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Council questions city role in Rhode Island Energy vegetation management notices
Summary
Council members asked whether the city routinely reviews and responds to vegetation management plans filed by Rhode Island Energy; Director Moretti said administration staff typically reviews such plans and can flag environmental concerns.
Council members at the July 28 meeting asked whether the city responds to vegetation-management notices filed by Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid) and what the administration’s role is in reviewing those plans.
Councilwoman Graziano asked if the city generally submits comments on the utility’s vegetation management standards and practices. Director Moretti, the city’s chief of staff, said administration staff do review the plans against GIS mapping and inform Rhode Island Energy if known resources are present. "When they're doing some of these cuttings, if I know there's rare, threatened, or endangered species, I make a comment," Moretti said. He added that staff flag wetlands, brooks or city open space and request that herbicides not be applied to those areas.
Moretti said the city’s comments are advisory — utility companies are not required to follow them — but that Rhode Island Energy generally takes the feedback into consideration. Council members did not direct formal action; the item remained an informational notice on the agenda.
