Jul 26, 2023
Climate Change + Stormwater Pollution Equals Dirty, Unsafe Swimming Holes
Numerous beach closures in the summer of 2023 were a result of climate change and stormwater pollution.
Campaign: Rhode Island Stormwater
Jan 02, 2019
Saving Rhode Island’s Waters
Stormwater pollution is shutting down Rhode Island’s ponds and beaches. CLF is calling on EPA to hold polluters accountable for their dirty discharge.
Dec 11, 2018
Polluted Runoff is Putting Rhode Island Waters at Risk
Stormwater pollution is making Rhode Island waters unsafe for swimming, fishing, and boating. CLF is asking the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to hold polluters accountable for their runoff.
Nov 19, 2018
CLF Petitions to Protect Rhode Island Waters
“No one should be given a free pass to pollute Rhode Island waters,” said James Crowley, Staff Attorney at CLF. “Years of toxic runoff have endangered our waters, closed our beaches, and threatened important wildlife habitats. Our communities deserve to enjoy these areas without being sickened by toxic pollution that has gone unchecked for decades. The state has the power to hold these polluters accountable and it must act now to protect our waters for future generations.”
Jun 29, 2018
Environmentalists Sue Shell Over Port Of Providence Facility
“What isn’t a solution is leaving a very dirty facility like this right at sea level in a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone with no consideration of the impacts of climate change,” said Chris Kilian.
Jun 27, 2018
Conservation Law Foundation in Court Against Shell
“Shell’s facility is an accident waiting to happen,” said Chris Kilian, Vice President of Strategic Litigation at CLF. “One severe storm could result in the terminal spilling toxic chemicals into the Providence River and surrounding communities. The company has failed to prepare the facility for the effects of climate change, even as sea levels continue to rise and stronger storms are becoming more frequent. We will continue the fight to protect the community and our environment from the dangers posed by this terminal.”
Jun 27, 2018
Climate change a big factor in lawsuit over Providence oil storage terminal
Allan Kanner, a lawyer for the CLF, argued that the risk has been made clear already. During the historic spring floods in 2010 that inundated large parts of Rhode Island, storm water washed contaminants from the Shell terminal into the river, he said.
May 15, 2018
Shell Documents Back Up Plaintiff Claims in Rhode Island Climate Suit
“It’s essentially an admission on Shell’s part that the risks we’ve identified in our case are real and imminent,” said Bradley Campbell, president of the CLF, which filed the lawsuit against the oil giant last August.
Aug 28, 2017
CLF Brings Shell to Court for Neglect of Providence River, Community
“This weekend, we saw thousands of homes destroyed, streets flooded and families displaced by Hurricane Harvey,” said CLF president Bradley Campbell. “We can’t wait around for the next natural disaster to inundate our communities. Shell’s facility sits on the banks of the Providence River, poised to spew toxic chemicals into our waters and our neighborhoods with no adequate safeguards in place. If the loss of life and damage from storms like Hurricane Harvey aren’t enough of a wake-up call, then legal action is needed to protect the public.”
Jun 28, 2017
CLF Takes on Shell Over Endangerment of Providence Community
“In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on an offshore Shell facility, the company was forced to confront the reality of climate change and the dangers it poses,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “But more than a decade later, Shell’s acknowledgement of these risks has not translated into action to prevent them in places where people actually live. With just one severe storm – one major flood – the Providence River and surrounding communities could be inundated with toxic substances, yet Shell has done nothing to safeguard us from this fate. It’s time they be held accountable for this grave inaction.”