For More Information Contact:
Matt Auten, Environment Rhode Island (401) 421-6535
Cynthia Giles, Conservation Law Foundation, (401) 351-1102
Sheila Dormody, Clean Water Action (401) 331-6972
MOMENTUM GROWS FOR RI TO JOIN GLOBAL WARMING PACT
R.I. Senate Passes Resolution
Lt. Governor Roberts Announces Support For Program
R.I. House Introduces Two Resolutions
Providence, RI – Momentum for Rhode Island to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) grew today with action taken by the R.I. Senate, resolutions introduced in the R.I. House, and a call for action from Lt. Governor Roberts. RGGI is a regional program to reduce global warming pollution from power plants The Senate introduced, read and passed a resolution yesterday urging Gov. Carcieri to sign onto the pact. Similar resolutions were also introduced in the House, which has supported the program in previous years. In a statement issued today, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts also announced her support. R.I. Attorney General Lynch has previously urged the Governor to join the global warming pact.
Rhode Island is now the only New England state that has not joined a regional pact negotiated by northeast governors and the momentum for Rhode Island to join is growing.
“Left unchecked, global warming will have a serious impact on Rhode Island’s coastline and beaches as well as the health of Narragansett Bay,” said Matt Auten, Advocate for Environment Rhode Island. “We applaud Lt. Gov. Roberts, Sen. Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown, New Shoreham) Sen. Majority Leader Paiva-Weed (D-Newport, Jamestown), Sen. Minority Leader Algiere (R-Westerly, Charlestown) for recognizing the importance of Rhode Island joining the rest of New England in this historic program.”
The so-called Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, would use a market-based "cap-and-trade" system to cap emissions in 2009 and require reductions starting in 2015.
“It should be clear to the Governor by now that Rhode Islanders want to be part of the solution and want RI to take this action to curb global warming,” said Cynthia Giles, Director of CLF’s Rhode Island Advocacy Center.
Also receiving praise were two members of the Rhode Island House who introduced resolutions requesting Gov. Carcieri to reduce global warming pollution from power plants. The resolutions were introduced by Rep. Peter (D-Warwick) and Rep. Gallison (D-Portsmouth, Bristol).
The RGGI pact reduces global warming pollution by requiring power plants across the region to gradually reduce the pollution they emit. 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 – for example, to implement energy efficiency measures – could result in reduced energy costs to consumers.
“We simply can’t afford to let this opportunity pass by. If Rhode Island doesn’t join RGGI, our consumers will be missing out on funding for energy efficiency and pollution reduction measures,” said Sheila Dormody of Clean Water Action. “We urge Gov. Carcieri to join RGGI without further delay.”
Other states already signed onto the pact include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont.
