By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff
PROVIDENCE — Hundreds of environmental bills are introduced each year in the General Assembly. Most go nowhere and simply die in committee. This year, however, saw many bills make their way into law.
Here’s what passed:
Energy
assistance: The
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Enhancement Plan will beexpanded throughout
the year for certain groups.
Virtual
net metering allows for shared
renewable-energy projects for people without the space or funds for a
stand-alone project.
Renewable
Energy Standard: The program that requires annual increases in the amount of
renewable energy in the mix of electricity delivered to homes and businesses
was extended from 2019
to 2035.
Renewable
Energy Fund: The Commerce RI fund that provides grants to small- and
medium-size solar projects was extended from 2017
to 2027. The program is funded through a surcharge on electricity bills.
A consumer website will list prices and policies for third-party electricity sellers. Here’s the bill.
Compost: Schools and research institutions that
generate at least 52 tons of waste annually join institutions such as grocery
stores that began managing and composting food scrap this year. Schools must comply by Jan. 1,
2018.
Open-space referendums
typically occur every other year and are popular with voters. If approved in
November, the $35 million Green Economy Bond will be set aside for bike paths,
open space, brownfields and stormwater management.
Developers, builders
and private equity firms were
given a boost with the passage of the wetland buffer bill and the Tiverton casino.
Light
bulb take-back program creates a
statewide collection for compact florescent light bulbs. The program is funded
by light-bulb manufactures and managed by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery
Corporation. The program starts in 2020.
Lead
water testing will
be expanded to schools
and day-care centers. Lead-safe rules also comply with federal building built after 1960.
Hemp
farming: The Hemp Growth Act allows
hemp farming through a special state license.
Ocean
acidification: The
House will create a 13-member commission to study the impacts
of ocean acidification on Rhode Island. A report is due no later than April 1,
2017.
Flood
audit: The
House approved a commission to
assess flood risks in Rhode Island.
Pollinators: The House approved a working group to
investigate how studies on declining bee populations can help improve farming
practices in Rhode Island. A written report from the Department of
Environmental Management is due by Feb. 15, 2017.
Animal
cruelty: The
penalty for malicious harm to an animal was increased from not
more than two years in jail to not more than five years in jail and 50 hours of
community service. A prohibition on the
use of bullhooks on elephants is on its way to Gov. Gina Raimondo's desk.
Raimondo already signed a ban on the sale and
trade of shark fins.
Seals: The harbor seal is poised to be become
Rhode Island’s official marine mammal.
Outdoor
dog dining: If
restaurants want to, they can now officially allow leashed dogs
in outdoor dining areas.
RIPTA
board: The
seven-member board of directors for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
must have one regular rider and one person with a disability. Here’s the bill.
Here are a few bills that didn't advance:
The
proposed Burrillville power plant received a boost when the
Senate Judiciary Committee delivered the rare “recommends no passage” to legislation that
would have allowed residents to vote on a tax agreement.
GMO bills died in
committee as they have for the past five years.
Consumer
product restrictions on bisphenol A, formaldehyde in children’s products and flame retardants in furniture died in committee.
Fireworks restrictions passed
the House but weren't heard in the Senate.
Geoengineering restrictions died
in committee.
Quarry regulations in
Charlestown and Westerly died in committee.
Bans on
plastic bags,
single-use water bottles and polystyrene died in committee. Here’s the bill.
Ten
million dollars for a Pawtucket and Central Falls commuter rail station fund
died in committee.
Tree
pollution: A bill to fine
neighbors for wayward leaves and shrubs passed the Senate but didn't get a
hearing in the House.