Rob Smith
@robesmit.bsky.social
All news is local.
Reporting on the environment for ecoRI News.
Reporting on the environment for ecoRI News.
Pinned
Rob Smith
@robesmit.bsky.social
· Aug 1
Incredible Journey: Trackers Show Where Some Rhode Island Plastic Bottles Wind Up - ecoRI News
One of the most-asked questions by ecoRI News readers is whether recycling actually works.
ecori.org
NEW: RI has low recycling rates, but where does our used plastic end up after you put it in the blue bin?
We stuck some trackers in plastic bottles and found out:
ecori.org/incredible-j...
We stuck some trackers in plastic bottles and found out:
ecori.org/incredible-j...
Reposted by Rob Smith
After a bird flu outbreak tore through Midwestern barns, killing hens and spiking egg prices, the USDA didn’t investigate whether the virus was airborne. @propublica.org did. www.propublica.org/article/bird...
What the U.S. Government Is Dismissing That Could Seed a Bird Flu Pandemic
Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed. Vacci...
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
After a bird flu outbreak tore through Midwestern barns, killing hens and spiking egg prices, the USDA didn’t investigate whether the virus was airborne. @propublica.org did. www.propublica.org/article/bird...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Just learned that former Rhode Island Transit Riders co-director Patricia Raub has passed away. She was also heavily in the Friends of the Wanskuck Library group.
I enjoyed every opportunity to work with her, and her loss will be felt heavily around here.
I enjoyed every opportunity to work with her, and her loss will be felt heavily around here.
October 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Just learned that former Rhode Island Transit Riders co-director Patricia Raub has passed away. She was also heavily in the Friends of the Wanskuck Library group.
I enjoyed every opportunity to work with her, and her loss will be felt heavily around here.
I enjoyed every opportunity to work with her, and her loss will be felt heavily around here.
Reposted by Rob Smith
And if you are around Providence this Friday, come hear the wonderful @triofrancos.bsky.social talk her new book at Watson:
October 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
And if you are around Providence this Friday, come hear the wonderful @triofrancos.bsky.social talk her new book at Watson:
Reposted by Rob Smith
Apparently, the Canadian gov apparently knew for years about dangers levels of PFAS in the water — and didn't tell anyone
ijb.utoronto.ca/news/feds-co...
ijb.utoronto.ca/news/feds-co...
Feds 'covered up' toxic forever chemicals in the water of this Ontario city for 5 years - Investigative Journalism Bureau
The federal government concealed toxic water contamination in North Bay, Ont., for almost five years before warning residents of a dangerous chemical spill from the city’s airport and a nearby militar...
ijb.utoronto.ca
October 27, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Apparently, the Canadian gov apparently knew for years about dangers levels of PFAS in the water — and didn't tell anyone
ijb.utoronto.ca/news/feds-co...
ijb.utoronto.ca/news/feds-co...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Amid a continued clampdown on the #offshorewind industry by the Trump administration, Vineyard Wind has quietly progressed with project buildout and reached 50% power production. That means about half of the project’s 62 turbines are sending power to the Massachusetts grid.
Vineyard Wind reaches 50% power production - The New Bedford Light
The offshore wind farm is sending power from at least 30 turbines to the Massachusetts grid.
newbedfordlight.org
October 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Amid a continued clampdown on the #offshorewind industry by the Trump administration, Vineyard Wind has quietly progressed with project buildout and reached 50% power production. That means about half of the project’s 62 turbines are sending power to the Massachusetts grid.
Reposted by Rob Smith
By Jon Chesto -- Revolution Wind setbacks prompt Eversource to take $75 million hit
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/b...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/b...
Revolution Wind setbacks prompt Eversource to take $75 million hit - The Boston Globe
Eversource will record a $75 million charge against its third-quarter earnings primarily because of cost overruns at the Revolution Wind energy project.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
By Jon Chesto -- Revolution Wind setbacks prompt Eversource to take $75 million hit
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/b...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/b...
Reposted by Rob Smith
SCOOP: The Bureau of Land Management says the largest solar project in Nevada — the Esmeralda 7 mega-farm — has been canceled
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
Esmeralda 7 Solar Project Has Been Canceled, BLM Says
It would have delivered a gargantuan 6.2 gigawatts of power.
heatmap.news
October 10, 2025 at 3:36 AM
SCOOP: The Bureau of Land Management says the largest solar project in Nevada — the Esmeralda 7 mega-farm — has been canceled
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
the hasbro news has really sent our local subreddits into a mini meltdown
September 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
the hasbro news has really sent our local subreddits into a mini meltdown
Reposted by Rob Smith
Story by @robesmit.bsky.social for @ecorinews.bsky.social and @ripbs-tpr.bsky.social
thepublicsradio.org/environment/...
thepublicsradio.org/environment/...
What actually happens to recycled plastics in Rhode Island? - TPR: The Public's Radio
In order to help reduce plastic waste and help the environment, Rhode Islanders are encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics. But what actually happens to the plastic the state collects for ...
thepublicsradio.org
August 12, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Slugging around Providence today in the heat? Check out our story about heat waves, why they are happening and how we could prevent their worst impacts in the future: ecori.org/as-they-beco... @ecorinews.bsky.social
As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive - ecoRI News
Rhode Island hasn’t always needed to be ready for the consequences of extreme heat, but that time is coming to end as climate change ramps up.
ecori.org
August 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Slugging around Providence today in the heat? Check out our story about heat waves, why they are happening and how we could prevent their worst impacts in the future: ecori.org/as-they-beco... @ecorinews.bsky.social
NEW: RI has low recycling rates, but where does our used plastic end up after you put it in the blue bin?
We stuck some trackers in plastic bottles and found out:
ecori.org/incredible-j...
We stuck some trackers in plastic bottles and found out:
ecori.org/incredible-j...
Incredible Journey: Trackers Show Where Some Rhode Island Plastic Bottles Wind Up - ecoRI News
One of the most-asked questions by ecoRI News readers is whether recycling actually works.
ecori.org
August 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
NEW: RI has low recycling rates, but where does our used plastic end up after you put it in the blue bin?
We stuck some trackers in plastic bottles and found out:
ecori.org/incredible-j...
We stuck some trackers in plastic bottles and found out:
ecori.org/incredible-j...
Reposted by Rob Smith
"Rhode Island ridership is down because state officials don’t understand or, more likely, don’t care about the vital role public transit plays..."
Transit ridership is up nationally, down here in Rhode Island. What a mystery, what could be the reason.
ecori.org/ripta-crashe...
Transit ridership is up nationally, down here in Rhode Island. What a mystery, what could be the reason.
ecori.org/ripta-crashe...
RIPTA Crashes on Smith Hill and Governor Wonders What Happened - ecoRI News
RIPTA services have been macheted year in and year out for nearly two decades, and the chair of the agency’s board wonders why less people are riding the bus.
ecori.org
August 1, 2025 at 12:44 PM
"Rhode Island ridership is down because state officials don’t understand or, more likely, don’t care about the vital role public transit plays..."
Transit ridership is up nationally, down here in Rhode Island. What a mystery, what could be the reason.
ecori.org/ripta-crashe...
Transit ridership is up nationally, down here in Rhode Island. What a mystery, what could be the reason.
ecori.org/ripta-crashe...
Three day weekend starts today
August 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Three day weekend starts today
Reposted by Rob Smith
what pivot to video is this i lost count so long ago
news: per a note from Washington Post top editor Matt Murray, The Post will focus its news video efforts on short- and medium-length work. “We want video to be less separate, and to feature video everywhere.”
July 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
what pivot to video is this i lost count so long ago
Reposted by Rob Smith
All first-time donations to ecoRI News are tripled thanks to a generous South County couple. ecori.kindful.com?campaign=137...
Read this note from our publisher @jodetz.bsky.social about why attracting new donors is so important to our newsroom.
Read this note from our publisher @jodetz.bsky.social about why attracting new donors is so important to our newsroom.
July 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
All first-time donations to ecoRI News are tripled thanks to a generous South County couple. ecori.kindful.com?campaign=137...
Read this note from our publisher @jodetz.bsky.social about why attracting new donors is so important to our newsroom.
Read this note from our publisher @jodetz.bsky.social about why attracting new donors is so important to our newsroom.
In Portsmouth tonight: the state EFSB is hosting a public comment at the middle school over the export cables that are planned to go through town
July 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
In Portsmouth tonight: the state EFSB is hosting a public comment at the middle school over the export cables that are planned to go through town
I wish them all the best, but this sounds like the open house from hell for me.
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/l...
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/l...
July 16, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I wish them all the best, but this sounds like the open house from hell for me.
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/l...
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Another day, another apocalypse.
‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report
Researchers say urgent conservation efforts will be needed to mitigate the ‘shocking statistic’ that threatens to unravel ecosystems
www.theguardian.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Another day, another apocalypse.
Reposted by Rob Smith
RI uses twice as much solar & wind (mostly solar) for its energy as CT, but half as much as MA... however, it's the most reliant on fossil fuels (primarily gas) of the three, using it for 80% of its energy compared to the others which are in the 50-60% range: ember-energy.org/data/us-elec...
July 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
RI uses twice as much solar & wind (mostly solar) for its energy as CT, but half as much as MA... however, it's the most reliant on fossil fuels (primarily gas) of the three, using it for 80% of its energy compared to the others which are in the 50-60% range: ember-energy.org/data/us-elec...
Reposted by Rob Smith
hire more geographers please
The data also highlights critical risks in other areas along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, revealing more than twice as many Americans live in flood prone areas than FEMA's maps show.
New data reveals FEMA missed major flood risks at Camp Mystic
The data also highlights critical risks in other areas along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, revealing more than twice as many Americans live in flood prone areas than FEMA's maps show.
n.pr
July 13, 2025 at 7:09 PM
hire more geographers please
Reposted by Rob Smith
“California is so far using forty per cent less natural gas to generate electricity than it did in 2023, which is the single most hopeful statistic I’ve seen in four decades of writing about the climate crisis.”
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment
In the past two years, without much notice, solar power has begun to truly transform the world’s energy system.
www.newyorker.com
July 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
“California is so far using forty per cent less natural gas to generate electricity than it did in 2023, which is the single most hopeful statistic I’ve seen in four decades of writing about the climate crisis.”
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
Reposted by Rob Smith
The Supreme Court just ended its term. Here are the decisions that will affect climate policy.
Experts say the most impactful decisions have enabled the Trump administration to gut the federal workforce and freeze funding.
grist.org/justice/supr...
#Climate #Law #Politics #Policy #Environment
Experts say the most impactful decisions have enabled the Trump administration to gut the federal workforce and freeze funding.
grist.org/justice/supr...
#Climate #Law #Politics #Policy #Environment
The Supreme Court just ended its term. Here are the decisions that will affect climate policy.
Experts say the most impactful decisions have enabled the Trump administration to gut the federal workforce and freeze funding.
grist.org
July 2, 2025 at 8:09 PM
The Supreme Court just ended its term. Here are the decisions that will affect climate policy.
Experts say the most impactful decisions have enabled the Trump administration to gut the federal workforce and freeze funding.
grist.org/justice/supr...
#Climate #Law #Politics #Policy #Environment
Experts say the most impactful decisions have enabled the Trump administration to gut the federal workforce and freeze funding.
grist.org/justice/supr...
#Climate #Law #Politics #Policy #Environment
Reposted by Rob Smith
Please watch and share this story about Amara Strande, the incredible young woman behind Minnesota’s blanket ban on forever chemicals in consumer products. It is heartbreaking but also deeply inspiring. #PFAS
She fought to ban PFAS while dying of cancer. Now Minnesota has the nation's strictest law.
She fought to ban PFAS while dying of cancer. Now Minnesota has the nation's strictest law.
"Amara's Law" will reduce, then eliminate, the manufacture and sale of nonessential PFAS products by 2032.
cbsn.ws
July 2, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Please watch and share this story about Amara Strande, the incredible young woman behind Minnesota’s blanket ban on forever chemicals in consumer products. It is heartbreaking but also deeply inspiring. #PFAS
Reposted by Rob Smith
Happy Birthday to us 🎂 RIPTA began operations on this day in history, July 1, 1966. In the 59 years since then, we expanded service, added routes, and grown our ridership to create a truly statewide system. We're proud to keep you moving forward, Rhode Island!
July 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Happy Birthday to us 🎂 RIPTA began operations on this day in history, July 1, 1966. In the 59 years since then, we expanded service, added routes, and grown our ridership to create a truly statewide system. We're proud to keep you moving forward, Rhode Island!