Clean Air News

Rhode Island can join neighboring states by enacting polices that will clean up our air and energy use

As the new home of RIPIRG's environmental work, Environment Rhode Island can be contacted regarding this news release.

PROVIDENCE—On Earth Day, 2004, Governor Carcieri and the General Assembly have a number of policies currently before them that, if enacted, would protect Rhode Island's environment, put us in line with our neighboring states, and foster economic development. RIPIRG, Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group, is calling upon our elected officials to use Earth Day as a springboard and commit to promoting environmentally, and economically, friendly policies that will clean our air, water, and natural environment. RIPIRG is calling on Governor Carcieri to adopt the Clean Cars Standard, and the General Assembly to adopt the Clean Energy Act.

"Rhode Island can adopt two polices that would clean our air, put us on a smart energy path and line us up with what our neighbors have already committed to," stated Kate Canada, RIPIRG advocate. "With our national environmental policies under attack daily in Washington, D.C., we must act at the state level in order to protect Rhode Island's environment and public health."

Specifically, RIPIRG is calling on Governor Carcieri to join Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, and potentially Connecticut in adopting the California standards for new cars sold in Rhode Island. If enacted, the clean cars standard would make all new cars sold in the state cleaner, and would ensure that Rhode Islanders have more access to hybrid and other advanced technology vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius or new Ford Escape hybrid SUV. The Connecticut Senate has already passed a bill requiring Connecticut to adopt this standard, and the House is expected to vote on the bill on Earth Day. Governor Rowland has already pledged to sign the bill.

"The U.S. EPA just announced that Rhode Island's air does not meet basic public health standards," stated Matt Auten, RIPIRG's clean air advocate. "In order to bring us closer to having clean air, we must clean up cars, and the clean cars standard is the easiest way to do that."

In addition, the General Assembly has many bills being debated this session that would protect the environment. Specifically, RIPIRG is calling for the passage of the Clean Energy Act, which would bring 20 percent renewable energy to Rhode Island by 2020. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and 10 other states across the country have renewable energy requirements in place already.

The House last year unanimously passed the Clean Energy Act during the last days of the session, but the bill died in the Senate. This year, both the House and Senate have held hearings on the bill.

"Renewable energy has no pollution and is created locally—which is good for both the environment and the economy," stated Canada. "Increasing the amount of renewable energy we all use everyday when we turn on the lights will make us less dependent on dirty, and dangerous sources of power."

"This Earth Day, we urge Governor Carcieri and the General Assembly to adopt these specific policies that will clear the air, reduce pollution, and promote a cleaner economy," Canada concluded. "We need to join our neighbors, and stand up to attacks coming from Washington, in the fight for a clean environment."

Read the RIPIRG report, "Rhode Island's Environment At Risk".