News Reports

Energy Sprawl Crowds Out Southern N.E.’s Farmland and Forests

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Scott Millar, manager of community technical assistance for Grow Smart Rhode Island, said solar panels on rooftops, industrial land, landfills and brownfields would minimize environmental damage. He noted that crash-strapped municipalities would be eager to rent vacant and underused development space to renewable-energy developers.

“We need to take a hard look at what we’re proposing,” the former Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management staffer said. “We shouldn’t be sacrificing farms and forests.”

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Narragansett Tribe seeks injunction to stop work on Providence Viaduct

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The properties, which have all been acquired by the state, are the Salt Pond Archaeological Preserve in Narragansett, the former Providence Boys Club Camp Davis in Charlestown, and the Chief Sachem Nighthawk property on South County Trail in Charlestown. The DOT demanded that the tribe waive its sovereign immunity on the parcels and agree to make them subject to civil and criminal state laws.

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Mystic Rally Feb 11 Tom banner

Westerly Sun: Rail plan opponents step up pressure

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., emceed the event. “It’s not about partisan politics, it’s about doing smart and wise planning,” he said. “This rerouting bypass is half-baked, harebrained and it will never happen because the costs are so astronomical — in fact, there’s no reliable estimate.”

He said the design took no account of environmental damage, historic preservation, and local economic impact.

“This is a fun fantasy for the Washington, D.C., bureaucrat planners but it’s a nightmare for all of us who have to live with this proposal,” Blumenthal said. “You need to be heard and we’re going to make that you are heard and that Tier I is history.”

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Rob Simmons: Invest in Amtrak safety, technology, not a bypass

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Testimony submitted to the Transportation Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly by Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons.

We are adamantly opposed to the southeastern bypass and will fight it every way we can. The future of our historic towns cannot be negotiated away for a few minutes of convenience for the Boston to New York traveler who will not even get off for a visit.

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Proposed Bypass will cross above where train is in photo

Raimondo says she’s against Bypass before State House rally

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About 200 Charlestown, Westerly and Narraganset Tribal residents traveled to the State House Wednesday afternoon to participate in a rally opposing the plan for the bypass.

But before the rally started, a private meeting with Raimondo gave Westerly and Charlestown town council members and the region’s state legislators to hear concerns about the project.

“She heard us and she had done her homework and knew the issues,” said Charlestown Town Council President Virginia Lee after the meeting. “She took a very firm stand.”

Raimondo did not attend the rally, but she released a statement indicating that while she was in favor of the inclusion of Providence as a major hub on the Northeast Corridor, she would not support the bypass.

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Cows in field

Yes On 6 – Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce: Land preservation becomes strategy to build economy

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An investment that benefits you and the economy by protecting Rhode Island’s special places and farmland, creating world-class parks and bikeways, preventing stormwater pollution of water resources, and helping clean up polluted properties for safe and prosperous development. These funds have a proven track record of success in boosting the state’s economic interests while maximizing the value of Rhode Island’s natural resources.

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