2023 Rhode Island Clean Jobs Report

As detailed in the 2023 Rhode Island Clean Energy Industry Report, the state’s clean energy sector added 400 jobs between the last quarters of 2021 and 2022, totaling 14,500 clean energy jobs across the state.

The largest increase of employment from the end of 2021 to the end of 2022 was within the renewable and efficient heating and cooling and renewable energy technology sectors. The renewable and efficient heating and cooling technology sector added just over 100 jobs, an increase of 2.7 percent from the previous year, while renewable energy added just under 70 jobs, an increase of 3.2 percent.

Click here to download the 2023 Clean Energy Jobs Report.

Click here to view the 2023 Clean Energy Jobs Report.

Click here to view the 2023 Clean Energy Jobs infographic.

Governor McKee, Senator Reed, OER Launch First State-Specific Energy Efficiency Upgrade Saving Calculator

In an effort to help Rhode Islanders save money and the environment, Governor Dan McKee, Senator Jack Reed and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources launched the first state-specific calculator from Rewiring America. The new calculator helps homeowners and renters find out how much they can save by taking advantage of new electrification incentives.

To use the calculator, Rhode Islanders will only need to input a few details about their households to get personalized estimates about how much they can save on efficient electric appliances and energy-saving technologies. Rewiring America estimates that American households can receive $10,600 on average in federal incentives to help with electrification which in turn can save households an average of $1,800 per year on energy bills!

Gov. McKee Announces the Launch of Phase 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program

Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced the commencement of the Phase 1 projects of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.

The focus of this first phase is the installation of electric vehicle DC Fast Chargers (Level 3) charging stations located at the Ashaway Park & Ride and Route 117 Park & Ride in Warwick. These Park & Ride locations will each be equipped with two new electric vehicle DC Fast Chargers (Level 3) capable of charging an electric vehicle up to 80 percent within 20 to 40 minutes.

Governor McKee, OER and DEM Announce Recipients of RI Agricultural Energy Grants

Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resource and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management have awarded $256,000 in grants to help farmers “green” their agricultural operations, by reducing carbon footprint while saving money on energy expenses. The awards, funded through the Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Grant Program, will support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects at 14 local farms across the state. This is the largest number of applications received and awarded in one round since the program launched in 2016. 

Fall 2023 funded projects include: 

Bailey Beattie Apiaries: $20,000 

Barrington Farm School: $7,176 

Bramblenook Farm: $20,000 

Breene Acres Family Farm: $20,000 

Burgess Homestead: $20,000  

Hoofprint Farm: $20,000 

Little River Farm: $20,000 

Matunuck Shellfish Hatchery: $20,000 

Ocean State Honey: $20,000 

Skye Pechie: $20,000 

Southside Community Land Trust: $12,483 

Stony Brook Farm: $20,000 

Watch Hill Farms: $20,000 

Water Way Farm: $16,047 

Governor McKee Highlights Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources 2023 Accomplishments

In 2023, the Office of Energy Resources made significant progress toward achieving the objectives outlined Rhode Island's Act on Climate. OER has been focused on creating programs and policies that respond to Rhode Island’s evolving energy needs and growing the state’s clean energy economy.

To view the extensive list of accomplishments, please visit OER's website.

Governor McKee, Rhode Island Congressional Delegation & OER Launch $2.6M Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program for Municipalities

Governor McKee, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation and the Office of Energy Resources announced the launch of the $2.6 million Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program with $1.6 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $1 million from the state’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program. 

These funds for municipalities are available to support the reduction of carbon emissions, community energy use, as well as improve the efficiency of facilities and contribute to the growth of the clean energy economy.

Every municipality is eligible to receive funding through the EECBG program. Federal guidelines have determined the amount of federal funds each community will receive. These exact dollar amounts may be viewed on the OER website. 

Sarah Doherty joins OER as Thermal Programs Manager

Sarah Doherty has joined OER as the Thermal Programs Manager.

We are thrilled to have her on our team and asked her to introduce herself to our readers.

Please tell us about your background.

I spent the last five years working as the operations manager for the energy efficiency and electrification department at Energy New England, a Massachusetts-based joint action agency that represents half of the state’s municipal light plans.

What led you to work at OER?

I value public service and the role was a great opportunity to expand upon my previous experience in public power. I’m looking forward to increasing my knowledge of thermal energy and implementing energy efficiency and electrification programs for Rhode Islanders.

Read the rest of the interview.

January 25

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Capital Upgrades: How to know when you need one and what's next

Hosted by the Building Operator Certification

*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 Natalie.Bishop.CTR@energy.ri.gov.