The latest in Rhode Island energy news
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From the Desk of the Commissioner: Nicholas Ucci
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Much has changed in our world over the past few months. I want to express my sincerest wishes for your continued health and safety during this difficult time. Today, I would like to offer some perspective on the road ahead and reassure you that our Administration and the Office of Energy Resources remain committed to advancing a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy future.
First, I want to acknowledge the response of our people, communities, and leadership during this unprecedented crisis. Governor Raimondo’s steady leadership and clear, consistent communication during these past weeks have strengthened Rhode Island. Moving forward, we must all play a part to improve (and sustain) public health, as well as support economic recovery wherever possible. Further, our communities will need to work together to support the most vulnerable among us. If the response to date has shown us anything, it is that the Ocean State – its families, businesses, community organizations, and governments – will rise to meet this challenge.
(Read the rest of the Commissioner's letter to the energy community
here
).
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OER, DPUC release Heating Sector Transformation Report
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The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers released their Heating Sector Transformation report on Earth Day, outlining pathways to achieve a clean, affordable, and reliable heating future for the Ocean State. The report was conducted pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo's Executive Order 19-06, calling for the agencies to lead a transformation of the heating sector by 2050 that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring Rhode Islanders have access to safe, reliable, and affordable heating solutions.
The Heating Sector Transformation Report, now available online at
www.energy.ri.gov/HST, evaluates various no-to-low carbon heating technologies and usage scenarios. It also provides policy principles that encourage the state to pursue natural investment opportunities, implement "no-regrets" investments, continue deployment of nation-leading energy efficiency programs, and ensure that electric- and gas-distribution system upgrades are "future-proofed" to enable decarbonized heating solutions at scale.
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State renews initiative to expand solar energy on brownfields
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Rhode Island is renewing an initiative to encourage solar projects located on brownfields. Brownfields — former industrial or commercial sites where future use is affected by environmental contamination — are often ideal locations for renewable energy projects. OER has committed $1 million in state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proceeds in addition to funds already provided in 2019.
This funding initiative will further support clean energy adoption across local communities. Starting May 5, 2020, newly-developed solar PV projects that are sited on brownfields will be eligible for this new round of project incentives through the Rhode Island Commerce's Renewable Energy Fund.
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OER joins multi-state collaborative to help states achieve 100% clean energy goals
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OER is joining the recently launched 100% Clean Energy Collaborative, which is a new initiative by the
Clean Energy States Alliance to provide critical information sharing among states that have established 100 percent clean energy goals for their electricity sectors.
In January 2020, Governor Raimondo
signed an executive order committing Rhode Island to meet 100 percent of its electricity demand with renewables by the end of the decade – a nation-leading initiative.
Executive Order 20-01 directs the state's Office of Energy Resources to conduct an economic and energy market analysis and develop actionable policies and programs to reach this goal.
There are 14 other states, plus the District of Columbia, that have set such goals.
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Electrify RI electric vehicle charging station incentive program names completed projects
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Last fall, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources launched Electrify RI, an electric vehicle (EV) charging station incentive program that seeks to make more charging stations accessible to Rhode Island drivers.
This $1.4 million incentive program is helping to fund the installation of new EV charging stations – including Level II and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) – at Rhode Island workplaces; multi-unit dwellings; and state, quasi and local government properties.
Electrify RI has been extremely successful. New EV charging stations have been installed at the following locations:
Barrington – DMD Asaro
Cumberland – Okonite Company
Middletown – Middletown School Department
Providence – Promenade Building Associates
Woonsocket – Ferland Property Management
As of today, the program has been nearly fully subscribed. However, limited funds are still available for level II multi-unit dwelling stations and publicly-accessible DC fast charge stations.
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RI’s largest state-owned office building reduces energy consumption by 27%
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Built in 1989, the William E. Powers Building in Providence houses over 800 state employees including the Departments of Administration and Revenue. It is the largest state-owned office building in Rhode Island and provides effective oversight, accountability and support of agency operations across state government.
The costs of heating and cooling the 250,000 square-foot building have grown over the years. This was due to an aging HVAC system which lacked adequate temperature and zone controls, requiring manual adjustments several times a day. This system was inefficient and expensive to manage.
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance, hired Siemens to design and install a modern climate control system.
Since installing the new system, the Powers Building has reduced its energy use between 15-27%!
To see how they did it, read the rest of the story
here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
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Hosted by the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
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Hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance
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Hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance
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Hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance
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Hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance
*Acting Commissioner Ucci to speak on panel
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Hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance
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Meeting to held online. Check website for details.
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Hosted by Social Enterprise Greenhouse
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Hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance
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Meeting to held online. Check website for details.
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*Events are subject to change. Always check the event website for updated times, dates and location details before you attend.
Would you like to add your energy-related event to our calendar? Send the details and event URL to our editor at
robert.beadle@energy.ri.gov
.
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