10/29/2009 Press Release from the RI General Assembly
Website: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us
Link to this press release: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr1.asp?prid=5937

Assembly votes to create Green Jobs Task Force

The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Amy G. Rice to create a Green Jobs Task Force to develop a statewide action plan to optimize the growth of the green economy in Rhode Island.

Under the measure (2009-H5261), the task force will be charged with providing the General Assembly and the governor with a comprehensive plan including draft legislation and budget requests for potential green projects.

The task force would look into: increasing the use of renewable energy, achieving statewide energy savings, meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, monitoring and preserving surface waters and expanding the use of biofuels.

“In these difficult times, we must look into ways to develop green technologies that will generate good-paying jobs for Rhode Islanders,” said Representative Rice. “Investing in green jobs means investing in the economy and the future of our state.”

The task force will include three members of the House of Representatives; three members of the Senate; three members of the public, to be appointed by the governor, including one member representing the manufacturing industry, one representing a statewide organization dedicated to commerce and one representing a statewide organization dedicated to agriculture or the environment; two members of the public, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, including one member representing labor and one representing financial institutions or venture capital and two members of the public appointed by the Senate President, including one member of a local economic development authority and one from a firm currently engaged in green manufacturing.
The directors of the Department of Administration and Department of Labor and Training will be required to provide staff support to the task force.

“This task force will be comprised of the best and the brightest minds in green technologies, and will focus specifically on all aspects of employment in renewable energy statewide,” said Representative Rice.

The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.

For more information, contact:
Shana Mancinho, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457