Building on the remarks he made in his 2022 State of the State address January 18, Governor Dan McKee announced that his FY2023 budget and ARPA spending plan will propose more than $150 million to fund a series of proposals that will not only reduce harmful greenhouse gasses and build more resilient communities, but it will also reinvigorate our economy by creating good paying jobs. The proposals the Governor announced today will have no impact on state general revenues.

Governor McKee's proposed energy investments include:

The report, entitled “Electrifying Transportation, A Strategic Policy Guide for Improving Public Access to Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Rhode Island” is now available online.

This was a joint effort led by OER, Department of Transportation (DOT) and Division Motor Vehicles (DMV), in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Department of Health (DOH).

The “Electrifying Transportation” report identifies several priorities for 2022 and beyond. These include:

The state announced the award of funds to develop highly energy efficient housing for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders. The demonstration program, Zero Energy for the Ocean State (ZEOS), is the result of a public-sector partnership between OER, RIHousing, and National Grid to explore innovative, replicable solutions to utilize cost saving, clean energy technologies in homes.

OER and RIHousing have committed a total of $750,000 in funding to three developers who will produce a range of building types in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state.

The state announced $117,876 in grants to help farmers "green" their operations and save energy and money. The awards, funded through the Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Grant Program, will support solar and energy efficiency projects at six local farms across the state.

At 1.29 square miles, with over 22,500 people, Central Falls is the smallest, most densely populated city in Rhode Island. It is also the only majority Hispanic community in the state. In 2021, the city unveiled its new brand and slogan, “Diversity That Inspires,” recognizing its rich cultural heritage.

Built in 1976, the Central Falls Calcutt Middle School, serves over 700 students in grades 5-8. The school was using older fluorescent lights and was overdue for an upgrade to newer LED smart lights.

Calcutt Middle School took advantage of a brand-new State program called the School LED Lighting Accelerator, which provides lighting, and other energy upgrades, free of charge to schools. In total, the school replaced 1,032 light fixtures in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, library, gym and other areas.