Rhode Island Archives

Jan 10, 2024

Setting the Record Straight: Q&A on Offshore Wind in New England

Don’t believe the disinformation. We can develop offshore wind and meet our renewable energy goals while protecting the marine environment.

Offshore wind turbine on a calm ocean, being approached by a boat.

Jan 05, 2024

Is Plastic Biodegradable? Here’s the truth

Regardless of how we dispose of it, plastic will not biodegrade. Here’s what that means for our communities and environment.

Empty single-use plastic bottle sits on shore over water. Photo illustrates that plastic products do not break down or biodegrade when in contact with natural elements. From top to bottom, the background shows a gradient going from light orange to white to dark blue. These sunset-like colors are reflected in the water.

Jan 04, 2024

Conservation Matters: Winter 2023

In the U.S. alone, we send millions of tons of food waste to landfills each year, where that waste produces methane emissions rivaling those from industrial sources.

Dec 29, 2023

Opinion/Guest View: Preservation Society lawsuit over wind turbines is misguided

By providing our country with clean, renewable energy, those tiny lines on the far horizon mean thousands of families won’t face the sickness and shortened lives that are required to produce fossil fuel energy.

Dec 19, 2023

James Rhodes

James “Jamie” Rhodes comes to CLF after 6 years of solo practice where he represented municipal governments in the creation of energy aggregation programs and non-profit advocacy groups at the Public Utilities Commission. Over the last 3 years, this work included serving as legal counsel to the RI State Senate’s Environment & Agriculture Committee and… Continue reading James Rhodes

Dec 18, 2023

Unlocking the Power of Microgrids in Today’s Energy Landscape

Microgrids will provide communities with energy independence, resilience, and security in the face of extreme weather.

Large installation of solar panels on the roof of an industrial building

Dec 14, 2023

Under Pressure from CLF Lawsuit, Exxon Sells Polluting Oil Terminal

In a victory for Everett residents, ExxonMobil has agreed to sell its aging facility. The site can never again be used to store polluting fossil fuels.

An aerial photo of the Exxon Everett facility, Massachusetts, with a dozen white cylindrical storage tanks and a neighborhood in the background.

Nov 30, 2023

Why 28 Years of Delaying Climate Action Are Too Many

COP28 is a reminder that local governments can act on climate even when political debate stymies global negotiations

Katherine's young daughter in the middle of a mild snow flurry. She is wearing a black jacked with a white fur collar along with pink hat that covers her ears and pink gloves. Her tongue is out catching snowflakes as she looks up towards the sky. The background shows tree trunks and the ground covered in snow.

Nov 29, 2023

This Calving Season, We Are Putting North Atlantic Right Whale Babies in Danger

Right whale mothers and calves are especially vulnerable to being hit by boats and ships. For the species to survive, we need to better protect them.

Right whale mother swimming after a small calf

Nov 28, 2023

Mountaineer Mardi Fuller on Racial Equity in Nature

Outdoorswoman Mardi Fuller has reveled in nature all her life – hiking, backpacking, paddling, and more. In fact, the mountaineer, who enjoys hiking, backcountry skiing, and ice climbing, has earned a rare distinction: In January 2021, she became the first Black person to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks in winter. “Maybe 1,000 people… Continue reading Mountaineer Mardi Fuller on Racial Equity in Nature