___________________________________________________________________________

Lincoln Chafee for Rhode Island Governor

Lincoln Chafee has long established himself as an environmental advocate as Warwick Mayor, Rhode Island Senator, and now in his campaign for governor. Chafee served four terms as Mayor of Warwick (‘93-‘99), during which time he implemented a $130 million dollar sewer extension program to clean up Greenwich Bay, upgraded the city’s recycling program, and purchased over 130 acres of open space in the city. As a Senator (’99-’06) he voted to tighten mercury regulations on oil & gas power plants, authored the Brownfield’s Remediation Act, and served on the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, bringing millions of dollars into the state for improved transportation infrastructure. As Governor, former Senator Chafee will continue to be a strong advocate for the environment, focusing on bringing sound renewable energy investments in to the state, improving state-wide recycling and solid waste initiatives, and establishing incentives for businesses to internalize sustainability practices. Chafee’s environmental successes speak greatly to his commitment and ability as a pro-environment Governor, and Clean Water Action is proud to endorse him in the Governor’s race.

___________________________________________________________________________

Angel Taveras for Mayor of Providence

Former Housing Court Judge and Lawyer Angel Taveras is a strong pro-environment candidate for Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island’s capital city. Taveras is currently the only candidate who has released an environmental plan, which includes creating a city-wide composting program, hiring a city energy and sustainability manager, ensuring the city’s property holdings and assets do not create environmental hazards, establishing community gardens in vacant city-owned lots, and establishing a green energy renewable revolving fund to increase investment in green technology; all sound environmental priorities for the City of Providence. In addition, Taveras has extended his environmental priorities beyond his plan through supporting community activists’ efforts to stop partial lead pipe replacements, which have been linked to increased amounts of lead in drinking water. He has continually shown an active interest in meeting with and learning from environmental organizations throughout the city, and will be an accessible, thoughtful, and innovative leader for our Capital city, making him the right candidate for the Clean Water Action endorsement.

____________________________________________________________________________

Chris Blazejewski for State Representative (District 2- Providence)

With tough shoes to fill in replacing long time Clean Water Action supporter Representative David Segal, Chris Blazejewski has taken on the challenge with a progressive and thoughtful environmental campaign platform. He has demonstrated through one-on-one meeting with CWA and in public speaking engagements a thorough understanding of the economic and environmental benefits of diversified transportation and infrastructure funding, green jobs development, and open space preservation, all issues at the top of his priority list that are also of great importance to Clean Water Action. In addition, Blazejewski’s broad support base and success as a lawyer speak to his ability as a problem solver and innovative thinker, skills that will be critical in garnering support for legislation in-line with his environmental priorities. Blazejewski is the leading candidate in the race for the Representative seat in District 2, and will be an asset to Clean Water Action in the statehouse.

____________________________________________________________________________

Maria Cimini for State Representative (District 7-Providence)

Running for a much coveted open seat in District 7 in Providence, Maria Cimini has taken the challenge seriously with a thoughtful and aggressive campaign established nearly 11 months before this year’s primaries on September 14th. Her main priorities revolve around education access, access to living wage jobs, environmental and social justice issues. In several one-on-one meetings with Clean Water Action Cimini has shown support for policies that will improve public transit and access to walking trails and bikepaths, encourage energy efficiency in building regulations, and that will provide resources to local businesses and universities working on innovative architectural and environmental projects. All these initiatives are rooted in her commitment to green job development and protecting Rhode Island’s natural resources. In her day job as a coordinator of the SNAP Outreach campaign, which helps give low-income Rhode Islanders access to healthy food, and as a former Assistant Director of the South Providence Neighborhood Ministries, Maria has shown a deep dedication to protecting and serving Rhode Islanders. Maria has shown that same dedication in her campaign, and Clean Water Action is proud to give Maria our endorsement.