With the General Assembly wrapping up, a diesel initiative that seemed good to go has fallen apart, but a strong e-waste recycling law has passed in both the House and Senate.

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Bill Aimed at Tackling Diesel Pollution in RI Derailed

via Clean Water Action

PROVIDENCE-Environmentalists expressed disappointment Friday evening when last minute opposition efforts derailed the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. The bill looked likely to become law when it was passed unanimously on the Senate floor and then made it out of the House Environment committee. Despite a tremendous effort by Senator Paul Moura and Representative Ray Sullivan, the bill failed to pass.

Environmentalists had made the bill a top priority because it would have empowered the State to require cleaner diesel vehicles through construction contracts, if federal funding was available to cover the costs of pollution filters called retrofits.  The pollution control devices would have protected people from harmful diesel emissions.

After more than a few amended versions to accommodate the concerns of the construction industry and environmentalists, the bill passed the Senate unanimously.  In vintage fashion, Senator Paul Moura introduced his amended legislation acknowledging it, "had more work done than Joan Rivers." He thanked Denise Parrillo of Clean Water Action, Molly Clark from the American Lung Association and Kelly Mahoney, Senate Policy Advisor, for their investment in and willingness to ultimately present an agreeable bill.

"It's a shame the assembly did not take this action to protect Rhode Islanders from diesel pollution," said Denise Parrillo, of Clean Water Action and the Diesel Pollution Initiative, a coalition of 38 groups working to reduce diesel pollution in RI.  "Since this bill would have only affected new purchases and contracts, and only if federal funding was there to cover the cost, it would have provided a means for the state to protect our health in a fiscally constrained time."

The coalition asserted that older diesel vehicles used by the state pose an immediate health risk to workers and surrounding communities. For this reason, government should lead by example and ensure that any vehicle owned by or contracted on behalf of the state is as clean as possible. The cost of cleaning the fleet would have been provided through federal grants.

Background
Diesel is composed of very fine soot particles that get lodged in our lungs where they can trigger asthma and heart attacks, and cancer. In Rhode Island alone there are 51 premature deaths and 79 non-fatal heart attacks caused by diesel soot. Diesel exhaust also disproportionately increases the frequency of asthma attacks for those living in urban areas.

Recognizing that diesel is a serious threat to our health, the federal EPA passed legislation in 2005 requiring all new diesel engines to be 90% cleaner starting in 2007. Since these standards only apply to new engines, older dirtier diesels will be on Rhode Island's roads and at our job-sites for years to come, unless we act now. We have the technology to clean up diesels and make our air safer to breathe.  Pollution filters called retrofits can capture more than 90% of diesel soot.

The General Assembly has taken action in previous sessions to address diesel pollution.  In 2006 the Anti-Idling Act to ban the unnecessary idling of any stationary diesel vehicle in the state of Rhode Island was passed.

In 2007, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act was passed to clean up school buses.


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Environmentalists Applaud Passage of E-waste Recycling Law

via Clean Water Action

Providence, RI -- The general assembly passed legislation to create a comprehensive system for the collection and recycling of old computers and televisions early Saturday evening. Sen. Sosnowski and Rep. Handy had introduced the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act (S 2631, H 7880) to create a manufacturer-funded recycling program similar to laws in thirteen other states.

"This bill is a critical step to save taxpayer money, conserve space in the landfill, eliminate consumer fees, and support local recycling businesses," said Sheila Dormody, Clean Water Action's Rhode Island director. "In a tight budget year, it's a relief to have a bill that will protect the environment and save taxpayer dollars."

With the conversion to digital television approaching early next year, the state is expecting an increase of older televisions coming into the waste stream. The new law will require manufacturers to cover the costs for collecting and recycling computers and televisions.

"Requiring manufacturers to pay for the recycling of computers and televisions has the added benefit of giving them the incentive to create products that are less toxic, more recyclable and that last longer," said Dormody, "and that is good for both consumers and the environment."

According to the state's Comprehensive Solid Waste Master Plan, Rhode Islanders generate 7,500 tons of electronic waste each year.

The bill had broad support from the Department of Environmental Management, the Resource Recovery Corporation, Metals Recycling and other local recyclers, and environmental groups including Clean Water Action and the Environment Council of Rhode Island.