From the Audubon Society of Rhode Island:
House Bill No. 5315, sponsored by Rep. Brien, entitled, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY proposes to allow burning of garbage in Woonsocket. Air pollutants, including potential dioxins plus increased acid rain and fog accompany incineration.
Burning garbage to generate energy is inefficient and unhealthy.
Air pollutants don't know town boundaries. This is not just a Woonsocket issue.
Current RI General Law says:
R.I.G.L. §23-19-3 declares that the "ultimate solid waste management objective of the state is to maximize recycling and reuse of solid waste."
R.I.G.L. §23-19-3(16) declares that it is a policy of the state that "incineration of solid waste is the most costly method of waste disposal with known and escalating costs that would place substantial and unreasonable burdens on both state and municipal budgets to the point of seriously jeopardizing the public's interest." (emphasis added).
Air pollutants move.
Your taxes or disposal fees are at risk.
Please call or email your State Representative to express your concerns. To find your state rep use the links in the right-hand column.
Use this sample letter/ talking points:
Dear Rep. or Sen. _____________________:
As your constituent, I am concerned about the H-5315, proposing a municipal waste incinerator for Woonsocket.
Woonsocket claims it will help their finances, but I am concerned about my family's health.
Incinerating municipal waste can create dioxins, increase the acidity of atmospheric moisture (rain & snow), and vaporize toxic elements in the trash.
I wonder whether there will be sufficient enforcement in DEM, given recent budget cuts, to protect air quality from this proposed facility. Air does not recognize town boundaries.
We live in the "air shed" of a Woonsocket incinerator.
I think about the transportation of toxic ash from this plant, potentially through our communities.
Please oppose this legislation.
Thank you, [your name]
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If you would like more information on this important issue or help in contacting your representative, please contact me directly.
Please share this information with friends and neighbors by using the "forward email" button below or spread the word on Facebook.
Sincerely,
Eugenia Marks
Senior Director of Policy
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Contact your representative
Find the contact info. for your state representatives by clicking on the links below:
Your Representative
Your Senator
Just scroll down to "View general voter information", enter your address, and hit search. That's it!
You can click on each official's name to get all their contact info and other details.
When you feel strongly about an issue, let them know-it really does make a difference.
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Ed. note: There is a hearing today on this bill in the House Committee on Municipal Government at the Rise of the House (after they meet in their session this afternoon), which will be somewhere around 4:30 or 5:00pm.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
NOTICE OF MEETING
| DATE: Thursday, June 16, 2011 |
| TIME: Rise of the House |
| PLACE: House Lounge |
SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION
House Bill No. 5315
BY Brien
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY {LC258}
02/09/2011 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government
03/24/2011 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
03/24/2011 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
06/16/2011 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
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