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State of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha

Attorney General Neronha urges State planners to act on climate

Published on Thursday, August 07, 2025

Attorney General Neronha recently submitted a comment letter to the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning urging the Division to revise deficiencies in its Draft State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) in order to meaningfully contribute towards compliance with the State’s Act on Climate.

“The Act on Climate isn’t optional, it’s the law,” said Attorney General Neronha. “And right now, state leaders continue to fail to take meaningful steps towards fulfilling our obligations to the goals set forth in the Act on Climate, thereby failing our residents and our environment. The progress we make within the transportation sector is of the utmost importance because transportation accounts for nearly 40% of Rhode Island’s greenhouse gas emissions. That said, the current draft of this Plan does not go far enough, not by a long shot. The Plan must align with Act on Climate compliance, it must include goals and projects that meaningfully reduce emissions, and it must attempt to measure the impact of these projects in reducing emissions. Indeed, cutting RIPTA funding and burying our heads in the sand will further exacerbate our problems. It is my hope that state leadership steps up to meet the moment, and incorporating our recommendations for the Plan is a good start.”

In the comment letter, Attorney General Neronha notes:

“[T]he STIP is critical to shaping this State’s efforts to comply with the Act on Climate. As currently drafted, the STIP fails to take a forward-looking approach to achieving the State’s long-term goals and falls far short of meaningfully furthering compliance with the Act on Climate. These deficiencies should be addressed in the next iteration of the STIP, and the Attorney General urges Statewide Planning to consider the recommendations contained in this submission as it continues the drafting process.”

The comment contains the following recommendations:

  • Future Draft STIPs should anticipate and reflect the most up-to-date Long Range Transportation Plan.
  • The Draft STIP should incorporate a greater number of projects that meaningfully reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
  • The Draft STIP fails to take concrete and meaningful steps to invest in the reduction of vehicle miles traveled and transportation emissions.
  • The STIP should identify the emission reduction potential of projects in the project tables.
  • The Draft STIP should aim to identify means for fully funding regionally significant projects that promote public transportation and alternative modes of transit.

To read the full comment letter, please visit our website.

 

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