Save the Bay Applauds RI Infrastructure Bank: Voices serious concerns about lack of Environmental Enforce Capacity in Governor’s proposed budget

PROVIDENCE, RI  – Save The Bay applauds Governor Gina Raimondo and General Treasurer Seth Magaziner for the creation of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank included in the Governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2016.

“The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will help Narragansett Bay by expanding the capacity of cities, towns and commercial property owners to implement projects that will reduce stormwater pollution and flooding. It will also expand opportunities for homeowners to finance the removal of cesspools, which are a major source of pollution,” said Jonathan Stone, executive director of Save The Bay.

The RI Infrastructure Bank is a major expansion and re-branding of the RI Clean Water Finance Agency, which has operated a highly successful revolving loan fund for clean water projects and, more recently, road and bridge infrastructure projects.

“We commend Governor Raimondo and General Treasurer Magaziner for this creative and far-reaching approach to financing environmental infrastructure projects that will protect Rhode Island’s great natural assets – Narragansett Bay and our rivers, streams and ponds – and put Rhode Islanders to work in the process,” Stone said.

Save The Bay also supports other components of the RI Infrastructure Bank proposal, including new incentives for renewable energy projects and facilitation of the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated “brownfield” industrial sites. “The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will also provide a boost in Rhode Island’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the financing of energy-saving retrofits from public and private properties and will help redevelop old industrial sites in our urban centers. All of this is good for Rhode Island’s environment and economy,” said Stone.

On the other hand, Save The Bay is seriously concerned that Governor Raimondo’s proposed budget appears to perpetuate the severely constrained enforcement resources of the Department of Environmental Management. Fair, equitable and timely enforcement of environmental laws is critical to creating “a level playing field” and to ensure that businesses that fail to comply with the law do not gain an economic advantage over law abiding companies.

“We are deeply disappointed that the proposed budget does not increase staffing at the Department of Environmental Management to address documented deficiencies in enforcement capacity,” said Stone. “The Governor spoke passionately at her inaugural address about creating a level playing field for business. But the budget she presented does not provide the DEM with the additional staffing necessary to give businesses the confidence that environmental laws are enforced fairly and consistently. Rhode Islanders expect Narragansett Bay to be protected from pollution through enforcement of these laws,” he said. “We call upon the General Assembly to address this glaring need in the final budget.”

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