health, our environment, and our economy depend on it. It
is not the time for delays or attempts to weaken a good and necessary climate
bill. And let’s not ignore that voters want climate action. The vast majority
of voters are concerned about climate change and support emission reductions,
according to a recent survey,” said Jonathan Berard, Rhode Island State
Director at Clean Water Action, a member of the Environment Council of RI.
We call on Governor McKee to commit to signing
the 2021 Act On Climate into law by Earth Day, April 22nd, as written and passed
by both the House and Senate. The Environment Council of RI looks forward to
working alongside Governor McKee and his administration to implementing the Act
On Climate and delivering a cleaner, healthier future for all Rhode Islanders.
What can you do to help the Act On
Climate be signed into law?
1) Contact Governor McKee ASAP.
Tell him, "I urge you to sign the 2021 Act On Climate bill as written and
passed by the House (H5445-subA) and Senate (S78-subA). We need your leadership
to secure a green & sustainable economy and a healthier state for Rhode
Islanders."
Call the Governor McKee’s office at 401-222-2080
Send a message online: https://governor.ri.gov/contact/
2) Sign the petition by Climate Action
RI. It
takes less than a minute. 1,000 Rhode Islanders have already signed; will you
help us surpass 2,000?
