Rob Smith
@robesmit.bsky.social
All news is local.
Reporting on the environment for ecoRI News.
Reporting on the environment for ecoRI News.
Perfect, no notes. Treat the Job Lot price stickers like mattress tags
February 12, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Perfect, no notes. Treat the Job Lot price stickers like mattress tags
a rotisserie chicken at most grocery stores will be between 5 and 8 dollars for about two pounds of meat which is actually a pretty good deal
Gen Zers and millennials are swimming in student debt and may never own homes, but they’re splurging on gut-healthy juices and rotisserie chickens.
The Booming Business of Luxury Grocery Stores
A new crop of gourmet grocers has hit the city, drawing lines of trendy TikTokers, MAHA-curious health fiends and Instacart devotees who want to pop in for a treat.
on.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:09 PM
a rotisserie chicken at most grocery stores will be between 5 and 8 dollars for about two pounds of meat which is actually a pretty good deal
my tuition for Rhode Island College was 6k or less for going full-time as an in-state resident lmao
Want to go to Brown University? It could cost you more than $97,000 a year.
My latest, via @bostonglobe.com / @globeri.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/10/m...
My latest, via @bostonglobe.com / @globeri.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/10/m...
Want to go to Brown University? It could cost you more than $97,000 a year. - The Boston Globe
The price hike comes as the Ivy League school confronts a $29 million budget deficit due in part to federal actions by the Trump administration
www.bostonglobe.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:51 PM
my tuition for Rhode Island College was 6k or less for going full-time as an in-state resident lmao
Reposted by Rob Smith
These are RI Energy's own numbers. The argument that renewables are the main cause of high power bills is fundamentally wrong. It's our over-dependence on a limited supply of natural gas (see "supply").
February 10, 2026 at 1:35 PM
These are RI Energy's own numbers. The argument that renewables are the main cause of high power bills is fundamentally wrong. It's our over-dependence on a limited supply of natural gas (see "supply").
Reposted by Rob Smith
REG was 2.3% of the average power bill as of last winter. It's a trivial expense for what we're getting & this should just stay on the bill.
Net metering cuts appear to be more reasonable. The program is semi-redundant to REG. But in general McKee is just mouthing utility talking points.
Net metering cuts appear to be more reasonable. The program is semi-redundant to REG. But in general McKee is just mouthing utility talking points.
February 10, 2026 at 1:31 PM
REG was 2.3% of the average power bill as of last winter. It's a trivial expense for what we're getting & this should just stay on the bill.
Net metering cuts appear to be more reasonable. The program is semi-redundant to REG. But in general McKee is just mouthing utility talking points.
Net metering cuts appear to be more reasonable. The program is semi-redundant to REG. But in general McKee is just mouthing utility talking points.
Reposted by Rob Smith
Members of Clinate Action RI attend Governor McKee’s press conference. More info here, and the full story and video later this afternoon. open.substack.com/pub/steveahl...
February 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Members of Clinate Action RI attend Governor McKee’s press conference. More info here, and the full story and video later this afternoon. open.substack.com/pub/steveahl...
say what you will about the local subreddits, but they're still small enough to have niche arguments like this
(the correct answer is Knightsville btw as the dividing line)
(the correct answer is Knightsville btw as the dividing line)
February 9, 2026 at 10:00 PM
say what you will about the local subreddits, but they're still small enough to have niche arguments like this
(the correct answer is Knightsville btw as the dividing line)
(the correct answer is Knightsville btw as the dividing line)
net metering and RE Growth were created 20 or so years ago to jump start the state's solar development industry... the industry probably doesn't need the subsidies, but I don't know how you successfully redesign these programs if you just focus on cost and not how we fund them to begin with
w/r/t McKee executive order: you know there's an actual discussion to be had with how to fund RE Growth and net metering programs for solar... but it would involve new taxes or revenue streams or money from the general fund which is verboten so the only option they have is cuts:
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 PM
net metering and RE Growth were created 20 or so years ago to jump start the state's solar development industry... the industry probably doesn't need the subsidies, but I don't know how you successfully redesign these programs if you just focus on cost and not how we fund them to begin with
w/r/t McKee executive order: you know there's an actual discussion to be had with how to fund RE Growth and net metering programs for solar... but it would involve new taxes or revenue streams or money from the general fund which is verboten so the only option they have is cuts:
February 9, 2026 at 6:47 PM
w/r/t McKee executive order: you know there's an actual discussion to be had with how to fund RE Growth and net metering programs for solar... but it would involve new taxes or revenue streams or money from the general fund which is verboten so the only option they have is cuts:
Reposted by Rob Smith
The governor is holding a presser today to bolster his proposal to slash energy efficiency & clean energy.
Toray Plastics, speaking at the presser, ironically has received large investments from these programs to help lower their energy usage and stabilize bills:
ripuc.ri.gov/sites/g/file...
Toray Plastics, speaking at the presser, ironically has received large investments from these programs to help lower their energy usage and stabilize bills:
ripuc.ri.gov/sites/g/file...
February 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The governor is holding a presser today to bolster his proposal to slash energy efficiency & clean energy.
Toray Plastics, speaking at the presser, ironically has received large investments from these programs to help lower their energy usage and stabilize bills:
ripuc.ri.gov/sites/g/file...
Toray Plastics, speaking at the presser, ironically has received large investments from these programs to help lower their energy usage and stabilize bills:
ripuc.ri.gov/sites/g/file...
honestly this will be me for this in April:
February 5, 2026 at 8:21 PM
honestly this will be me for this in April:
Reposted by Rob Smith
I didn't know about the four Resistance Houses in the RI Hospital Parking Lots. Very intriguing (although I have questions about the windows on the Prairie Ave house).
ppsri.org/advocacy/mep...
ppsri.org/advocacy/mep...
2026 Most Endangered Places - Providence Preservation Society
Every year, Providence Preservation Society (PPS) invites community members to nominate places to its annual Most Endangered Places (MEP) List to bring attention to vulnerable places and pressure poin...
ppsri.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:29 AM
I didn't know about the four Resistance Houses in the RI Hospital Parking Lots. Very intriguing (although I have questions about the windows on the Prairie Ave house).
ppsri.org/advocacy/mep...
ppsri.org/advocacy/mep...
Reposted by Rob Smith
For Rhode Island friends:
The Erika Niedowski Memorial Scholarship is currently taking applications. More information and apply at:
erikaniedowski.org
The Erika Niedowski Memorial Scholarship is currently taking applications. More information and apply at:
erikaniedowski.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:08 PM
For Rhode Island friends:
The Erika Niedowski Memorial Scholarship is currently taking applications. More information and apply at:
erikaniedowski.org
The Erika Niedowski Memorial Scholarship is currently taking applications. More information and apply at:
erikaniedowski.org
Reposted by Rob Smith
STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PETER ALVITI
The Providence Streets Coalition and Save RIPTA welcome new leadership at RIDOT that will have a multimodal, 21st century approach to transportation, respect and communicate with all residents, and center safety and transparency.
In full: tr.ee/Ia-k-7a9zt
The Providence Streets Coalition and Save RIPTA welcome new leadership at RIDOT that will have a multimodal, 21st century approach to transportation, respect and communicate with all residents, and center safety and transparency.
In full: tr.ee/Ia-k-7a9zt
February 4, 2026 at 5:31 PM
STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF PETER ALVITI
The Providence Streets Coalition and Save RIPTA welcome new leadership at RIDOT that will have a multimodal, 21st century approach to transportation, respect and communicate with all residents, and center safety and transparency.
In full: tr.ee/Ia-k-7a9zt
The Providence Streets Coalition and Save RIPTA welcome new leadership at RIDOT that will have a multimodal, 21st century approach to transportation, respect and communicate with all residents, and center safety and transparency.
In full: tr.ee/Ia-k-7a9zt
Reposted by Rob Smith
Today our newsroom welcomes new reporter Jonmaesha Beltran @jonmaesha.bsky.social. She'll be covering transit, food and farming, and sustainability for ecoRI News. Also, this is her first New England winter. Please send a warm welcome — and any news tips (or winter-survival tips!) her way.
February 4, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Today our newsroom welcomes new reporter Jonmaesha Beltran @jonmaesha.bsky.social. She'll be covering transit, food and farming, and sustainability for ecoRI News. Also, this is her first New England winter. Please send a warm welcome — and any news tips (or winter-survival tips!) her way.
Reposted by Rob Smith
End of an era at RI DOT as Peter Alviti steps down
Key figure in Gina Raimondo's rise through labor-corporate transportation plan
-Privatization of engineering and construction risk
-Big increase in spending
-More construction jobs
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2...
Key figure in Gina Raimondo's rise through labor-corporate transportation plan
-Privatization of engineering and construction risk
-Big increase in spending
-More construction jobs
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2...
Peter Alviti Jr. is stepping down at RIDOT. What we know.
Alviti to step down at RIDOT
www.providencejournal.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:29 PM
End of an era at RI DOT as Peter Alviti steps down
Key figure in Gina Raimondo's rise through labor-corporate transportation plan
-Privatization of engineering and construction risk
-Big increase in spending
-More construction jobs
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2...
Key figure in Gina Raimondo's rise through labor-corporate transportation plan
-Privatization of engineering and construction risk
-Big increase in spending
-More construction jobs
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Café workers at Seven Stars Bakery ratify new contract
"Thank you to our customers for supporting us throughout this journey,” said Stephanie Walker, a long-time employee and Shop Steward. "The community sticking by us means so much!”
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/cafe-worke...
"Thank you to our customers for supporting us throughout this journey,” said Stephanie Walker, a long-time employee and Shop Steward. "The community sticking by us means so much!”
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/cafe-worke...
Café workers at Seven Stars Bakery ratify new contract
"Thank you to our customers for supporting us throughout this journey,” said Stephanie Walker, a long-time employee and Shop Steward. "The community sticking by us means so much!”
steveahlquist.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Café workers at Seven Stars Bakery ratify new contract
"Thank you to our customers for supporting us throughout this journey,” said Stephanie Walker, a long-time employee and Shop Steward. "The community sticking by us means so much!”
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/cafe-worke...
"Thank you to our customers for supporting us throughout this journey,” said Stephanie Walker, a long-time employee and Shop Steward. "The community sticking by us means so much!”
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/cafe-worke...
one of these things does not belong
February 2, 2026 at 4:34 PM
one of these things does not belong
Reposted by Rob Smith
Looks like the first spoils of Trumps war on Venezuela is on its way - to Providence.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Venezuela's first shipment of liquefied petroleum gas has left Venezuela bound for the US
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced the country’s first shipment of liquefied petroleum gas has been exported to the U.S.
abcnews.go.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Looks like the first spoils of Trumps war on Venezuela is on its way - to Providence.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Reposted by Rob Smith
EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration has quietly lifted its ban on permits for wind farms unintentionally hurting or killing bald eagles, reversing a policy that implemented a longstanding Trump claim that wind farms are killing bald eagles en masse
My latest for @heatmap.news
My latest for @heatmap.news
Trump Administration Restarts Key Permitting Process for Wind Farms
The administration has lifted its ban on issuing permits for incidental harm to protected eagles while also pursuing enforcement actions — including against operators that reported bird deaths volunta...
heatmap.news
January 30, 2026 at 7:58 PM
EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration has quietly lifted its ban on permits for wind farms unintentionally hurting or killing bald eagles, reversing a policy that implemented a longstanding Trump claim that wind farms are killing bald eagles en masse
My latest for @heatmap.news
My latest for @heatmap.news
Reposted by Rob Smith
Get some exercise, beyond shoveling snow, and help ecoRI News at the same time. www.eventbrite.com/e/pedal-for-...
Pedal for the Planet
An indoor charity ride for ecoRI News.
www.eventbrite.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Get some exercise, beyond shoveling snow, and help ecoRI News at the same time. www.eventbrite.com/e/pedal-for-...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Some nice coverage of our new report on who's blocking action on climate in the Rhode Island legislature.
This is a "blue state" with huge Democratic majorities.
Yet 21 of 22 priority bills of statewide climate and environment organizations in 2025 died in committee.
ecori.org/the-usual-su...
This is a "blue state" with huge Democratic majorities.
Yet 21 of 22 priority bills of statewide climate and environment organizations in 2025 died in committee.
ecori.org/the-usual-su...
The Usual Suspects When It Comes Climate Action Obstruction in Rhode Island - ecoRI News
The first sentence of the report grabbed my attention. “After stunning successes in 2021 and 2022, climate action has slowed in Rhode Island.”
ecori.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Some nice coverage of our new report on who's blocking action on climate in the Rhode Island legislature.
This is a "blue state" with huge Democratic majorities.
Yet 21 of 22 priority bills of statewide climate and environment organizations in 2025 died in committee.
ecori.org/the-usual-su...
This is a "blue state" with huge Democratic majorities.
Yet 21 of 22 priority bills of statewide climate and environment organizations in 2025 died in committee.
ecori.org/the-usual-su...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Thanks, and HERE is the report that the lobbyists didn't like...
www.climatedevlab.brown.edu/post/who-s-o...
@shankman.bsky.social @fitzprov.bsky.social @globeri.bsky.social danmcgowan.bsky.social
www.climatedevlab.brown.edu/post/who-s-o...
@shankman.bsky.social @fitzprov.bsky.social @globeri.bsky.social danmcgowan.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Thanks, and HERE is the report that the lobbyists didn't like...
www.climatedevlab.brown.edu/post/who-s-o...
@shankman.bsky.social @fitzprov.bsky.social @globeri.bsky.social danmcgowan.bsky.social
www.climatedevlab.brown.edu/post/who-s-o...
@shankman.bsky.social @fitzprov.bsky.social @globeri.bsky.social danmcgowan.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Smith
seems like some important context for the massive chinese solar buildout in 2025 i haven't seen in a lot of other places
January 20, 2026 at 3:43 PM
seems like some important context for the massive chinese solar buildout in 2025 i haven't seen in a lot of other places