This program will focus on local fisherman who own/operate fishing vessels in the Rhode Island area. Many of the fishing vessels docked in Narragansett, Jamestown, Quonset and other coastal areas have old, unregulated diesel and gasoline engines that contribute to local air pollution, harming the workers on the boats and at these docks. Establishing a rebate program to replace aging marine propulsion and auxiliary engines on board these fishing vessels would improve the health of workers across Rhode Island ports. These funds could also be used as a state match for federal funding, ultimately allowing the state to access two additional dollars for every dollar provided through the TCI-P.
The program could offer funding on a rolling basis using rebate forms to qualify fishing vessels based on the amount of emissions reductions achievable.
Potential Stakeholders
Key stakeholders would include local governments, fish markets, Commercial Fisheries, Center of Rhode Island, RI Commercial Fisherman’s Association, RI Lobstermen’s Association, and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association