Lots of bills on the agenda for April 8. These bills were to have been considered on April 1, but that hearing was canceled. Topics include:
- Clean Energy Biofuels
- Ultra-low Sulfur and Biodiesel Heating Oil
- Green-Jobs-Green RI Program
- Green Buildings & Job Creation Act
- Waters and Navigation - Water Pollution
- Small Wind Energy Systems
- Regulating purchase of Renewable Energy
- Air Pollution - Wood Stoves without EPA certification in densely populated areas
- Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling
- Hazardous Waste Cleanup
- DEM, Health etc. Agencies work re MOA on Farm Issues
- Incineration of Waste
- Ban of Pesticide Avitrol
- Repeal Requiring City & Town Plans to Conform with State Guide Plan for Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds
- Eliminate State Mandated Point
Source Discharge Fees for Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants
Didn't list quite everything, especially a couple at the end that are vague, but may be important. Read on for details, watch what goes on in the legislature, and support sensible environmental legislation.
-- ed.
PLEASE NOTE: ROOM CHANGE
NOTICE OF MEETING
DATE: Thursday, April 8, 2010
TIME: Rise of the House
PLACE: House Lounge Room 205
SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION
House Bill No. 7065
BY Rice M, Naughton, Handy, Ferri, Marcello
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - CLEAN ENERGY BIOFUELS {LC131} (would establish new requirements for and otherwise promote the use of cleaner biofuels within the state. The act would establish a study commission to investigate the use and promotion of such fuels within the state)
01/12/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
01/20/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
01/20/2010 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
02/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
02/04/2010 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7201
BY Hearn, Edwards, Shallcross Smith, Marcello
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT {LC263} (would establish the Green Jobs-Green Rhode Island Program, the purpose of which would be to create and promote green jobs in RI and also to promote energy efficient construction and home modification)
01/26/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7262
BY Almeida, Carnevale, Slater, DeSimone, Diaz
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP {LC372} (would exempt from liability a person who in the normal course of governmental duties provides assistance or services in mitigating hazardous discharge but does not immunize a responsible party or a person who contracts with the responsible party)
01/28/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7263
BY Rice M, Naughton, Pollard, Walsh, Malik
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT -- DIVISIONS {LC865} (would authorize the dept of environmental management, agriculture division, to work in conjunction with the dept of health and other state agencies pursuant to a memorandum of agreement on farm and farm facility issues)
01/28/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7307
BY Brien, Edwards, MacBeth
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY {LC1037} (would facilitate the creation of a waste-to-energy facility)
02/02/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7406
BY Ferri, Segal, Fierro, Pacheco, Handy
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- INCINERATOR BAN {LC1275} ( would ban incinerators except those used to combust on-site generated solid waste)
02/09/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7442
BY Serpa, Vaudreuil
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT {LC1137} ( would require the department of environmental management to adopt rules and regulations prohibiting the distribution, sale or use of a pesticide known as Avitrol)
02/11/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7502
BY Newberry
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - THE RHODE ISLAND BAYS, RIVERS, AND WATERSHED - COORDINATION TEAM {LC1209} ( would repeal the provision of the general laws requiring cities and towns to amend their comprehensive plans to conform with the state guide plan for bays, rivers, and watersheds)
02/23/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7503
BY Newberry, MacBeth, Edwards
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - WATER POLLUTION {LC1227} ( would eliminate the state mandated point source discharge fees chargeable to municipal sewage treatment plants)
02/23/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7504
BY Segal, Rice M
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD {LC1476} ( would encourage the use of renewable energy resources but protect owners from incurring costs which would be beyond their capacity to maintain)
02/23/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7552
BY McNamara, Naughton, Ferri, Flaherty, Gemma
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT {LC229}
02/24/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7553
BY San Bento, Flaherty, Corvese, Petrarca, Kilmartin
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - UNIFORM RELOCATION PAYMENTS {LC1060} (would require an agency seeking to acquire a petroleum marine terminal for public use, to provide an alternative site which would be equal in size, include truck access to roads and highways and adhere to approved zoning and all site permits)
02/24/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7609
BY Ehrhardt
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- WATER POLLUTION {LC1365} (would have section 46-12-39.1 relating to "No discharge certificate decal - Required" expire on December 31, 2010 and have a new section relating to "No discharge sign - Required" take effect on January 1, 2011)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7652
BY Ucci, Menard
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - WATER POLLUTION {LC1916} (single -walled tanks and/or piping installed prior to 5/8/85 be permanently closed by 12/22/20, and / single -walled tanks and/or piping installed between 5/8/85 and 7/20/92 be permanently closed within 35 years of the date of installation)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7653
BY Handy, Ruggiero, Rice M, Vaudreuil
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ULTRA LOW SULFUR AND BIODIESEL HEATING OIL {LC1830}
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7715
BY Carnevale
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS {LC1897} (would allow the installation of small wind energy systems subject to regulations and standards)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7716
BY Handy
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - ELECTRONIC WASTE PREVENTION, REUSE AND RECYCLING ACT {LC1812} (would revise several reporting dates required under the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act/ also require collectors and recyclers of electronic waste to register annually with the department of environmental management)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7718
BY Handy, Gallison
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- AIR POLLUTION {LC977} (would require the phase-out of wood stoves without EPA certification in densely populated residential areas)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7720
BY Handy, Rice A, Williams, Slater, Ajello
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - ESTABLISHING A GREEN BUILDINGS AND JOB CREATION ACT {LC1616} (would require all public buildings to be constructed or renovated to meet Green Building requirements and provide for a revolving loan program for energy improvements)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7843
BY Sullivan
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS {LC2051} (would amend the provisions of the general laws which regulate the amount of renewable energy required to be purchased by those entities selling electric power in Rhode Island.)
03/02/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
NOTICE OF MEETING
DATE: Thursday, April 8, 2010
TIME: Rise of the House
PLACE: House Lounge Room 205
SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION
House Bill No. 7065
BY Rice M, Naughton, Handy, Ferri, Marcello
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - CLEAN ENERGY BIOFUELS {LC131} (would establish new requirements for and otherwise promote the use of cleaner biofuels within the state. The act would establish a study commission to investigate the use and promotion of such fuels within the state)
01/12/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
01/20/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
01/20/2010 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
02/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
02/04/2010 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7201
BY Hearn, Edwards, Shallcross Smith, Marcello
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT {LC263} (would establish the Green Jobs-Green Rhode Island Program, the purpose of which would be to create and promote green jobs in RI and also to promote energy efficient construction and home modification)
01/26/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7262
BY Almeida, Carnevale, Slater, DeSimone, Diaz
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP {LC372} (would exempt from liability a person who in the normal course of governmental duties provides assistance or services in mitigating hazardous discharge but does not immunize a responsible party or a person who contracts with the responsible party)
01/28/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7263
BY Rice M, Naughton, Pollard, Walsh, Malik
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT -- DIVISIONS {LC865} (would authorize the dept of environmental management, agriculture division, to work in conjunction with the dept of health and other state agencies pursuant to a memorandum of agreement on farm and farm facility issues)
01/28/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7307
BY Brien, Edwards, MacBeth
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY {LC1037} (would facilitate the creation of a waste-to-energy facility)
02/02/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7406
BY Ferri, Segal, Fierro, Pacheco, Handy
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- INCINERATOR BAN {LC1275} ( would ban incinerators except those used to combust on-site generated solid waste)
02/09/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7442
BY Serpa, Vaudreuil
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT {LC1137} ( would require the department of environmental management to adopt rules and regulations prohibiting the distribution, sale or use of a pesticide known as Avitrol)
02/11/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7502
BY Newberry
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - THE RHODE ISLAND BAYS, RIVERS, AND WATERSHED - COORDINATION TEAM {LC1209} ( would repeal the provision of the general laws requiring cities and towns to amend their comprehensive plans to conform with the state guide plan for bays, rivers, and watersheds)
02/23/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7503
BY Newberry, MacBeth, Edwards
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - WATER POLLUTION {LC1227} ( would eliminate the state mandated point source discharge fees chargeable to municipal sewage treatment plants)
02/23/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7504
BY Segal, Rice M
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD {LC1476} ( would encourage the use of renewable energy resources but protect owners from incurring costs which would be beyond their capacity to maintain)
02/23/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7552
BY McNamara, Naughton, Ferri, Flaherty, Gemma
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT {LC229}
02/24/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7553
BY San Bento, Flaherty, Corvese, Petrarca, Kilmartin
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - UNIFORM RELOCATION PAYMENTS {LC1060} (would require an agency seeking to acquire a petroleum marine terminal for public use, to provide an alternative site which would be equal in size, include truck access to roads and highways and adhere to approved zoning and all site permits)
02/24/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
03/04/2010 Scheduled for hearing
03/04/2010 Committee heard and continued
04/01/2010 Scheduled for consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7609
BY Ehrhardt
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- WATER POLLUTION {LC1365} (would have section 46-12-39.1 relating to "No discharge certificate decal - Required" expire on December 31, 2010 and have a new section relating to "No discharge sign - Required" take effect on January 1, 2011)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7652
BY Ucci, Menard
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - WATER POLLUTION {LC1916} (single -walled tanks and/or piping installed prior to 5/8/85 be permanently closed by 12/22/20, and / single -walled tanks and/or piping installed between 5/8/85 and 7/20/92 be permanently closed within 35 years of the date of installation)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7653
BY Handy, Ruggiero, Rice M, Vaudreuil
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ULTRA LOW SULFUR AND BIODIESEL HEATING OIL {LC1830}
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7715
BY Carnevale
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS {LC1897} (would allow the installation of small wind energy systems subject to regulations and standards)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7716
BY Handy
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - ELECTRONIC WASTE PREVENTION, REUSE AND RECYCLING ACT {LC1812} (would revise several reporting dates required under the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act/ also require collectors and recyclers of electronic waste to register annually with the department of environmental management)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7718
BY Handy, Gallison
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- AIR POLLUTION {LC977} (would require the phase-out of wood stoves without EPA certification in densely populated residential areas)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7720
BY Handy, Rice A, Williams, Slater, Ajello
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS - ESTABLISHING A GREEN BUILDINGS AND JOB CREATION ACT {LC1616} (would require all public buildings to be constructed or renovated to meet Green Building requirements and provide for a revolving loan program for energy improvements)
02/25/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
House Bill No. 7843
BY Sullivan
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS {LC2051} (would amend the provisions of the general laws which regulate the amount of renewable energy required to be purchased by those entities selling electric power in Rhode Island.)
03/02/2010 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
04/01/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
04/01/2010 Meeting postponed
04/08/2010 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
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