Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
PROVIDENCE, RI. – Today, a group of Rhode Island’s climate justice organizations rallied at the State House in opposition to Enbridge’s proposed Project Maple fracked-gas pipeline expansion. The groups hand-delivered a letter addressed to Governor Daniel McKee and the Department of Environmental Management. In total, eleven State Representatives and three State Senators signed on opposing the project. The petition-signers and community members present at the rally demand the denial of all further Project Maple permits.
Read the Rhode Island Sign-on Letter Here.
Project Maple is a state-crossing gas expansion project proposed by Enbridge, owner of the interstate “Algonquin” gas pipelines. If approved, emissions from Project Maple are estimated to equal seven coal plants, threatening to erase all of Rhode Island’s emission-reduction progress.
Despite intense local opposition, construction has already begun on an initial phase of the project doubling the pipeline’s size from the east side of the Sakonnet River – in the town of Little Compton – to the west side of the River – in the town of Portsmouth. Earlier this month, during work on the Sakonnet River pipeline replacement, toxic drilling fluid leaked into a wetland in Portsmouth.
For the past ten years, Rhode Island has been at the forefront of the movement to stop pipeline expansions. The town of Burrillville, notably, has fiercely resisted previous pipeline expansion proposals. A massive statewide movement arose in 2015 following the proposal of a large power plant along the pipeline’s route. This movement continues today, as groups across the state are ready to oppose Project Maple.
After today’s rally, participating groups released the following statements.
“Rhode Islanders know too well the harms brought about by fossil fuel corporations like Enbridge,” said Nick Katkevich, Sierra Club Northeast Field Organizer. “That is why we will continue to take action to stop all Project Maple permits from moving forward.”
"Climate Action RI has been at the forefront of the fight to address the impacts from fossil fuels and preventing further aggravation from such by helping to pass the Act on Climate legislation, the election of climate friendly candidates to the RI general assembly, supporting the transition to renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind, and ending the funding for new fossil fuel development and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure projects, such as Project Maple, and will continue to do so going forward until a sustainable and just transition has been achieved and we meet the goals of the Act on Climate legislation. Allowing the expansion under Project Maple would be a set back for the goals the RI has set for itself under the Act on Climate legislation., said David Brunetti of Climate Action RI,” said David Brunetti, Climate Action RI.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.