Support of Efforts to Repeal ’21 Act on Climate Blowback: Climate Action Rhode Island Opposes Senator Ciccone as Senate Majority Leader or Senate President

Support of efforts to repeal the 2021 Act on Climate are costing longtime Democratic stalwart Senator Frank Ciccone dearly in the race to take control of the Rhode Island Senate …

Statement – From Climate Action Rhode Island:

Climate Action Rhode Island opposes the election of Frank Ciccone as the Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader or Senate President, having serious concerns about his environmental record. CARI, a network of over 3500 Rhode Islanders dedicated to bold climate solutions, is particularly concerned about Senator Ciccone’s support of Senate Bill S-400 to repeal the 2021 Act On Climate.

“The Act on Climate was a critical step toward clean energy solutions for Rhode Island. The bill to repeal would undo years of progress, abandoning Rhode Island to the failed idea that we can burn fossil fuels forever,” said Climate Action Rhode Island Co-President Jeff Migneault. “The fact that Senator Ciccone is a co-sponsor is a clear sign that he lacks commitment to climate science, the climate crisis, and the potential of renewable energy.”

Climate Action Rhode Island is in support of Senator Valerie Lawson for Senate President. Lawson received an A in the 2023-2024 session from the Environment Council of Rhode Island, in part for her sponsorship of the Climate Change Workforce Development Act, which seeks to help Rhode Island skill up its green jobs workforce. In contrast, Senator Ciccone received a C in 2021-2022 and 2023-2024.

“With the lack of leadership in Washington DC right now on environmental issues, we need Rhode Island leaders now more than ever that are dedicated to clean energy, green jobs, and a plan for the climate crisis,” said Caitlin Sanford, Climate Action RI Co-President. “We hope the Senate can unite around a leadership team led by Senator Lawson that fully embodies this dedication.”