Battle Lines Drawn Over Last-Minute Push for Controversial Environmental Bill
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
The battle lines are drawn over a last-minute push to pass a controversial environmental bill in Rhode Island.
On one side are corporate interests claiming the legislation allows for a new technology to treat plastic waste for reuse.
On the other side are opponents who say it allows a company to circumvent the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's (DEM) regulations and allows the burning of plastic.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA growing coalition of environmentalists and community groups are mobilizing to oppose the legislation called “Advanced Recycling."
Opposing the Legislation
RIDEM opposes the legislation — one version of the bill has already passed the Senate and another is pending in the House.
"Our interpretation is that if it were to pass, DEM would not have authority to require permitted activities or otherwise regulate these facilities under our solid waste regulations. Also, how much these facilities would be regulated under our air pollution control regulations is unclear. As the letter indicates, we raised concerns about the original bill. The Sub A adds limitations on where an advanced recycling/pyrolysis facility could be built and requires additional air quality monitoring for any such facility. Our concerns with 2788 Sub A Senate bill remain the same as they were initially," said Michael Healey, spokesperson for DEM.
"DEM believes that it sets a bad precedent to provide regulatory exemptions to a specific technology. I don’t believe the House version of the bill has received a hearing yet, but our testimony would be the same. The solid waste permitting process should allow an opportunity for public comment, authority to set conditions on the overall facility construction and operation, and provide financial assurances that closure would be done properly should the facility run into difficulties. Given that this is an innovative technology, we believe these measures are important," adds Healey.
The Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI), People’s Port Authority, environmental justice organizations, and community members issued a statement on Monday stating the groups have “strong opposition to toxic, plastic burning or so-called 'advanced recycling' bills (S2788/H8089) which undermine efforts to protect environmental justice communities and meet Act on Climate goals.”
“The Senate passed S2788 (sponsored by Senator Lombardo)—which contradicts the proposed Environmental Justice Act, also passed by the Senate. The House companion bill 8089 (sponsored by Representative Casey) would exempt 'advanced recycling' facilities from solid waste laws and regulations. High-heat plastics-burning technologies, including pyrolysis and 'advanced recycling,' are toxic and climate-damaging, and often sited on the backs of frontline communities who are already burdened by pollution and experiencing deep inequities,” states the coalition.
The groups are holding a press conference on Tuesday at the State House.
Opponents scheduled to speak include Angel Ramos, People’s Port Authority; Terri Wright, Direct Action for Rights & Equality; Linda Perri, Washington Park Neighborhood Association; Dwayne Keys, South Providence Neighborhood Association; Kevin Budris, Conservation Law Foundation; and Priscilla De La Cruz, Environment Council of Rhode Island.
De La Cruz told GoLocal that the groups are worried that the facility will be located in an area like South Providence, which constantly battles for environmental justice for the community.
Supporters of the Legislation
American Chemistry Council sent out a message on Monday via the lobbying group New Harbor which stated, “Advanced recycling is a manufacturing process that uses different technologies to convert used plastics into virgin-quality new plastics that have been approved for use in the most sensitive applications, including food contact and medical uses. The process will help decrease plastic waste in Rhode Island’s Central Landfill, which is projected to be at capacity in the next decade. Advanced recycling supports continued progress toward eliminating waste and achieving sustainability goals and could double the plastics packaging recycling rate in the U.S. and Canada by 2030, according to a recent report by Closed Loop Partners, an investment and research firm."
And, Dave Chenevert, the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association of Manufacturers, wrote to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, "I received no negative comments from anyone regarding the intent of this legislation. Based on my discussion with these various organizations, RIMA is in full support of S-2539 and urge passage of this legislation."
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