Get Off Oil News Releases

Environment Rhode Island’s main priorities include reducing air pollution and spurring our economy through supporting a plan to reduce Rhode Island’s dependence on petroleum, keeping our waterways clean by banning single use plastic checkout bags, and supporting a suite of environmental policies to preserve open spaces and protect Narragansett Bay.

With roughly 52 thousand Rhode Island families taking to the road to visit family and friends this Thanksgiving, a new Environment Rhode Island report finds that more fuel efficient cars would make significant cuts in oil use and save Rhode Island travelers roughly $800 thousand at the gas pump this Thanksgiving holiday alone. The report comes on the heels of an Obama administration proposal of a 54.5 miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency standard for new cars and light trucks by model year 2025.

With national debate growing around issues like the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and government subsidies to big oil companies––and with petroleum prices continuing to gouge Rhode Island families at the pump and on their heat bills––Environment Rhode Island hosted a forum entitled Get Off Oil featuring U.S. Senators Reed and Whitehouse along with experts on energy, health, and the environment.

The Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is helping states from Rhode Island to Maryland to Maine meet their energy challenges by providing investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, cutting pollution and curbing dependence on fossil fuels, according to a report released today by Environment Rhode Island.