That’s the opinion of the Environment Council of Rhode Island, a coalition of 62 different groups that protect the environment in the Ocean State.
“While ECRI has deep respect for Senator Whitehouse’s work in the U.S. Senate to address climate change,” the group said in a prepared statement sent widely to local media. “ECRI regrets that in his Jauary 22 interview Senator Whitehouse misrepresented the views of Rhode Island’s environmental community.”
In an interview with WPRI’s Ted Nesi, Whitehouse said the “larger environmental community” understands why he supports a methane gas-fueled power plant in Rhode Island, which he says would help lower energy prices in the Northeast.
“There’s a small group of people who would like to have me change my position,” Whitehouse told Nesi. “From the larger environmental movement – the Save the Bays and the League of Conservation Voters and the Nature Conservancies and all that – there’s no blowback whatsoever. They understand the difference between the national and the local concern.”
Said the Environment Council of Rhode Island today: “To be clear: ECRI strongly opposes the proposal to build a new, long-lived fossil-fuel plant in Rhode Island, because building this plant would make it impossible for the state to meet its short-, medium-, and long-term goals for carbon-emission reductions.”
On September 14, ECRI, of which the Nature Conservancy is a member, took an official position on the Burrillville proposal:
Climate change is the most urgent problem facing Rhode Island and, indeed, the world. One of the major causes of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and natural gas, to make energy. In this context, the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) strongly opposes the proposal to build a new, long-lived natural gas fueled electricity generator in Burrillville. ECRI supports the quickest transition to clean, renewable energy and greater energy efficiency; this is not the time to be building new fossil fuel-fired power plants.
Steve Ahlquist reported subsequent to the WPRI interview that Save The Bay and the League of Conservation Voters had no position on the proposed methane power plant. He wrote, “Given that two of the three groups that Whitehouse named have no position on the project, and the third group, “the Nature Conservancies and all that” doesn’t specify any particular agency, it appears that Whitehouse’s answer was intended to minimize the importance of local opposition to the power plant, not honestly appraise the support for natural gas infrastructure expansion that exists in the wider environmental community.”
The proposed gas-fueled power plant in Burrillville has exposed a rift between local environmental activists and the elected Democrats they often support. Governor Gina Raimondo was an early and ardent supporter of the project. Whitehouse was more measured. In August, his office told WPRI he was “still reviewing the details of the proposed power plant.”
The proposed power plant opposition has been led by grassroots activists, some of whom associate with a group called FANG or Fighting Against Natural Gas.
]]>With the Rhode Island General Assembly considering legislation to cap global warming pollution, expand renewable energy, ban plastic bags, implement statewide composting, and more, this event couldn’t come at a better time. Join environmental advocates, activists, organizations, and concerned citizens to lobby for Rhode Island’s environment and move key policies forward. All are invited, and RSVPs are encouraged.
We’ll have informational tables to educate lawmakers about environmental issues, a speaking program including the House and Senate environment committee chairs and the DEM director, and a group lobbying effort on ECRI’s 2014 legislative agenda, with a focus on six priority bills:
To RSVP to lobby and/or request table space at the event, contact Channing atcjones@environmentrhodeisland.org or 684-1668. You can also RSVP and share the event on Facebook.
Wednesday, April 30th; 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Rhode Island State House (82 Smith St. in Providence), main rotunda
Timeline:
– 2:30: participants begin to arrive, tablers set up tables
– 3:00: Lobbying 101 orientation and issue overview
– 3:30: speaking program including State Rep. Art Handy, State Sen. Sue Sosnowski, and DEM Director Janet Coit
– 3:45: group lobbying effort on above bills and/or other environmental issues
~ 4:15: environmental leaders honored on House and Senate floor
As the coalition representing Rhode Island’s environmental community, with over 60 member organizations and individuals, ECRI’s mission is to serve as an effective voice for developing and advocating policies and laws that protect and enhance Rhode Island’s environment.
State lawmakers have a chance this spring to distinguish Rhode Island as an environmental leader. As a dense coastal state, Rhode Island faces a unique set of environmental challenges and opportunities. Protecting Rhode Island’s environment––our air, water, and special places––will improve our quality of life and provide new chances for growth and innovation.
]]>The Climate Change Colloquy for Gubernatorial Candidates will focus on why climate change should be a top priority for state action. The program will consist of presentations from John King, Professor of Oceanography at URI, and Timmons Roberts, Professor of Environmental Studies at Brown, followed by an opportunity for candidates to explain how they would address climate change mitigation and adaptation if elected.
Check out the event on Facebook.
Contact: Greg Gerritt, environmentcouncil@earthlink.net or (401) 621-8048
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