RI House Passes Act on Climate Following Heated Debate—Bill Now Goes to Senate
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation to update Rhode Island’s climate-emission reduction goals.
The legislation was opposed by a block of House Republicans — and thirteen democrats.
"This is an important bill for our state — with a significant impact for our citizens in years to come," said Rep. David Benett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) on the floor at the Rhode Island Veterans Auditorium on Tuesday in support of the legislation.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Let me tell what this bill does not do. It does not permit lawsuits against individuals or businesses. The bill will provide opportunities for jobs in the green economy. It will allow us to preserve the beauty of our state," said Bennett.
House Minority Leader Blake Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) who had been leading the criticism of the bill, spoke out about why he opposed the legislation as written.
"[Represenative] Blazejewski said we need to follow facts and science of climate change — that’s not going to be in dispute," said Filippi "It’s going to be about how do we address it. We the elected representatives are the appropriate individuals to regulate the actions of our neighbors, businesses, and municipalities. It’s clear this bill sets up a process where Rhode Island will be regulating a vast array of activities."
"This bill is a massive delegation of our legislative authority to a body of unelected bureaucrats -- it's morally wrong and a cop-out," he added.
The 2021 Act on Climate (2021-H 5445A) would make the state’s climate goals outlined in the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 requires the state to develop a plan to reduce all climate emissions from transportation, buildings and heating, and electricity used economywide in the state to 10 percent below 1990 levels this year, 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2040 and net-zero by 2050.
Support -- and Criticism
“The Act on Climate is a meaningful promise to our children that we will not continue destroying the earth they are inheriting. It lays the groundwork for long-range planning, committing to a practical, 30-year strategy for winding down carbon pollution alongside the rest of the developed world and embracing the new, cleaner technologies that become more effective, available and affordable each year,” said Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), the bill sponsor. “
The act would require the state’s Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council to update its plan for carbon reduction every five years, and include in it measures to provide for an equitable transition that addresses environmental injustices and public health inequities, as well as supports to ensure strong and fair employment as fossil-fuel industry jobs are replaced by green energy jobs. It also adds food security as an element to consider as the state continues to evaluate its plans to address climate change.
Members of the House pointed out that the state's own consultants showed that it would costed $50,000 to $100,000 per home to retrofit heating to electric.
"Some faceless bureaucrats are going to face people with a carrot or a stick to put electric heat in or by electric vehicles," said Rep. Patricia Morgan (R-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick), of what opponents said they believe will need to happen for the state to meet its declared mandates. 'That’s the only way we’ll meet the aggressive goals set out. It’s not our numbers that said $50K to $100K per unit."
The act also requires the creation of an online transparent public dashboard to track emissions reductions and sources of energy annually. After 2025, if the state does not meet its targets and comply with the act, the people of Rhode Island would be able to seek action in Providence Superior Court.
The bill passed the House on a 53-22 vote.
The bill now goes to Senate, which last week approved identical legislation (2021-S 0078A) sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown).
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