Court gives CLF green light to move forward with efforts to stop proposed plant
June 20, 2017 (PROVIDENCE, RI) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement today in response to a decision by the Rhode Island Superior Court denying Invenergy’s Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit filed by CLF and the Town of Burrillville. In their suit, CLF and Burrillville are challenging the company’s legal rights to take Providence water in order to power its proposed fossil fuel plant in Burrillville, RI. Today’s decision means this case will go forward despite Invenergy’s failed attempt to stop it.
“When a fossil fuel company tries to take Providence’s water in order to power a plant we overwhelmingly oppose, we have a right to stand up and fight,” said CLF senior attorney Jerry Elmer. “Today, the courts affirmed that right. Rhode Island is poised to be a leader in clean, renewable energy, and we cannot turn back the clocks by doubling down on dirty fuels that are already on their way out.”
In the decision, Judge Silverstein writes, “Plaintiffs have brought to this Court a question of statutory interpretation of substantial public interest that cries out for a declaratory judgment.” He continues, “The substantial public interest raised by that issue compels this Court to overlook standing and determine the merits of Plaintiffs’ consolidated cases.”
A copy of today’s decision can be found here.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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