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PRESS RELEASE     Senate Minority Office                                       


SENATE MINORITY LEADER JESSICA DE LA CRUZ INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

STATE HOUSE, Providence, RI –Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz introduced legislation to amend the 2021 Act on Climate. This bipartisan legislation would require that the Climate Change Coordinating Council study and report on legislation or programs that are shifting environmental impacts of the use of carbon-free energy technologies onto impoverished and developing countries.

The proposed legislation would require a supply study that calculates the amount of the element nickel that is contained in electric vehicle batteries and in energy storage facilities sold or constructed in the state. It would also require that wind turbine blades be disposed of within this state unless recycled. The legislation would establish a program for tradeable, renewable energy credits to be used in coordination with the provisions of the regional greenhouse gas initiative act.

“In 2021, the General Assembly passed the Act on Climate with the noble goal of making Rhode Island carbon-neutral by 2050,” stated Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz. “After much thought and concern for the environment and the children and women currently being exploited for their labor, I've authored Senate Bill S-0499 to amend the Act on Climate.”

“If enacted, these amendments would mandate the disclosure of human rights abuses in nations that mine and manufacture carbon-free technology,” furthered Leader de la Cruz. “It would disclose any negative impact of mining minerals needed for renewable energy. It would also document the long-term health effects of decommissioning and the disposal of carbon-free technology products. If passed, solar permits would only be permitted once the installers have also committed to a plan to decommission newly installed solar panels.

Additionally, it contains a prohibition on using materials derived from slave or child labor.”

Concluded Leader de la Cruz, “For too long, we've exploited the environment and people in other parts of the world to meet our aggressive goals to be carbon neutral. We can no longer ignore the harm that the "Big Green" industry has inflicted on other parts of the world. Let us pursue a greener Rhode Island while adhering to the highest ethical standards.”

 

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