Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative
The Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative, led by ENE, the American Lung Association of Rhode Island, Clean Water Action, and Environment Rhode Island, advocates for reducing toxic diesel pollution to protect public health and reduce the threat of global warming.
Background
In July 2006, anti-idling legislation passed in Rhode Island. The legislation was ENE and its coalition partners’ first success at efforts to build public and lawmaker support for clean air...
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Rhode Island’s new law forces the retirement of the state’s oldest (and dirtiest) school buses model year 1993 and older, and requires installation of pollution control devices on the all remaining school buses by 2010. Of critical importance, the law ensures that every school bus eliminates engine crankcase pollution from entering into the passenger cabin.
The law also required the Department of Environmental Management to identify opportunities for cleaning up waste haulers and state vehicles, and to present its findings in a report to the General Assembly and Governor by January 1, 2008.
Proposed bill S2633/H7524 builds on previous legislation and calls for pollution control equipment on another priority fleet of heavy-duty diesels. It would require retrofitting state owned and operated vehicles, as well as all equipment used on state-funded construction sites.
The Rhode Island Diesel Pollution Initiative is a part of ENE's New England Diesel Initiative.
