Gallison Calls for Reduction in Power Plant Pollution

Written by Sandy McGee

Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. joined  Environment Rhode Island Friday in calling for reductions in carbon emissions at the Brayton Point power plant in Somerset, MA. 

The report indicates the plant is the largest source of global-warming pollution in the Rhode Island area. The report also lists a Tiverton power plant as one of the dirtiest in Rhode Island. 

“Bristol has one of New England’s biggest carbon polluters right in our backyard. To ensure the health and safety of current and future Bristolians and Rhode Islanders, we need EPA to act to rein in power plant pollution,” said Rep. Gallison (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth).

Brayton Point’s exhaust stacks were in the backdrop as the following gathered Friday to release the report: Rep. Gallison, Environment Rhode Island Campaign Director Channing Jones, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Clean Water Action Rhode Island Director Jamie Rhodes, Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign Organizer Drew Grande and Roger Williams University Law School professor Michael Burger.

The report illustrates the scale of carbon pollution from power plants in Rhode Island, in New England and around the country. The report comes as the Obama administration readies a new set of rules to tackle global warming.

In August, Gallison wrote to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, urging the agency to protect his constituents from Brayton Point’s emissions. 

The Massachusetts DEP is currently engaged in a compliance demonstration process for the Brayton Point facility to ensure that its emission aren’t contributing to unsafe levels of air pollution.

To read the full report, click here.