Today I contacted assistant DEM Director Robert Ballou to ask him about the process of lobbying Director Coit to support 1 @ 28. He assured me that Director Coit has not yet reached a final decision and that she is fully aware that yesterday Mass recommended 1 @ 28 for all modes.
He also mentioned that: In rendering her final decision, she is bound by the RI Administrative Procedures Act. In accordance with the Act, and per the recommendation of DEM Legal Counsel, she must insulate herself, at this stage, from any further input from, or communications with, anyone outside of the agency viv-a-vis the pending regulatory decision. The reasons for that are fairness for all stakeholders, and maintaining the integrity of the rule-making process. The regulated community and the public as a whole need to be assured that public comments on proposed regulatory changes may only be offered as a matter of public record during the public comment period. Once that comment period closes, which it did last week, the Director can’t entertain further input, as that would open the door to undue influence outside the scope of the public process.
So we may be further ahead contacting Governor Raimondo through her Director of Constituent Services -
brad.inman@governor.ri.gov
She (Raimondo) may be the only one to have influence on the outcome at this point.
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