PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A new study estimates that Rhode Island’s greenhouse gas emissions are higher than previously calculated.
Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab and the Stockholm Environment Institute calculated that the state’s emissions in 2017 were about 45% higher than estimated in Rhode Island’s climate planning study.
The study released Thursday was based on updated science on methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure and its short-term impacts.
The researchers suggest shifting to electric cars and heating systems, insulating homes, getting rid of old appliances and expanding offshore wind development.
They planned to present their findings Thursday to Rhode Island’s Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council.
Climate lab director Timmons Roberts says the study’s ideas can be applied to other states because the big picture is largely the same, due to natural gas leakage.
