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Attorney General Neronha Statement on Rhode Island Recycled Metals Fire

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today issued the following statement regarding today’s fire at Rhode Island Recycled Metals (RIRM):

 

“Rhode Island Recycled Metals presents an ongoing environmental nuisance and public safety hazard that this Office has, for years, fought against in court, alongside efforts by our neighboring communities and stakeholders.

Today’s fire at their facility is yet another example of RIRM’s inability to safely operate. This afternoon, our Office appeared before Superior Court Justice Brian Stern to request that the court order RIRM to immediately shut down their operations. We also argued for the court to immediately convert the special mastership into a receivership. 

The Court took these matters under advisement and scheduled a hearing for Friday, July 12 at 11 a.m.  RIRM has agreed that it will not resume operations prior to the hearing.

My Office will now be formally filing a motion for an emergency preliminary injunction to shut down RIRM's operations, and to convert the special mastership into a receivership.

It has now become more than evident that the monitoring and oversight provided by the special mastership is not enough—our Office will continue to argue that to adequately protect the public, the full operational control of a receivership is required.”

The Office will provide updates as they are available.

The Labor Day travel rush is underway. According to Triple-A, drivers who left before noon today were likely to beat the heaviest traffic heading to their holiday destinations. Saturday between 6 and 10 a.m., Sunday before 11 a.m. and Monday before noon are other suggested travel windows. Meanwhile, the TSA says it will screen more than 17 million people over the period.        The White House plans to cut billions in foreign aid funding. On Thursday, President Trump moved to cut four-point-nine-billion-dollars in foreign aid through a seldom-used budgetary tactic dubbed "pocket rescissions." It is a maneuver where the president attempts to cancel funding in a window of time when Congress is in recess.        Rain from the Southwest to the Southeast may throw a wrench in the Labor Day weekend. Flash Flood Warnings had been put in place in areas of Louisiana and Mississippi earlier today. Parts of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Alabama also face the biggest threat of large amounts of rainfall.        The next showdown over President Trump's immigration crackdown is likely to happen in Chicago. Multiple reports say ICE is planning expanded operations as soon as next week, much like the ones recently carried out in Los Angeles. FOX News reports that just like in Los Angeles, the White House is prepping contingency plans to send in the National Guard if any ICE protests get out of hand.        Kyle Schwarber made history Thursday night. The Phillies slugger set the franchise record with nine runs batted in after going four for six with four home runs in Philadelphia's 19-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. Schwarber is the fourth player in franchise history to hit four home runs in a single game. It's the 21st time in major league history any player has had a four-homer game.        The summer box office is winding down. Zach Cregger's "Weapons" is looking to get back on top with a projected 14-point-three million dollars over the four-day holiday weekend. Disney's "Freakier Friday" is projected to take in eleven-point-four-million dollars followed by new release "The Roses." The Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman comedy could bring in as much as 10-million dollars. "Kpop Demon Hunters A Sing-Along Event" is expected to draw younger crowds after last weekend's limited released.       

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