Big climate plan for a small state.

• Position: Rhode Island - Brief Article

Rapid global warming, generated by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG), is of great concern to Rhode Island--because of the potential of extreme weather, flooding (and permanent loss of) coastal areas, saltwater contamination of drinking water, and damage to crops.

CLF-RI is providing legal and policy support to develop climate-change legislation in the state. Specifically, the legislation includes Rhode Island's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation and "Feebate" (The Vehicle Efficiency Incentive Act). Feebate would provide a rebate to purchasers of fuel-efficient vehicles, and would impose a fee/surcharge on purchasers of gas-guzzlers, thereby providing an incentive for the purchase of fuel-efficient cars. An RPS ensures that a predetermined minimum amount of renewable energy is included in the "portfolio" of electricity sources utilized by every supplier of electricity to homes and businesses. The percentage of electricity that must come from renewable sources...