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<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Mike Healey, DEM: 401-258-0787 Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="mailto:Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:#0066FF">Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="color:#0066FF"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">GOV. MCKEE, MAYOR ELORZA, ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">KICK OFF CAMPAIGN FOR $50 MILLION GREEN BOND<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">PROVIDENCE,
RI – Governor Dan McKee joined Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terry Gray, and leaders of Rhode Island’s major environmental advocacy, food security, and cultural organizations at Farm Fresh RI at an event
today aimed at building public support for the 2022 green bond, which is Question No. 3 on the referendum ballot in November.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Protecting Narragansett Bay and drinking water, strengthening the state against global warming, reclaiming contaminated brownfield sites for productive
reuse, conserving open space, building recreation facilities and playgrounds benefitting all 39 cities and towns, making critical investments in the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Roger Williams Park Zoo<span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"> — these and many other essential programs and projects that make life better for Rhode Islanders have been paid by green
bond proceeds. If passed by the voters, this year’s $50 million bond includes $16 million to fortify climate change resilience — reducing risks, prioritizing equity, and improving public safety in the state. Governor McKee included the green bond in his proposed
fiscal year 2023 budget and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and legislative leaders ensured that the measure was incorporated in the final budget enacted by the Rhode Island General Assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">“The $50 million 2022 green bond exemplifies
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">the power of government and public-private partnerships to solve problems and make people’s lives better,” said Governor McKee. “I intend for Rhode Island to emerge stronger and fairer
from the COVID pandemic than we were going into it. Voting yes on Question 3 will go a good way toward achieving it.”<span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">“Among the many measures the House passed this year to protect the environment, invest in renewable energy, and reduce pollution, I am proud that
our enacted fiscal 2023 budget included fully authorizing Question 3, the green bond,” said Speaker Shekarchi. “This year’s bond includes critical investments in building resilience against the effects of climate change, especially sea level rise and coastal
storm scenarios, which threaten Warwick and Rhode Island’s 20 other coastal municipalities.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">“If passed, the green bond
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">will deliver $50 million to capitalize much-needed infrastructure and other improvements in clean water, Narragansett Bay and watershed restoration, brownfield abatement and rejuvenation,
forestland preservation, open space conservation, and local recreation,” said President Ruggerio. “Climate action has never been more urgent and for this reason, I also appreciate the bond’s robust investment in resilience. Climate change is not some distant
threat. It is here and we are already feeling its effects.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“One of the best ways we can improve Rhode Islanders’ quality of life is making smart, bold investments that tackle today’s problems and chart a course for tackling
tomorrow’s too,” said Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “The 2022 green bond is just this kind of solution. Importantly, local people and local companies will undertake infrastructure projects that add value and create jobs here — not somewhere else. I am
also heartened to know that Question 3 includes a sizable investment in one of Providence’s most important cultural institutions and tourist attractions, the Roger Williams Park Zoo.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/green-bond-2022-green-bond"><span style="color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">Question No. 3, the green economy bond</span></a><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">,
includes the following components:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Municipal Resilience Program - $16 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">administered by the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://riib.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVeL6MAJL$"><span style="color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB)</span> [riib.org]</a><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"> to help local communities
restore and improve resiliency of vulnerable coastal habitats, river and stream floodplains, and infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.rwpzoo.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVXh_qtrK$"><b><span style="color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">Roger Williams Park Zoo</span></b> [rwpzoo.org]</a><b><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">
- $12 million </span></b><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">for the construction of a state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral education center and event pavilion. This project will help the Zoo meet technology demands for modern-day classrooms, increase student capacity,
expand its education programs for RI schools, and establish a large venue with seating capacity for lectures, assemblies, and artistic performances. Both projects will improve access and further enhance the Zoo’s positive economic impact on Roger Williams
Park, the City of Providence, and all of Rhode Island. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Small business energy loan program - $5 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">administered by RIIB to help small businesses “green” their operations by providing grants and zero or below market rate loans for implementation of clean energy
projects. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Narragansett Bay and watershed restoration - $3 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">to restore and protect water quality, aquatic habitats, and the environmental sustainability of Narragansett Bay and the state’s watersheds. Distributed as
matching grants, this infusion of funds will advance work toward clean and safe waters for drinking water, shellfishing, recreation, and other valued uses.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Forest and habitat restoration - $3 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">for forest health management and wildlife habitat projects including at state management areas. Rhode Island’s forests and trees offer watershed protection,
prevent soil erosion, purify our air, clean our water, and mitigate climate change.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Brownfields - $4 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">in matching grants to clean up former industrial sites or “brownfields” so they may revitalize our neighborhoods, be returned to tax rolls, and create jobs.
These projects have helped build new schools, businesses, affordable housing, and recreational space on formerly vacant properties throughout the state.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Open Space - $5 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">investment to protect open space to enhance our communities and fill gaps within state conservation areas. Protecting open space is a key to building a vibrant
quality of place. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Local recreation - $2 million
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">in matching grants to create new and improve existing community parks and recreation facilities. There have been nearly 550 grant-funded projects totaling more
than $80 million invested in improvements in all 39 Rhode Island communities since the inception of DEM’s Community Recreation Grant program in 1988.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">“Funding supplied by voter-approved green bonds is a catalyst that gives DEM the capability to do much of what we do to manage, protect, and restore
Rhode Island’s natural resources,” said Director Gray. “We are grateful to stand with so many leading organizations to make the case that passing Question No. 3 in November will help us become a better, more equitable state that will be better prepared to
meet the burden of climate change.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“Thanks to our Municipal Resilience Program, Rhode Island is already a national leader in helping our cities and towns invest in green infrastructure solutions to mitigate
the impacts of climate change from increased flooding events, to sea level rise, to rising temperatures,” said Jeffrey Diehl, CEO of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “Voting yes on the Question 3 Green Bond will supercharge our work by providing $16 million
to invest in resilience projects across the state. Projects like implementing green stormwater management systems to reduce stormwater runoff into Narragansett Bay, and planting trees to reduce heat in our urban communities. Approving Question 3 will also
invest $5 million in a new Small Business Energy Loan Program that will give our small businesses access to low-cost financing to complete energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that save money and reduce emissions. These are smart investments in
our cities, towns, and small businesses, and that’s why we’re asking Rhode Island residents to vote yes on Question 3.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="bumpedfont15"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">“The need to invest in a clean, green Rhode Island is more critical than ever as the urgency to address the climate crisis increases
with more extreme events from intense flooding to droughts,” said </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Priscilla De La Cruz, Senior Director of Government Affairs,
<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://asri.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVZ84UCHo$"><span style="color:#0066FF">Audubon Society of RI</span> [asri.org]</a>. “<span class="bumpedfont15"><span style="color:black">And the urgency to ensure that our beautiful Ocean State, its wildlife and their habitat, and our communities can
adapt to a changing climate and transition to a sustainable, green economy</span> also is essential.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">“Rhode Islanders recognize that our natural environment is one of our most valuable cultural and economic assets,” said Jed Thorp, RI State Director for
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.cleanwateraction.org/states/rhode-island__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVRTxuetF$"><span style="color:#0066FF">Clean Water Action</span> [cleanwateraction.org]</a><span style="color:black">. “I’m confident that voters will
see investing in clean water, open space, and climate resilience as smart investments for the future of our state.”</span></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“Passage of the $50 million Green Bond is a significant investment in the state’s climate action that will mitigate the impacts of climate change through increased investment
in green infrastructure,” said Patrick Crowley, Co-Chair <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://climatejobsri.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVRcEHvq-$">
<span style="color:#0066FF">Climate Jobs Rhode Island</span> [climatejobsri.org]</a> and Secretary-Treasurer of the RI AFL-CIO. “This investment will boost our state’s climate resiliency, while creating good-paying union jobs, and expanding access for small businesses to low-cost
financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will save them money and reduce carbon emissions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“The resilience of Rhode Island’s food system is bolstered by continued investment in green infrastructure, brownfield remediation, and the conservation of open spaces,”
said Jesse Rye, Co-Executive Director of <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmfreshri.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVVV7P1_n$">
<span style="color:#0066FF">Farm Fresh Rhode Island</span> [farmfreshri.org]</a>. “Green Bond Initiatives, like Question #3, give Rhode Islanders the opportunity to support meaningful efforts to positively impact the environmental future of our state.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“State Green Bond initiatives are critical to preserving important green spaces, forests, and parks in communities across Rhode Island,” said Kate Sayles, Executive Director
of the <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.rilandtrusts.org/about.htm__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVcnPqUVV$"><span style="color:#0066FF">Rhode Island Land Trust Council</span> [rilandtrusts.org]</a>. “Through partnerships between the State, municipalities, and conservation organizations like land trusts, significant landscapes
have been conserved for Rhode Islanders to enjoy. Voting Yes on 3 will provide an important investment of $5 million to conserve land, which will in turn boost our green economy, improve wildlife habitat and water quality, and continue to make our communities
great places to live.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“We know in our increasing urban society, that the first place that children encounter nature and wildlife is often the zoo,” said Roger Williams Park Zoo Executive
Director Stacey Johnson. “The education center provided by the bond will significantly expand the capacity of Roger Williams Park Zoo to nurture the next generation of scientists and environmentalists. This is a win for everybody.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“Narragansett Bay is the heart of Rhode Island, and Question #3 will take a significant step toward the meaningful restoration of its habitats and ecosystems,” said Jonathan
Stone, Executive Director of <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.savebay.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVW2mFWRB$"><span style="color:#0066FF">Save The Bay</span> [savebay.org]</a>. “We urge the people of Rhode Island to once again approve an important environmental bond question by voting ‘Yes on 3.’”<br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“The heatwaves this summer and the intense downpours on Labor Day weekend showed us a sample of the impacts of climate change we Rhode Islanders will continue to see,”
said Sheila Dormody, Director Climate and Cities Programs, <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/rhode-island/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVbe7VQ9r$">
<span style="color:#0066FF">The Nature Conservancy</span> [nature.org]</a>. “The bond’s investment in the Municipal Resilience Program will help us take action to create healthier communities for every day and be prepared for the storms to come.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">In Rhode Island, any statewide general obligation bond measure must be put to Rhode Island voters in the form of a referendum. Bond measures are proposed by the Governor
through inclusion in the annual budget request to the Rhode Island General Assembly. Both houses of the legislature must approve the inclusion of each bond measure in the final budget as passed. The House and Senate may raise or lower the amounts of bond revenue
requested by the Governor through this process. Proposed bond measures that remain in the budget are put on the ballot, held in November, as statewide referenda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">To download a factsheet on the green bond, visit
<a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/greenclean"><span style="color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov/greenclean</span></a><span style="color:#0066FF">.
</span>For more information about the <b>#YesOn3RI</b> <span style="color:#403F42">
coalition</span>, visit <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.yeson3ri.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVRMdgOf7$"><span style="color:#0066FF">https://www.yeson3ri.org/</span> [yeson3ri.org]</a> or follow Yes on 3 on Facebook (<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/YESon3RhodeIsland__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVUO_XDOM$"><span style="color:#0066FF">YESon3RhodeIsland</span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="color:#0066FF">)</span>,
Instagram (<span style="color:#0066FF">@</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/yeson3ri/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVXz_kpxo$"><span style="color:#0066FF">YesOn3RI</span> [instagram.com]</a>) , and Twitter (<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/YesOn3RI__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!N7kt0fkC9fqCa0Mq5waW5IXvlTh0DPzhl9fiJ7jJkzdL_h2XvqnNNIfLbfrWXQV9rYgWL2vVzigAYEiU3_C5VtOz-RFQVYWiXjzv$"><span style="color:#0066FF">@YesOn3RI</span> [twitter.com]</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;text-align:center;text-indent:-1.0in">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Michael J. Healey | Chief Public Affairs Officer</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">401-222-4700, X277-7273</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Email: </span><a href="mailto:michael.healey@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">michael.healey@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Web: </span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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