11/26/2009

Gem Plumbing & Heating gets state aid to install solar-power system
PROVIDENCE — Since it was founded in 1949, the Gem Plumbing & Heating Co. hasn’t been afraid to experiment with new technologies.

11/22/2009

‘Pay-as-you-throw’ trash program proposed as a money saver
The head of WasteZero speaks to a handful of residents about charging for trash bags

Environmental Digest
Marine ecologist will speak on reefs at URI

11/19/2009

Smithfield council hires firm to gauge wind
SMITHFIELD — The Town Council Tuesday hired a company to study whether there are any locations in town suitable for a wind turbine.

11/18/2009

Smithfield council hires firm to gauge wind
SMITHFIELD — The Town Council Tuesday hired a company to study whether there are any locations in town suitable for a wind turbine.

11/16/2009

R.I. council has no say on LNG terminal in Mt. Hope Bay
Court rules agency waited too long to rule on terminal, which will require large-scale closing of bridges and boat traffic

11/14/2009

Wind power company hires permit adviser
Sandra T. Whitehouse will help Deepwater Wind apply for permit from state agency

National Grid, Deepwater continue power talks
National Grid expects decision next week on wind-power contract

11/13/2009

Tiverton soil to be used at landfill
The soil, contaminated with industrial pollutants, will be used as a cap at the state Central Landfill

11/12/2009

R.I. landfill director says no towaste-to-energy proposal
Michael O’Connell says incinerator would probably require a fee hike for cities and towns

11/10/2009

Study: Offshore winds a mega-resource
Experts say that, if constructed, thousands of turbines could more than power nine coastal states

11/09/2009

Needles in recycling pose danger at Central Landfill
State urges safe disposal of hypodermic needles in trash instead, to cut risk to recycling-line workers

U.S. judge upholds lobster pot limits
The ruling supports the state’s move to reduce and allocate the number of pot permits

11/08/2009

Environmental Digest:
Jamestown holding workshop on wind energy

11/07/2009

More stimulus money in R.I. for energy programs
Aid earmarked for renewable-energy projects for homes, businesses

11/06/2009

Former Save The Bay director named EPA regional administrator
H. Curtis “Curt” Spalding left Save The Bay in 2008

Governor vetoes R.I. saltwater fishing license
Governor calls proposed $7 fishing license “excessively intrusive”

11/04/2009

Grant to speed production of methane energy plant
$15 million will go toward construction of a larger methane plant at state Central Landfill

DEM OKs cleanup; Cranston to buy property with half-built plant
The work, to remove contaminated soil, is a precursor to the city buying the property

11/03/2009

State explores feasibility of selling or leasing Central Landfill
Carcieri spokeswoman says there could be an opportunity that would be beneficial to taxpayers

11/02/2009

R.I. to distribute $2.3 million in federal aid for energy-efficiency projects
State program aims at weatherizing homes heated by oil or propane

10/31/2009

In R.I.'s South County, 1 million oysters and counting / Video
The goal is to seed every South County salt pond.

11/01/2009

In Rhode Island the luxury market goes green
Luxury-home developer Nick Downes, of Middletown, says that from now on, all of his projects will be designed to meet LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — specifications, a set of standards formed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

10/30/2009

Study of Providence children: Even slightly high lead levels hurt abilities
Half the Providence students in a new study fell short of reading readiness standards

10/28/2009

$7 license fee not popular with saltwater fishermen
$7 license fee not popular with saltwater anglers, but won’t keep them away from the ocean

10/27/2009

R.I.’s urban children to get nature education
Children from urban areas will get to explore nature firsthand through a federal grant the Audubon Society of Rhode Island has received to promote the study of environmental science.

10/25/2009

Watching the changes in Narragansett Bay for half a century
For 50 years a unique scientific survey has demonstrated dramatic changes in the life of Narragansett Bay.

Worker’s firing stirs up ‘hornet’s nest’ at R.I. State House
On the Friday before Labor Day, Nathan Hannon told his bosses at Rhode Island’s trash agency that he was headed to Westerly in the afternoon to give an elementary school presentation about recycling.

Groups say fired R.I. worker never made visits he reported
Nathan Hannon reported three trips during the summer to the Newport YMCA as part of his job as education coordinator for the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.

Worker’s firing stirs up ‘hornet’s nest’ at R.I. State House
On the Friday before Labor Day, Nathan Hannon told his bosses at Rhode Island’s trash agency that he was headed to Westerly in the afternoon to give an elementary school presentation about recycling.

Environmental Digest
Reducing the carbon footprint

In South Kingstown, sounding the alarm on climate change
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Concern about climate change and man’s impact on that change drew more than 40 people to the Peace Dale Congregational Church Saturday, where a Swiss-born piano teacher with a passion for environmental stewardship talked about global warming and what can be done about it.

Groups say fired R.I. worker never made visits he reported
Nathan Hannon reported three trips during the summer to the Newport YMCA as part of his job as education coordinator for the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.

Worker’s firing stirs up ‘hornet’s nest’ at R.I. State House
On the Friday before Labor Day, Nathan Hannon told his bosses at Rhode Island’s trash agency that he was headed to Westerly in the afternoon to give an elementary school presentation about recycling.

10/23/2009

R.I. General Treasurer seeks to collect on Resource Recovery Corporation’s insurance policies
R.I.’s treasurer says the state should act; a rival, Patrick C. Lynch, says he’s playing politics.

EPA, First Student reach settlement over bus emissions
First Student agrees to retrofit buses with equipment that will reduce harmful emissions and will install GPS-based systems on buses to track their idling.

Utility’s letter says it’s willing to resume wind-energy talks
National Grid cites some conditions for an agreement with Deepwater Wind.

10/22/2009

Survey shows stronger support for wind turbines at other sites in Narragansett
A survey of 430 Narragansett residents conducted last summer by the state Department of Environmental Management found significant support for installing at least one wind turbine on public land at Black Point. However, each of the four other sites in town being considered received greater support.

R.I.’s energy programs recognized
A national report released Wednesday ranks Rhode Island 9th in the nation in energy-efficiency efforts.

Weatherization services available
The services are being offered through community action agencies to low-income households.

Group marks toxic discharges into waterways
PROVIDENCE — An environmental advocacy group Wednesday complained about toxic chemicals being discharged into the state’s waterways at a news conference, but then conceded that most of the pollution came from a company that moved its manufacturing operations out of the state last year.

10/21/2009

Environmentalists decry Black Pt. turbine plan
Six groups send a letter to the governor arguing that the public land shouldn’t be used as a wind turbine site.

Environmentalists decry Black Pt. turbine plan
Six groups send a letter to the governor arguing that the public land shouldn’t be used as a wind turbine site.

10/18/2009

Environmental Digest
Schools encouraged to apply for awards

10/17/2009

R.I. preservation society plans awards
The commission will hold its 2009 awards ceremony on Oct. 29 at which 16 people and preservation projects will be honored.

10/15/2009

Energy Office distributes $15 million in stimulus funds
The stimulus funds will be used largely to help weatherize the homes of low-income residents.

Rescued turtle sent to N.E. Aquarium
The 175-pound loggerhead sea turtle, rescued this week on Cape Cod, is at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

10/11/2009

Cyclo-cross is a lot more than just riding a bike
Races and a trade show continue today at Roger Williams Park.

Environmental Digest
Lead-hazard seminar

10/10/2009

Power program producing savings
Brown students install compact fluorescent bulbs in low- and moderate-income homes.

10/07/2009

R.I. awards $135 million in water-supply loans to communities
Because federal money is involved, the communities must commit to the projects by Feb. 17.

10/06/2009

Potter League’s new animal shelter wins environmental-design award
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — From the ground-hugging perspective of Panda, an 11-week old puppy, the new $8-million building of the Potter League for Animals may not be home, but it’s a luxury hotel in comparison to the high-kill shelter in North Carolina where he started out.

10/05/2009

Blue Cross goes green with new office tower
The new 13-story office building is good for the workers, the city and the environment, the insurer says.

10/04/2009

Environmental news briefs
Reporters honored

10/03/2009

Utility fined $18 million over Pawtucket mercury spill
A federal judge fines Southern Union for its role in a mercury spill in Pawtucket in 2004.

Utility fined $18 million over Pawtucket mercury spill
A federal judge fines Southern Union for its role in a mercury spill in Pawtucket in 2004.

09/30/2009

Students behind emergency-planning Web site for families
The STEP program was created by two North Providence teachers in cooperation a FEMA official.

State high court hears appeal on Champlin’s Marina expansion
The expansion was approved after the votes of three members of the CRMC were disqualified.

09/27/2009

Smaller cities seen leading the way in urban agriculture
Saturday’s Providence Sustainability Festival offered eclectic events and some positive visions for the future.

09/28/2009

Diversity Calendar: Sept. 28