ACTIVISM PIRG builds its profile in R.I. BY ALEX CARP

Seventeen times last year, unhealthy smog levels made it dangerous for many Rhode Islanders to be outside. The airborne particles that cause smog alerts can lead to asthma attacks and have been linked with heart and lung disease. Even perfectly healthy people can be left short of breath. Recognizing air pollution as a serious threat to public health, the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group (RIPIRG) is taking action to try to diminish the problem.

Based out of an office on West Exchange Street in Providence, RIPIRG is part of a national network of more than 25 state chapters designed to work independently to uncover threats to the public and encourage remedies in the form of activism and legislation. As Matthew Auten, RIPIRG’s clean air associate, puts it, "We at RIPIRG really believe that everyone has the right to breathe clean air. We’re obviously a long way from that now."

Auten started the clean air initiative by focusing on findings that some pollutants, such as benzene — found in parts of the state in quantities six to 11 times higher than those deemed a safe cancer risk by federal regulations — are linked to leukemia, anemia, and immune system damage. Cars, light trucks, and minivans were found to be the largest source of Rhode Island’s smog and toxic air pollution. To increase public awareness on this issue, RIPIRG organized door-to-door canvassing last summer through most of the state. College student volunteers, organized and trained by Eric Bourassa, last summer’s canvassing director, joined Auten in speaking with thousands of people.

"What we’re really trying to do is get people excited about the democratic process," Bourassa says. "It’s not that often that you come to someone and talk to them at their door about something that’s affecting their lives, bridging the gap between people and politics."

Although MASSPIRG in our neighbor to the north has a staff of 20 and more than 25 years of activism under its belt, RIPIRG — operating formally since June 2001 — functions with just two full-time staffers, Auten and associate Kate Canada, in the non-summer season. "We’re still getting into the issues here in Rhode Island, still becoming players at the state house and working to get legislation passed," Canada says. "But we’re taking the model of all the state PIRGs, which is working hard to protect the public interest."

RIPIRG is currently urging Governor Donald L. Carcieri to pass the Clean Cars Standard by the end of the year. This legislation, already passed in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Maine, would mandate the strongest tailpipe emission standard allowed under federal law, while strengthening backing for hybrid cars and such zero-emission technologies as fuel cells (more info about RIPIRG can be found on its Web site, www. ripirg.org). As Canada says, "All of the issues we are working on directly affect Rhode Island and are things that the people can act to change."