Environment & Energy
After its people, Rhode Island’s greatest resource is its environment.
Protecting the environment and environmental justice are important priorities of the Office.
From protecting public access to our state’s coastal and waterfront resources to making sure major energy facilities are properly regulated to protect the public, we have ramped up our environmental enforcement efforts. We continue to ensure that the public is accurately informed about projects that could impact Rhode Island communities, and we have engaged with DEM on multiple efforts to clean up the Port of Providence and hold polluters accountable.
In additional to our local enforcement efforts, we have been a consistent advocate on the national level in multi-state lawsuits and comment letters submitted to the EPA.
Attorney General Neronha urges PUC to reject Rhode Island Energy’s push for profits
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced that his Office has formally completed its advocacy on behalf of Rhode Islanders in Rhode Island Energy’s distribution of energy “rate case” before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), calling on the Commission to reject the Company’s attempt to increase its profits while Rhode Islanders increasingly struggle to afford energy costs. In June and July, the Office participated in 17 days of evidentiary hearings advocating on behalf of Rhode Island ratepayers, and recently submitted post-hearing positions to the Commission.
Federal Action
Alongside Democratic attorneys general across the country, Attorney General Neronha has sued the Trump Administration to protect Rhode Island's environmental resources and clean energy future. Learn more about our cases:
Paying for Pollution
Enforcement of Rhode Island’s environmental protection laws has always been a top priority for Attorney General Neronha. This Office's efforts have resulted in:
- an $11 million settlement with Barletta Heavy Construction for dumping contaminated fill in violation of state environmental laws
- settlements worth nearly $20 million with major gas companies for chemical contamination
- protecting Providence’s Mashapaug Watershed from stormwater runoff
- defending South Providence residents from Rhode Island Recycled Metals mismanagement
Attorney General Neronha announces $25 million settlement with Monsanto, Solutia, and Pharmacia for PCB Contamination
On May 18, 2026, Attorney General Neronha announced a settlement with Monsanto Company, and their affiliates, Solutia Inc. and Pharmacia LLC resolving Rhode Island’s claims against these companies for contamination from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxic chemicals that polluted Rhode Island’s waterways and natural resources.
Attorney General Neronha sues Quidnessett Country Club for construction of illegal seawall
On May 12, 2026, Attorney General Neronha announced his office has filed a lawsuit against Quidnessett Country Club for constructing an unpermitted seawall in violation of state law, and defying state regulators by refusing to remove the seawall and restore the coastline to its prior condition.
2025 Climate Action Strategy Comment Letter
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha offers the following comments in response to the Draft Executive Summary for the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council’s Rhode Island 2025 Climate Action Strategy, which was released for public comment on November 25, 2025.
Read the letter here.
Attorney General Neronha insists Rhode Island Energy pay consumers what they are owed
On October 24, 2025, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the filing of his position paper and supporting expert testimony with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) arguing that Rhode Island Energy’s proposed bill credits severely undervalue the amount owed to Rhode Island ratepayers.
Read the press release here.
Read the opinion paper here.
Read the expert testimony here.