Feb
17
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Tuesday, 17 February 2009 |
 The House Environment Committee at the State House has just posted a hearing for Wednesday of next week, February 25, and our local eco-advocates are asking everyone to turn out for this if you can, or at least send an email to your local reps to let them know where you stand.
The hearing will include, among other issues, the incinerator ban bill. "It would be a big help to have a good turnout for this hearing to demonstrate that Rhode Islanders still don't want trash incineration," says Sheila Dormody, of Clean Water Action.
Some background from Sheila:
Clean Water Action strongly supports this bill because it would extend the current definition of an "incinerator" in RI law to clarify that the definition includes new incineration technologies that are about to come into the market that are being promoted as new sources of energy. So far, these new technologies are just as polluting as the traditional incinerators, which Rhode Island has banned for decades.
One of the major concerns that we have about these types of plants is that they release the exact same types of toxins into our communities as old-style incinerators do. The same amount of lead and mercury, which cause developmental problems; the same amount of small particulates that cause lung disease; and the same amount of dioxins that cause cancer will result from the incineration of trash, even with these new technologies. These are the very concerns that we had in the 1990s about bringing incinerators into our communities.
Also, building incinerators reduces the incentive for the state to promote recycling because the incinerators require a steady stream for fuel. This could put Rhode Island in the situation of seeking to bring in out-of-state trash, and bearing the brunt of the resulting pollution. Municipal waste incinerators have been very poor energy generators because the damp municipal trash takes almost as much energy to burn as it can generate.
For more details about the hearing, click on "More..."
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Feb
04
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 |
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We have a real opportunity with the federal stimulus package now in the works, to bring green jobs to Rhode Island, building the energy infrastructure of the future -- new solar and wind projects, and retrofitting existing structures to be more energy-efficient. What we DON'T need is more coal-burning, greenhouse-gas-spewing electric plants. But right now, the package contains $50 billion in subsidies for things like coal liquefaction and nuclear power plant construction. The folks at EnvironmentRI are keeping a close eye on this stimulus package, and they need you to let our senators know that you are paying attention too. Let them know NOW that you want REAL green investments for the future! Click here to send a message to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, or click here to contact your own Rhode Island senators, or click here to learn more about clean energy options for Rhode Island.
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Jan
22
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Thursday, 22 January 2009 |
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by Steve Stycos The Pawtuxet River needs your help. Stop & Shop wants to build a store on the Warwick Nurseries property on Warwick Avenue in Cranston. The current zoning code would not allow a large grocery store on the site, so Councilman Richard Santamaria (Ward 5) is proposing to change the definition of the zone to help Stop & Shop.  This maneuver avoids a variance hearing that would require notification of neighbors and a careful examination of the construction plan. Our neighborhood group, Friends of the Pawtuxet, is opposed to the Stop & Shop proposal because: 1) Our experience with Shaw’s is that supermarkets should not be put next to rivers because plastic bags and newspaper flyers blow into the river, 2) We are developing a trail along the river that could be blocked by Stop & Shop, 3) We are concerned about runoff from a big parking lot into the river, 4) Santamaria’s proposal avoids the usual city zoning procedures. No specific plan for the site has been presented. 5) Nothing has been done to address the neighbors' concerns.
If you oppose Santamaria's move, please call members of the Cranston City Council and attend the Cranston City Council meeting Monday January 26 at 7 PM in Cranston City Hall.
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Jan
16
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Friday, 16 January 2009 |
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As the state legislature gets under way in Providence, Clean Water Action has released its agenda for issues to be addressed in this session. These goals include protecting our water supply, cleaning up our air, and preventing mercury pollution. Click on "More..." for all the details, direct from CWA. The Environment Council of Rhode Island also publishes a legislative agenda, and they tell NNN it will be ready soon. High on the list of their concerns are air pollution, public transit, clean energy, protecting our water supply, and managing solid waste.
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Jan
15
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Thursday, 15 January 2009 |
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These are the folks who represent us in Washington, be sure to let them know how you feel about the issues they are confronting every day! The U.S. Senate  Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Senator Whitehouse has made protecting the environment one of his main issues. He is a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. His wife, Sandra Thornton Whitehouse, is a marine biologist and has worked as an environmental consultant, with ties to many of our local eco-groups. Click here for updates on the Senator's positions on environmental legislation via ontheissues.org. Click here to send an email, and you will also find the address and phone numbers for the Providence and D.C. offices, and links to lots of other content on the Senator's Web site. Sen. Jack Reed Senator Reed also has shown a committment to the environment, and in 2008 was a lead sponsor for legislation to promote environmental education in our schools. He secured federal funding to help launch Rhode Island's aquaculture industry. And he has fought for a national energy policy that will promote the use of alternative fuels and increase energy efficiency standards. Click here to contact Senator Reed via an online form or by phone, and for links to the rest of his Web site. Click here for updates on the Senator's positions on environmental legislation via ontheissues.org. U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy Congressman Kennedy has joined the environmental community in opposition to allowing a liquefied-natural gas site in Narragansett Bay. Click here for his full listing of positions on other local eco-issues. He represents the First Congressional District in R.I., so if you live in northern or eastern Rhode Island, he is your rep. Click here for a map of the First District. Click here to go to Kennedy's Web site for contact info, news updates, and more info. Click here for updates on the congressman's positions on environmental legislation via ontheissues.org. U.S. Rep. James Langevin Congressman Langevin represents the state's Second District, which comprises all of Kent County and South County, and parts of Providence County. Click here for a map of the Second District. Click here for updates on the congressman's positions on environmental legislation via ontheissues.org.
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Jan
08
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Thursday, 08 January 2009 |
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Here's a start.... For Local Issues: Natural News, of course! The PBN Environment section is an excellent place to find daily news updates about important local issues. The Projo Environment section is more of a lifestyle page, but with some good content. Check out these excellent local eco-blogs.... Sustainable Sakonnet (East Bay) is a blog by Bill Gerlach, a very savvy guy and an excellent writer. The site features local news along with Bill's musings on living the sustainable life with his young family. Post Carbon Rhode Island (based in South County) is a project by David Floyd, who is also working to organize community gardens and a Green Drinks network in South County. What Grows On in RI is an ever-growing project by information wrangler Sue Korte, who is working to keep our community connected via easy access to all we need to know.
Many of our local political bloggers also post frequently about environmental issues. Not for Nothing, by Providence Phoenix news editor Ian Donnis. RI's Future, run by community organizer Pat Crowley, takes a progressive political stand. Kmareka mainly focuses on local issues in Cranston.
For National & Global Issues: Grist, Environmental News and Humor E, The Environmental Magazine ENN, the Environmental News Network
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and we can help!
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Dec
12
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Friday, 12 December 2008 |
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As the year's end approaches, many of us, if we are lucky enough to have enough for ourselves and our families, think about ways we can give back to our community, and share what we can spare with those in need. With a crumbling economy bringing hard times for so many of our neighbors, it's tough to consider giving to anything other than programs that will meet those basic needs for food and shelter and warmth.  But while there are plenty of useful ways to contribute to those needs -- and we hope you will -- we hope you also will not forget about the many nonprofit groups we are lucky to have here in RI that work to create a better future for all of us. Yes we need food and shelter, but we also need forests and farms, we also need parks and clean rivers for children to play in, we need education and inspiration for the next generation.
So when you think about what you can give, and where it should go, please keep in mind your neighbors who are working every day, year in and year out, to create a better Rhode Island for all of us. Click here for NNN's listing of these local advocacy groups. They need your support, now more than ever!
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Dec
05
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Friday, 05 December 2008 |
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 via Barry Schiller
Thanks to the generosity of the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen, the Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island has $5,000 to distribute in 2009 for projects to promote bicycling. This is the third year that the NBW has made such funds available.
Bicycling is perhaps the most energy-efficient way to travel, is good exercise, a way to see the greenways, and also a lot of fun, so there are many reasons the environmental community promotes bicycling.
Previous grants have gone to groups that printed bike maps and/or bike-safety handouts, held events on the bike paths, organized a "bike train" to events, helped promote bike-safety education, helped kids learn to repair bikes, put up bike-route signs, and more. Note that paying for staff time is not eligible, but printing and other materials and expenses can be covered.
For more information, please contact
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, or GARI Chair
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.
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Dec
05
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Friday, 05 December 2008 |
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Click on "More..." for more details and info about this important event!
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Nov
05
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Wednesday, 05 November 2008 |
This just in from Rupert Friday of the RI Land Trust Council.
With 97% of the votes counted, 68% approve Question 2, providing the state with $2.5 million in bond funding for farmland protection and open space conservation.
Voters in urban communities were especially strong supporters:
79.1% City of Providence - 2nd highest approval rate after Block Island
73.8% Central Falls
78.9% Newport
The Highest voter approval was 82.4% in New Shoreham.
Local Land Conservation Bonds were also Approved:
Middletown $2 million passed with 68%
Glocester $500,000 passed with 53.8%
Cranston $6 million passed with 57%
On behalf of the RI Land Trust Council Board, THANK YOU to everyone who helped to get these bond referendums on the ballot and promoted their approval yesterday. Congratulations to you - Rhode Island's land conservation leaders and friends throughout the state. These are outstanding results in such a difficult fiscal climate!
The results of this vote demonstrate once again that Rhode Island residents value our farmland and other open spaces and are willing to invest in their protection for our future. Voters recognize that an investment in land conservation not only protects our quality of life but also creates long term fiscal benefits for our communities and the state.
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