Kalus, McKee talk environmental issues with Audubon Society

By Ethan Hartley
Posted 10/27/22

McKee focused on recent legislative efforts to simultaneously boost renewable energy and the economy. Kalus criticized McKee's environmental record and sincerity.

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Kalus, McKee talk environmental issues with Audubon Society

Posted

The two leading candidates for Rhode Island’s top political position visited Bristol over the weekend to advocate for why they are the best pick to lead the state into a new era of environmental advocacy, climate change resiliency, and renewable energy growth.

The candidate Q&A took place at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s 125th Annual Meeting, located at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, on Sunday, Oct. 23.

McKee seeks balance for environment, economy
Governor Dan McKee, during brief remarks before the audience, spent the majority of his time heralding efforts that he has made in the past 20 months to champion legislation that benefits the environment while simultaneously boosting the economy, such as efforts to encourage offshore wind and move closer to net-neutral carbon emissions.

He also mentioned how federal COVID dollars were used to re-invest into Rhode Island, and advocated for the passage of the three bond initiatives in November, one of which would provide funding to the University of Rhode Island to boost the state’s Blue Economy, and another which would provide grants to local conservation groups.

“That's an investment in our environment. That's an investment in our green economy,” he said. “This is supporting our blue economy. And we're investing those dollars in a way that we're going to get returns.”

When asked about how the state could responsibly balance its boosting of renewable energy, such as the construction of more solar panel arrays, with protecting natural environments such as forests from being cleared to build those arrays, McKee said balance was the key.

“We want to balance our economy and our environment and we need to make sure that we do it right,” he said. “We don't know what's on the horizon in terms of how we're going to deliver solar energy. Quite frankly we don't know what we're going to deliver certain things on the battery power and storage, right? We don't know where wind is going to go. We know that it's accelerating very quickly right now. All I can say to you is that I'm going to make sure that we're right on the bumper of the technology and as fast as it brings us, that's where we're gonna go, and I'm very optimistic it’s going to bring us to a very good spot.”

McKee did say, when asked, that he supported a theoretical piece of legislation that would create a refundable deposit on recyclable beverage containers.

“That’s a good question, and that’s a sticky question. But I think in general I believe in that. I think that it’s really important. We just talked about our water quality and things like that. We know plastics are a problem..,” he said. “We know that plastic does impact our environment in a negative way so we’re going to address that in the most sensible way as we can. Again, I think we have to understand that our environment and our economy are linked.”

Kalus attacks McKee’s environmental record
During her remarks, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus said that she believed the key to improving Rhode Island’s situation was a three-step process that included prioritizing improving educational outcomes, creating a better business environment with more competitive tax rates, and leveraging its assets as a transportational hub at the center of New England.

Kalus was also resolute in her positions regarding the environment and policies regarding renewable energy.

“While we continue to utilize solar on brownfields and roofs, I do not support cutting down open land for additional solar farms,” she said, earning a round of applause from the Audubon crowd.

Kalus said that the state is capable of supporting renewable energy in a way that doesn’t simultaneously threaten the environment.

“I do support expanding renewable energy opportunities such as floating solar, kinetic power from wave technology, and offshore wind power, all of which have minimal impacts on our ecosystem,” she said. “It is entirely possible to protect and utilize our natural resources at the same time.”

Kalus, perhaps unaware of the multitude of efforts made by neighboring Warren and within Bristol itself, said that the state’s other communities should “follow Barrington's lead and begin implementing resiliency plans and hardening assets to ensure cities and towns are protected from flooding.”

Kalus also said that she would work with the legislature to enact a tax credit program to incentivize individuals and corporations to recycle more, which she said 25 other states have already done.

Down the stretch of her speech, Kalus switched her gears to attack McKee’s record on environmental issues.

“I will practice what I preach, unlike Dan McKee, whose company, McKee Brothers Oil Company, was sued over hazardous waste that contaminated soils and threatened the public health,” she said, referencing a 2018 case in Rhode Island District Court — Peterson Puritan Site OU Remedial Action Group V. A&J Tool & Findings Co., Inc., Et Al. — that included the McKee Brothers Oil Company as a potentially responsible party (along with a long list of other defendants) regarding a 500-acre site in Cumberland and Lincoln that was exposed to soil contamination. The case would eventually end in a default judgment against the defendants, along with a

Environment takes center stage for Speaker
K. Joseph Shekarchi, the Rhode Island Speaker of the House, was also present at the event in order to accept the Audubon’s Legislator of the Year award.
Shekarchi spoke at length about the legislative efforts he was proud of that address environmental concerns, including Rhode Island’s pledge to offset its electricity needs with 100 percent renewable sources by 2033 — which he said was the most ambitious goal in the country comparable to others who have made similar pledges.
“Massachusetts: 2040. California: 2040. The federal government: 2035. Number one in the country? Rhode Island: 2033,” Shekarchi said. “And we can do that.”
Shekarchi said that climate resilience is always front of mind for him, coming from another community (Warwick), where rising tides and increasing storm frequency is a cause for constant concern. After commending the society for its work, he called on them to continue their advocacy.
“My hometown of Warwick has 39 miles of coastline. When we have bad storms, more areas of the city are flooding, beaches are eroding, the risks and impact to our communities and our ecosystems and wildlife is real and growing,” he said. “So what I need from all of you today and my one ask of all of you today is very simple. Keep advocating. Please stay involved. I tell this wherever I am — Chamber of Commerce, union meetings — we need to hear from you. You need to be involved in the legislative process, you need to be involved in the electoral process. It is critical.”

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