Christopher Kearns has been named Interim State Energy Commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER).

Kearns has worked for OER since 2011 and previously served as programming services officer, chief of program development, inter-departmental manager, and assistant director of special projects. 

Governor McKee said he looks forward to working with Interim Commissioner Kearns as OER continues to implement the Act on Climate and pursue additional clean energy innovations in the Ocean State.

State Energy Commissioner Nicholas Ucci stepped down in July after many years of loyal service to the State government. We wish him well in his future endeavors!

Governor Dan McKee has signed into law historic legislation proposed by his Administration that seeks to expand Rhode Island’s offshore wind energy resources. The new law requires a market-competitive procurement for between 600 and 1,000 MW of newly-developed offshore wind capacity. Rhode Island’s primary utility company, Rhode Island Energy, is required to issue the procurement no later than Oct. 15, 2022.

The RFP calls for an additional 600 to 1,000 MW of offshore wind which has the potential to meet at least 30 percent of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand. This electricity from the project has the potential to power about 340,000 homes each year. When added to the 30 MW Block Island Wind farm and the planned 400 MW Revolution Wind project, about half of the state’s project energy needs will be powered by offshore wind.

Governor Dan McKee launched DRIVE^EV, the Administration's new electric vehicle rebate program which opened to the public on July 7. DRIVE^EV supports the adoption of electric vehicles by Rhode Island residents, small-businesses, nonprofits, and public sector entities.

DRIVE^EV provides individual rebates of up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and up to $1,500 for new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The program also offers rebates of up to $1,500 for the purchase or lease of used BEVs and FCEVs and up to $750 for used plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. DRIVE^EV rebates are reserved and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

An additional incentive, DRIVE⁺, may provide up to $2,000 for individuals who purchase or lease an eligible EV and meet certain income requirements.

To learn more about this electric vehicle rebate program and its requirements, please visit www.drive.ri.gov.

Governor Dan McKee signed into law historic legislation to substantially increase renewable energy production and supply by requiring that 100 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity be offset by renewable production by 2033. Rhode Island is the first state in the country to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2033, the most aggressive renewable energy standard among any U.S. state.

The legislation (2022-H 7277A, 2022-S 2274Aaa) institutes annual increases in the state’s Renewable Energy Standard, the law that requires utility companies to purchase renewable energy certificates representing a certain percentage of the power they sell annually. Those certificates are traded in a regional marketplace.

Current state law requires annual 1.5 percentage point increases in the amount of electricity required to be generated from renewable sources through 2035. The legislation signed by the Governor accelerates those increases to achieve a 100 percent Renewable Energy Standard in 2033.

We are proud to recognize one of the winners of the 2022 Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards – Quonset Development Corporation.

The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) is home to over 200 companies, varying between small businesses to some of the States’ biggest energy consumers.

The QDC connects tenants of its business park with programs and resources that improve their operations, energy efficiency, and sustainability. To that end, the agency signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with National Grid in 2020 to assist tenant businesses with energy efficiency measures.

Read the rest of the article here.

In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Office of Energy Resources offers a grant program specifically designed to support clean energy upgrades for RI farms.

The Agricultural Energy Grant Program provides awards of up to $20,000 for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at Rhode Island Farms. The grant program holds two rounds of funding each year. The spring 2022 round saw a significant turnaround from the effects of COVID-19, announcing a total of $115,667 in awards to develop solar projects on six farms across RI.

This funding helps local farmers reduce their reliance on conventional fossil fuels while eliminating the energy-intensive carbon footprint of RI’s agricultural sector. Farmers can "green" their operations through the financial and environmental benefits offered by energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy procurement.

Funding for this program is made possible through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Since 2016, grants totaling over $892 thousand have supported a total of 50 projects.

Applications for the next funding round are due on November 4, 2022. For access to applications and more information about the program, please visit: http://www.energy.ri.gov/policies-programs/programs-incentives/farms.php.

Are you a college student interested in a career in the renewable energy sector? Are you attending school and/or living in Rhode Island? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then look no further than the Rhode Island Clean Energy Internship Program!

The internship program is a joint initiative between the RI Office of Energy Resources and Renewable Energy Fund. It aims to connect talented and passionate students with various Rhode Island companies that are working towards a greener future.

Students will be able to develop professional skills under the mentorship of an industry partner to combat real world problems in energy and the environment. This program provides a platform for companies to connect with talented young professionals looking to break into the energy sector.

As of summer 2022, the Clean Energy Internship Program has provided 50 students with internships across 21 different Rhode Island clean energy companies, 8 of whom continued to work for the companies post internship.

The application period for the fall 2022 session is currently open and will be accepting applications from students and host companies until August 12, 2022.

Visit https://refinternships.commerceri.com/ to apply today!