The Environment

This legislation would restructure the Coastal Resources Management Council by replacing it with a state department and shifting decision-making authority to professional staff. The bill aims to modernize coastal oversight and improve regulatory consistency.

This legislation would establish a deposit-refund system for beverage containers to increase recycling rates and reduce environmental waste. Consumers would pay a deposit that is refunded upon returning containers.

Sen. McKenney supports the Microplastics Reduction Act sponsored by Sen. Cano that would ban manufacturers from selling, offering for sale, or dstributing any products containing microplastics. 

This legislation would impose a fee on companies that sell fossil fuels in Rhode Island for consumption or distribution within the state. The bill outlined a "carbon pricing" mechanism to be implemented, aiming to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals. 

This legislation encourages the return of beverage containers, aiming to increase recycling rates and reducing polution. The bill did not pass, but has since been revived with support from Sen. McKenney during the 2025 session. An updated, and reintroduced version of the bill can be found under the link below.

Sen. McKenney supported legislation to reduce single-use plastic bag pollution to help mitigate the pollution's impact on oceans and marine life.