March 24, 2011
By Sandy Phaneuf

Renewable energy advocates and environmental organizations today denounced legislation introduced by Rep. Jon Brien (D-Woonsocket) that would overturn the state ban on municipal waste incineration and would define trash burning as renewable energy.

The bill would allow a municipal waste trash incinerator to be built in Woonsocket and is scheduled for hearing today in the House Committee on Municipal Government.

Friday, March 25, 2011 

By Philip Marcelo

Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE - Legislation that would end the state's nearly 20-year ban on trash-burning facilities and allow Woonsocket to potentially open a "waste-to-energy" plant brought out environmental advocates and city residents to the State House on Thursday.

Opponents argued that trash burning is a costly method for waste disposal that releases toxins into the environment. They noted that the state imposed a ban on municipal-waste incineration in 1992 largely in response to its negative effects.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

By Philip Marcelo        

Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE -- As part of a broader plan to shift some of the burden of waste disposal onto private companies and away from state and local government, Governor Chafee's administration has introduced legislation that would require national and local manufacturers to pay for the collection and disposal of mattresses, paints and medical needles and syringes.