Fulflex Inc., which is owned by The Moore Co., a Providence-based elastics and plastics company, will pay almost $200,000 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Clean Air Act violations at its Brattleboro, Vt.-based facility. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service of Rhode Island is currently accepting preproposals for applications for conservation-innovation grants, which are designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, the USDA announced Thursday. more

Portsmouth-based boatyard, New England Boatworks Inc. will pay a $31,500 penalty and take steps to reduce air emissions at its facility under a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA announced Wednesday. more

Water quality in Narragansett Bay and at beaches around Rhode Island is improving, but land development in coastal buffer zones and flood plains are “causes for concern,” according to an indicators report released by the Watershed Counts initiative. more

Two buildings in Rhode Island – Raymour & Flanagan Furniture in East Greenwich and Pocasset Bay Manor in Johnston – were judged some of the best in New England in the National Energy Star Building Competition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced. more

In the first round of 2013 grant funding through the Renewable Energy Fund, the R.I. Economic Development Corporation board of directors has approved a combined $184,334 to seven companies to support solar photovoltaic systems that will produce electricity in a “cleaner, more sustainable manner,” the quasi-state agency announced Tuesday. more

In an effort to stave nearly 1.64 million tons of food waste across New England, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) has brought on 26 regional colleges and universities, including three in Rhode Island. more

Utility company National Grid is warning its customers of a nationwide utility bill scam demanding over-the-phone payments for past-due balances. more

WALTHAM, Mass. – National Grid named John J. Donleavy executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s U.S. operations, which include more than 3 million electric and 3 million natural gas customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. more

(Updated, 3:30 p.m.) The state of Rhode Island is slated to receive $6.7 million for wildlife and sport fish restoration programs, announced U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. more