As the new home of RIPIRG's environmental work, Environment Rhode Island can be contacted regarding this news release.
In a great victory for the
environment and the economy, Governor Carcieri signed the Clean Energy bill
on June 29th.
The law requires utilities to purchase an increasing percentage of renewable
energy every year, ultimately reaching 16 percent by 2020. Currently about two
percent of Rhode Island’s energy comes from renewable sources and the other
98 percent comes from far away fossil fuels that cause environmental, economic
and other damages. The benefits of renewable energy include: environmental benefits,
local energy production, job growth and zero fuel costs.
“Taking control of our energy use is going to put us on the path towards
a cleaner and more reliable energy future,” stated Kate Canada, Advocate
for RIPIRG, the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group. “Renewable
energy is developed in Rhode Island and New England which means we’ll need
to get less of our energy from foreign and dirty sources. We applaud the House
and Senate for bringing more renewable energy to Rhode Island.”
In addition to the environmental benefits, the bill also promotes economic development
and job creation, which brought the support of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, TPI
Composites and other businesses and labor unions in the state. Senator Bates
(R-Barrington) and Representative Paul Moura (D-Providence) have championed
this bill, and brought a large group of stakeholders to the table to support
the legislation.
“The Clean Energy Act means that everyone will have the benefit of renewable
energy every time they turn on the lights,” stated Erich Stephens, Executive
Director of People’s Power & Light, a non-profit energy consumers’
alliance. “This is a great victory for Rhode Island.”
“Everyone in Rhode Island has the right to a healthy environment,”
said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island Director of Clean Water Action. “The
Clean Energy Act is good public policy which will mean a cleaner environment
for all of us. We urge Gov. Carcieri to fully support this bill.”
Supporters of the Clean Energy Act include: RIPIRG, Clean Water Action, People’s
Power & Light, AFL-CIO, TPI Composites, Save the Bay, Environment Council
of Rhode Island, Sierra Club RI, Solar Wrights, Coalition for Consumer Justice
and over 90 other organizations throughout the state.
