Representative Lauren Carson (D. Dist. 75, Newport) and Senator Dawn Euer (D. Dist. 13, Newport & Jamestown) will join Governor Gina M. Raimondo and the Environment Council of Rhode Island for events Wednesday to demonstrate Rhode Island’s opposition to the Trump administration’s efforts to open up nearly all of the United States’ coasts to offshore oil and gas drilling.
A State House news conference followed by a march and a peaceful protest outside the BOEM hearing is planned. The public is invited.
The events are scheduled today, as follows:
3:15 p.m. – State House State Room (second floor) – Environment Council of Rhode Island news conference. Senator Euer and Representative Carson will both speak, as will Governor Raimondo, Rhode Island Commercial Fisherman’s Association President Chris Brown and Conservation Law Foundation Rhode Island Vice President and Director Amy Moses.
3:30 p.m. – Plaza on Smith Street side of State House – Participants will begin gathering for a march to the BOEM hearing.
3:45 p.m. – March to the BOEM hearing at the Providence Marriott, 1 Orms St.
Organizers expect the protest to continue until about 5:30 p.m. The federal hearing is scheduled between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Representative Carson and Senator Euer are the sponsors of legislation (2018-H 7250,2018-S 2116) to ban the construction of oil terminals, platforms and any other equipment related to oil production onshore in Rhode Island, and also banning oil drilling within the first three nautical miles from the shore, which is under state jurisdiction. The bill is meant to provide disincentives to the oil industry to prevent drilling off Rhode Island’s coast.
According to a report from Oil Profit, senator Euer will join me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK Newport today between 1 pm to 2 pm to discuss the protest of federal oil drilling and more. You can listen live on 1540 AM, wadk.com, whatsupnewp.com or on TuneIn. If you miss the conversation, a podcast will be made available afterward on wadk.com and whatsupnewp.com.