The leader of our federal government is set on sacrificing the health of citizens and the planet for the cause of business interests by supporting dangerous pipeline construction, offshore drilling and the opening up of protected lands to fracking.

Our state needs to act now to fight these efforts.  Why? Pollution from fossil fuels hurts our citizens. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Providence rated 14th in the “Most Challenging Capitals to Live with Asthma (2015).” That is worse than Los Angeles or New York City, and reflects the poor air quality in our city. This pollution is due to power plants in and near Providence and auto emissions.  

Why else? The warming of the oceans due to climate change also endangers our state economy. Lobsters are migrating further north and this endangers the Rhode Island lobster fishing industry. Extreme storms will increase in number, and already cost our state huge amounts of money in repairs.  Sea levels are rising at a faster rate than was estimated even a few years ago (currently 3.4mm per year according to NASA). We are surrounded by ocean and depend on it for our income (including tourism) and our recreation.  

What can we do? The Energize RI Bill (H5369/S365), introduced this session, would reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and drive alternative energy investment within Rhode Island. It would do this by charging fossil fuel providers a fee when they sell fuel to Rhode Island companies (including electricity producers, gasoline stations, and heating oil companies). 70% of the money collected will go directly back to Rhode Island residents to help offset increased cost of goods and services that companies may pass on to us, and most  of the remaining money will go to a program to weatherize buildings and this, as well as increased infrastructure for alternative energy, is estimated to create 1,000 jobs in the first 2 years of the program.  Our small state can lead the way in the journey away from fossil fuel dependence, and keep our own money in our state. Let’s show the rest of the country how it’s done! Christine Rayner, MD

Providence, R.I.