Day: April 20, 2012

Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed and Congressman David Cicilline will join Ocean State Action, Clean Water Action for its annual Earth Day Breakfast on Monday morning when local environmental leaders are honored.

Whitehouse, the only member of the delegation being recognized for his work on stewardship efforts, is being recognized because he “successfully shepherded that National Endowment of the Oceans through the Senate” and he “teamed with Senator Lautenberg to make a public push for adequate disclosure of chemicals that the EPA has determined to pose a risk through public exposure.”

Also being honored are:

Sheila Dormody is the former Rhode Island State Director for Clean Water Action, leaving this position in 2011 to be Providence’s first Sustainability Director. Her legislative accomplishments range from an electronics take-back program to diesel emissions reductions. In addition to these advancements in public health protections, Sheila has worked tirelessly to bring together environmental advocates to develop collaborative and innovative solutions through groups such as the Environmental Council of Rhode Island, Coalitions for Water Security and the Coalition for Transportation Choices.

Joe Neild, as the Director of Public Works for the City of Central Falls, has been a leader on the Rhode Island Product Stewardship Council, which consists of municipal officials working to address Rhode Island’s solid waste problems through extended producer responsibility programs. He has testified before the House Environment and Natural Resources and the Senate Environment and Agriculture committees to emphasize to legislators the strain that our current solid waste management plan places on municipalities and the need for reform.

Bari George, Founder of Bike Newport, has changed the face of biking in Newport. Establishing Bike Newport in 2011, Bari has not only grown the organization, but has engaged the City on Newport in improving bike friendliness, safety, access, courtesy, health, fitness, enterprise and planning. The mission of Bike Newport is to improve, encourage and facilitate bicycling in Newport for the health and well-being of our youth and families and as a viable and enjoyable method of transportation for residents and visitors.

The breakfast is from 8:30 to 10 at the Aspray Boathouse in Pawtuxet Village. It is being catered by The Dinner Dame and Bob Walsh, of NEARI, will emcee the events. Suggested donations of $50 are requested or $20 for students or low income people.