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This Month's
Fuel Prices
at a glance
*All m
onthly average costs based on time period
Dec. 24 - Jan. 22.
Check out
to stay up to date on current price trends!
Electricity and Natural Gas rates include delivery and supply service charges (to residential customers) and Gross Earnings Tax.
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Events/Meetings:
Public Meeting: RI Land-Based Wind Siting Guidelines
Monday, Feb. 8,
6-7:30pm
Warwick Public Library
600 Sandy Lane
Warwick, RI 02889
Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council
Thursday, Feb. 11,
3:30pm
1 Capitol Hill
2nd Floor
Conference Room B
Providence, RI 02908
Distributed Generation Board
Monday, Feb. 22,
4:00pm
1 Capitol Hill
Second Floor
Conference Room A
Providence, RI 02908
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RI Efficient Buildings Fund FAQ:
What types of energy efficiency projects will score well?
Comprehensive projects that include a good balance of electric, heating and non-lighting measures, and achieve at least a 20% reduction in total energy usage of the facilities will score well. Applicants that propose both energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will receive additional points. Applicants in Distressed Communities will also receive additional points.
Are previously completed projects eligible?
Per the "Efficient Buildings Fund Policies and Procedures", previously completed projects are eligible for financing, however, they will be placed at the bottom of the Project Priority List. For energy efficiency projects, measures implemented within the last two years can be counted toward the energy efficiency evaluation criteria, but would not receive financing. For example, LED lighting installed last year could be included in your proposal as part of a larger energy efficiency project.
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OER Announces New
Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
Last week,
United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and representatives of the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office joined with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) at the 2016 Northeast International Auto Show in the Rhode Island Convention Center to announce the availability of $200,000 in incentives for Rhode Island residents that purchase or lease a new electric vehicle (EV) from a licensed Rhode Island franchised automobile dealer.
The program, Driving Rhode Island to Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE), will be administered by OER with the goal of spurring the adoption of electric vehicles by Ocean State drivers. Through a partnership between OER and the Attorney General's Office, a total of $200,000 in funding will be available to qualified Rhode Island consumers on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualified applicants will be eligible for up to $2,500 in a direct consumer rebate tied to the purchase or lease of an eligible new electric vehicle and based on vehicle battery capacity.
"The Office of Energy Resources is excited to announce Rhode Island's first electric vehicle incentive program," said State Energy Commissioner Marion Gold. "The transportation sector accounts for 40 percent of total statewide energy expenditures, contributing 4.5 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere annually. The DRIVE program provides an incentive for local drivers to adopt this new technology as we pursue our goal of increasing the number of electric vehicles on Rhode Island roads and to help reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. We are happy to make this incentive program available to Ocean State consumers looking to purchase or lease a new electric vehicle."
Vehicles must be listed on OER's DRIVE Eligible Vehicle List at the time of purchase or lease to be eligible for a rebate. The purchase or lease must be executed on or after the program start date of January 29, 2016. Qualified electric vehicles must be new, constructed of new parts that have never been the subject of a retail sale and registered with the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). All applications are subject to review and approval by OER. For more information on the DRIVE program, please visit:
www.drive.ri.gov
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Governors' Wind Energy Coalition Welcomes Governor Raimondo
As Vice Chair
In January the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition welcomed Governor Gina Raimondo as the new vice chair of the Coalition for the 2016 term.
"As the governor of the first state in the nation to develop offshore wind resources, I look forward to working with other governors to expand offshore wind, and to collaborating with states in other parts of the nation to open new markets for wind power. Wind power expansion will create jobs, diversify our energy sources, and ensure long-term energy affordability," Governor Raimondo said.
Rhode Island has positioned itself as a leader in offshore renewable energy. The Block Island Wind Farm is opening new markets for private sector job creation and cleaner power, and illustrates the innovative approach Rhode Island has taken to lower energy costs and diversify energy supplies.
Over a decade ago, many of the nation's coastal governors supported the policies that created the today's robust land-based wind industry. Although the Coalition's efforts have always included both on shore and offshore wind energy, there remains tremendous opportunity to advance offshore wind opportunities from a national policy perspective. The Coalition looks forward to meeting in Rhode Island next year and seeing first-hand the amazing economic opportunity created by the Ocean State.
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Program Spotlight:
Municipal LED Streetlight Energy Efficiency Incentives Program
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The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) is pleased to announce the availability of $1,525,000 in financial incentives for qualified municipalities seeking to reduce their energy consumption and costs through the installation of light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights and control technologies. The increased incentives are being offered as part of the State's "Lead by Example" Initiative and are being made available thanks to the State's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
OER will make these funds available through enhanced incentives to qualified municipalities on a first-come, first-served basis. These enhanced incentives are being offered in addition to any applicable National Grid-administered incentives and represent a unique project cost savings opportunity for first-movers and early adopters.
Through this opportunity, municipalities that have acquired their lighting equipment and plan to retrofit their existing streetlights to more energy efficient LED technologies can apply to receive $0.40 per watt reduced for qualified LED fixtures and $20.00 for each remotely-programmable dimming control installed (as applicable). A qualified municipality can receive a total award of up to $300,000 in addition to any available National Grid-administered incentives.
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