“There’s some pretty scarier stuff”

Urgency Called for Climate Change Mitigation

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org News staff

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Climate Change Commission, whose purpose is to prepare the state for environmental trouble, is looking for new leadership. Formed in 2010, the commission has progressed slowly, missing deadlines while attracting scarce attention from Gov. Lincoln Chafee or the General Assembly.

While much of the blame has fallen on a lack of staff and funding, Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, and Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, are hoping to raise the profile of the climate board and bring in more funds.

Handy recently delivered an updated version of the bill that shifts oversight of the commission from the Division of Planning to the Department of Administration or to the governor's office. At the recent hearing, Handy expressed an urgency for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for higher sea levels, warmer temperatures and harsher weather.

“There’s some pretty scarier stuff we need to keep our eyes open for,” Handy said.

An opportunity to address the problem is at hand, said Karina Lutz of People’s Power & Light, a buyer of renewable energy for electric customers. “It’s going to be much less expensive to avoid the worst effects of climate change than to clean up after it,” she said.

Handy said the commission tries to cut carbon emissions through reviewing energy-efficiency and renewable-energy policies. Lutz insisted that the commission adopt new targets for carbon emissions and sustainability in order to the steer process, especially since the state is updating its energy plan.

“We cannot afford to not be sustainable,” she said

Handy also discussed his Climate Solutions Act. The bill, modeled on Massachusetts legislation, seeks to cut Rhode Island's carbon dioxide emissions and overall fossil-fuel use, while modernizing energy infrastructure and helping the economy.

“By exercising a leadership role, Rhode Island will position its economy, educational institutions, technology centers, financial institutions and businesses to benefit from national and international efforts to reduce global warming pollution,” according to the bill.

The overall goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent of 1990 emissions by 2050. The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) would oversee setting 5-, 20- and 50-year carbon emission target as well as annual tracking of emissions. A working group would recommend solutions for reducing emissions. 

Goals include curbing vehicle emissions, creating market-based reduction incentives and creating new clean-energy jobs. Funding is expected from existing resources within the DEM and the Office of Energy Resources or through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

However, Handy noted that the DEM recently asked to have a reduced role in the new climate act to lessen the expected workload on its staff.

Both bills were held for another hearing to solve oversight issues. Handy said he wants the bills addressed in this session of the General Assembly, which is scheduled to end by June 30.