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March 26, 2009
Dear Friend,
Sorry that we skipped a week. All for good reason. Last week was very busy. We had the Senate hearing on the Energy Independence Act. They heard from Sierra Club staff. Now your legislators need to hear from you.
Here's a question for you. Bus transit is a very slow way to get from Newport to Providence. What if the RIPTA Ferry service was better. Would you use it? At the RIPTA Board of Directors yesterday, John Flaherty from Grow Smart Rhode Island spoke on behalf of the New Public Transit Alliance making the case for moving the Providence Ferry landing to a more "intermodal" place, served by other forms of transit.
| 1) Transit, Ocean State Style? |
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 Yesterday, John Flaherty from Grow Smart Rhode Island spoke to the RIPTA Board of Directors on behalf of the New Public Transit Alliance. He made the case for moving the Providence Ferry landing to a more "intermodal" transit hub that is attractive and easy to get to. One idea in the mix is India Point Park in Fox Point. Water transit seems like a natural fit for the Ocean State. It is more fuel efficient, direct, and quicker than bus transit, especially between Providence and Newport.
Tell what you think about expanding Ferry service to link communities around the Narragansett Bay. Take our Survey! |
| 2) Rhode Island's Solution for Global Warming: Energy Independence |
 Last week the Rhode Island Senate heard testimony on the Energy Independence and Climate Solutions Act (S 488 - Walaska). The bill would cap global warming emissions in Rhode Island 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Last year, this bill died in the final days of the legislative session. This year, key Senators recognize that if Rhode Island is ever going to thrive with a New Energy Economy, we've got to stop importing and building our economy around polluting fossil fuels. The Rhode Island bill is the only one that takes a serious look at reducing pollution from transportation sources. But your State Senators and Representatives need to hear from you. Take Action! |
| 3) What are Cool CATs? |
Cool CATs are the Sierra Club's Cool Cities Community Action Teams. Cool Cities or Cool Communities are those local governments that sign on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Sierra Club Community Action Teams are teams of volunteer activists who work together to build environmental communities by hosting house parties, going door to door with our message, or participating in phone banks.
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Thank you for signing up for Cool CATs Weekly. Sierra Club volunteers are working in Newport, North Kingstown and Barrington to make one of those communities the next Cool City or Town. Feel free to contact us if you would like to make your city Cool.
Sincerely,
Chris Wilhite
Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter |
your State Legislators to support the Energy Independence and Climate Solutions Act (S488, H5706)
The State of Rhode Island needs to regulate the emissions of greenhouse gases from all sectors. When passed into law next year, this bill will cap global warming pollution by 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 and create a reporting mechanism for all sectors of the Rhode Island economy. Rhode Island's global warming bill is the only one in the country that addresses the need to significantly reduce automobile traffic to solve global warming.
10 Minutes for Change
Every Wednesday
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sierra Club Chapter Office
17 Gordon Ave.
Providence 02905
Sierra Club RI Chapter Meeting
Thursday, April 2
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sierra Club Chapter Office
17 Gordon Ave. 2nd Floor
Providence |
