WBNA recognized by preservation society

PROVIDENCE – The West Broadway Neighborhood Association, the nonprofit that was the driving force behind an effort to stop National Grid from installing gas meters on the exterior of historic homes, last weekend was lauded by the Providence Preservation Society for its efforts.
At PPS’s Annual Historic Preservation Awards, on Feb. 7, WBNA was given the Community Involvement Award.
Since July 2008, WBNA, with just one full-time staffer, has been integral in mobilizing city and state officials to stop what they said was a property-rights infringement. (READ MORE)
“The West Broadway Neighborhood Association’s gas meter advocacy effort not only shows the organization’s commitment to historic preservation on the West Side of Providence, but also to the rights of urban-property owners everywhere,” PPS Executive Director George W. Born said in a statement.
And WBNA’s battle with National Grid has expanded from a neighborhood-based effort to a statewide concern. R.I. General Assembly legislation introduced this month would allow National Grid to move meters to the outside of homes only if a homeowner agrees. (READ MORE)
“Once we realized that all Rhode Island homes and property owners would be negatively impacted by this little-known aspect of National Grid’s larger gas main replacement program, the issue grew beyond our neighborhood to encompass private-property rights and the need for consumer protections for all Rhode Islanders,” WBNA Executive Director Kari Lang said.
Additional information about the Providence Preservation Society and its programs is available at www.ppsri.org.