NEW: Lawmakers Pass Ucci Bills Calling for Oversight Over Resource Recovery Corporation
Monday, June 18, 2012
The General Assembly passed two pieces of legislation during its last legislative session day related to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), a quasi-public agency charged with disposing of the state’s trash and recycling.
“Legislation doesn’t pass without efforts from both the House and the Senate, and I’d like to thank Sen. Frank Lombardo for working with me to better the relationships between local municipalities and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation,” said Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston), prime House sponsor of the RIRRC bills. “We’ve passed some good legislation that will both protect our constituents and increase efficiency in our landfill facilities.”
Sponsored by Representative Ucci, the first piece of legislation (2012-H 8205Aaa) sets forth the composition, purpose and powers of the citizens advisory board to the RIRRC. Under the provisions of the bill, the Citizens Advisory Board will consist of 12 members, six of whom will be appointed by the governor. The remaining members will be divided evenly among the towns of Cranston, Scituate and Johnston. The mayor and Town Council of Johnston will each appoint three of those members.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
The role of the panel will be to advise RIRRC on rules and regulations, legislation affecting solid waste management, resource recovery and recycling, effects of existing recovery and recycling programs, all landfill expansion plans, all single expenditures which exceed $500,000, all land clearing proposals of over one-quarter of an acre of land in the landfill, proposed construction of all new buildings of the landfill and additions to existing landfill buildings that exceed 200 square feet. The board will annually report their findings to the governor and General Assembly leadership. Additionally, at least two members of the board shall be appointed to attend all meetings of the RIRRC.
“This is one of the most important bills in relation the landfill that we’ve passed in this legislative session,” said Representative Ucci. “It’s been a difficult year for many of the residents who surround the landfill because of the air quality problems. But we came together, we created the Special House Commission on Rhode Island Resource Recovery and we took action. This bill is part of that action – it puts some of these issues into the hands of the citizens who are most affected by the landfill. Furthermore, their findings will help legislators and the RIRRC build good policy that both protects residents and efficiently provides services to the people in this state.”
The second bill (2012-H 8189), also sponsored by Representative Ucci, makes it unlawful for RIRRC facilities to use construction debris or organic material as cover material. The legislation defines “construction debris” to include painted, treated and coated wood or wood products, coverings, plaster, drywall, plumbing fixtures, non-asbestos insulation, roofing shingles, other roof coverings and glass. Organic materials include paper, wood, food waste, leaves and yard waste.
“This bill is a pre-emptive strike against any surface or odor problems that could surface from these trash facilities,” the representative said. “These materials should not be used as cover.”
Representative Ucci is the chairman of the Special House Commission on Rhode Island Resource Recovery, which has been investigating ways to put an end to the strong odor that has been emanating from the landfill in Johnston. The commission held three meetings this year, working to address the problems causing the odor, ensure communication with the public about the problem and search for solutions used by other landfills.
Co-sponsors of both bills include Representatives Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston), Peter J. Petrarca (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield), Michael J. Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston) and John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston). Sen. Frank Lombardo III (D-Dist. 25, Johnston) sponsored the Senate companion (2012-S 3029) to the second House bill. Sen. James E. Doyle II (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) co-sponsored it.
