Governor Dan McKee, joined by Senator Dawn Euer, Representative Arthur Handy and state and local officials, announced that legislation has been introduced which would require a market-competitive procurement for approximately 600 MW of newly-developed offshore wind capacity. If enacted, Rhode Island’s primary utility company would be required to issue the procurement no later than August 15, 2022.

The state is home to North America’s first operational offshore wind farm (Block Island) and, in 2019, received a critical state approval for the 400 MW Revolution Wind offshore project. This latest effort is in line with the 2021 Act on Climate, signed by Governor McKee last April. The Act on Climate sets mandatory, enforceable climate emissions reduction goals culminating in net-zero economy-wide emissions by 2050.

An additional 600 MW of offshore wind would further expand the state’s clean energy portfolio, with the potential to meet 30 percent of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand. This is equivalent to powering roughly 340,000 homes each year. Including the 30 MW Block Island Wind farm and the planned 400 MW Revolution Wind project, offshore wind would cover 50 percent of the state’s projected energy needs.

Governor Dan McKee, joined by Energy Commissioner Nicholas S. Ucci, announced the establishment of an electric vehicle (EV) rebate program by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER). The program, called DRIVEEV, will be made available to state residents by the summer of 2022 and supported by an initial $1.25 million commitment by OER.

The adoption of sustainable transportation solutions, such as electric vehicles for commuters and fleets, is crucial to Rhode Island’s fight against climate change and achieving the mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals contained in the 2021 Act on Climate. The Act on Climate requires a 45 percent reduction in the state’s GHG emissions by 2030, leading to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Currently, the transportation sector accounts for more than one-third of statewide greenhouse gas emissions

Speaking at an event held at the Capital Good Fund’s new Level 3 electric vehicle fast-charging station, the Governor highlighted complementary funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will be used to increase the number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations across Rhode Island. Together, the two initiatives will increase electric vehicle adoption and ensure more convenient and accessible charging locations for commuters.

The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) has installed a rooftop solar array on the 56 Troop Command Armory Building at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich. Marissa Pereira, energy program manager for RIARNG, discusses the project and her process of working with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to procure funding and technical assistance. At 207kW, this solar array is the second largest on a state facility in Rhode Island. Newport Renewables performed the installation.

The National Solar Tour is a chance for proud owners of a solar PV system to provide an open house tour of their system and educate their neighbors about the benefits and cost savings of going green.

The National Solar Tour will be taking place from October 1-2, 2022.

We need hosts! If you are interested in learning more and signing up, please visit https://www.nationalsolartour.org/signup/.

Steve Chybowski joined OER in December 2021 as chief of program development with a focus on energy efficiency, buildings optimization and decarbonization. We are delighted to have him on our team and asked him to introduce himself to our readers.

A: I completed my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and my graduate studies at Indiana University. After college, I worked with the City of Fishers, Indiana where I led the City’s sustainability efforts and developed the community’s first greenhouse gas emissions inventories. Then, I worked with Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute where I provided education and training to local government staff throughout the state of Indiana on energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities. In 2021, I moved to Rhode Island and joined OER where I now lead its energy efficiency programming.

The RI Office of Energy Resources has partnered with RI Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to offer 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.

This funding helps local farmers "green" their operations and benefit from the related energy and cost savings through energy efficiency projects and by transitioning to renewable power.

Funding for this program is made possible through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Since 2016, grants totaling over $770 thousand have supported more than 40 projects.

Applications for the next funding round are due on April 22, 2022. For access to applications and more information about the program, please visit: http://www.energy.ri.gov/policies-programs/programs-incentives/farms.php.