The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000 to the city of Fall River. more

To the Editor: The R.I. Department of Environmental Management is again on record as opposing economic growth and its corollary, jobs. The DEM (an acronym for Delay Economic Momentum) recently objected to a legislative proposal to prevent the expiration of building permits issued to developers by local and state regulatory agencies. more

Portsmouth-based boatyard, New England Boatworks Inc. will pay a $31,500 penalty and take steps to reduce air emissions at its facility under a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA announced Wednesday. more

Whether or not Hurricane Sandy had a connection to climate change, the latter will make future Hurricane Sandys more common, imposing enormous costs on cities. more

Rhode Island is slated to receive nearly $4.5 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior to help repair historic properties and clean up wildlife refuges damaged by Hurricane Sandy, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced Tuesday. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service of Rhode Island is currently accepting preproposals for applications for conservation-innovation grants, which are designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, the USDA announced Thursday. more

First Wind, in an acquisition of Victus Solar developments in three Massachusetts towns, now holds the rights to just over 26 megawatts in solar-electric projects, reported the Boston Business Journal. more

After claims that its Warren shipbuilding and ship repair facility had violated the federal Clean Air Act National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Facilities, Blount Boats Inc. has agreed to pay a $24,000 penalty and spend at least $230,000 on a clean air project. more

Kent Dresser was recently appointed executive director of Clean The Bay, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit. He brings to his role more than 20 years of maritime-industry experience, including 14 years serving as a captain for Safe/Sea. Dresser is the founder and president of Confident Captain/Ocean Pros., a maritime training facility in Newport. He holds a bachelor’s degree in coastal and marine-policy studies from the University of Rhode Island as well several professional certifications. more

At its 18th annual Environmental Merit Awards ceremony, the Narragansett Bay Commission recognized 21 local companies that achieved perfect regulatory compliance and outstanding pollution prevention throughout the year. more