Big climate plan for a small state. (Rhode Island).

Rapid global warming, generated by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG), is of great concern to Rhode Island--because of the potential of extreme weather, flooding (and permanent loss of) coastal areas, saltwater contamination of drinking water, and damage to crops.

CLF-RI is providing legal and policy support to develop climate-change legislation in the state. Specifically, the legislation includes Rhode Island's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation and "Feebate" (The Vehicle Efficiency Incentive Act). Feebate would provide a rebate to purchasers of fuel-efficient vehicles, and would impose a fee/surcharge on purchasers of gas-guzzlers, thereby providing an incentive for the purchase of fuel-efficient cars. An RPS ensures that a predetermined minimum amount of renewable energy is included in the "portfolio" of electricity sources utilized by every supplier of electricity to homes and businesses. The percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources gradually increases over time, putting the electricity industry on a path toward increasing sustainability by providing legal and policy support to its advocates.

A resolution to reduce GHG emissions in the region was agreed to in 2001 by the New England governors and Canadian premiers. It identified three key sources of emissions: transportation, energy, and buildings and facilities. Feebate (transportation) and RPS (energy) address two of the three. Based on findings and data gathered by a stakeholder process, Christopher D'Ovidio drafted the Feebate legislation. He and representatives of four other non-governmental organizations drafted and submitted the RPS legislation. D'Ovidio and CLF-RI will continue to support the sponsors of Feebate and RPS-throughout the legislative process.