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This Month's
Fuel Prices
at a glance
*All m
onthly average costs based on
February rates.
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:
Energy Efficiency & Resource Management Council
Full Council
Thursday, Mar. 16
3:30-5:30pm
1 Capitol Hill
Second Floor
Conference Room A
Providence, RI
Distributed Generation Board
Monday, Mar 27,
4:00-5:30 p.m.
1 Capitol Hill
Second Floor
Conference Room A
Providence, RI
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Governor Announces Goal to Reach 1,000 MW of Clean Energy By 2020
Governor Gina Raimondo announced a strategic goal on March 1 to increase Rhode Island's clean energy use by 10 times by the end of 2020. In 2016, the baseline year for this goal, Rhode Island had approximately 100 megawatts of clean energy. Since then, Rhode Island has become the first and still only state with an operational offshore wind farm.
"Every step we take toward a clean energy future is a step toward a stronger, more sustainable environment and economy. Our commitment to expand our clean energy portfolio will help lower energy costs, create jobs and protect the beauty of our state for future generations," said Governor Raimondo. "As the technology advances, an affordable, clean energy future is no longer simply a dream. Because of the investments we've made and with partnerships across the state, we will increase the amount of clean energy in Rhode Island by 1,000 percent and we'll double our green economy workforce."
The goal will include energy from a broad portfolio of clean energy resources, including offshore and onshore wind and solar. Homeowners, municipalities, institutions and private commercial and industrial enterprises can contribute to the goal with smart investments in clean energy. During her State of the State address, Governor Raimondo announced a similar strategic goal to double the number of Rhode Islanders working in green energy jobs by 2020. In 2015, nearly 10,000 Rhode Islanders worked in the green economy.
Lead by Example Energy Awards Issues Call for Nominations
Does your state agency or municipality have a recent clean energy or efficiency project worthy of public recognition? We want to hear about it!
These awards will recognize state agencies and municipal governments for significant contributions toward the promotion and implementation of comprehensive clean energy measures that advance Lead by Example goals, as set forth by Governor Raimondo in a December 2015 Executive Order.
Leading by Example promotes the adoption of clean energy measures across public sector facilities and state agencies. State and municipal employees are helping to reduce energy burdens and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions consistent with Rhode Island's economic, energy and environmental policy goals. This work frequently goes unheralded, but is a critical tool in addressing constrained budgets and carbon footprints across government.
To be considered, download the award application form from the
OER website
, answer the questions and submit it to OER by March 15, 2017 at 4:00 PM. Anyone may make project nominations. Please note that all projects MUST be at least 25% constructed.
SolarizeRI Begins Spring Round
Now in its fourth year, Solarize Rhode Island is currently soliciting RFPs from municipalities for its spring round.
The Municipal Request for Application is now available on the
OER Solarize website
. The program can accept up to five municipalities for the spring round of the program.
SolarizeRI, a joint effort between the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources,
Commerce RI
and local communities, uses pre-selected installers and access to flexible financing to make going solar easy and affordable for all Rhode Island residents.
The program allows for a competitive tiered pricing structure that ultimately increases the savings for everyone as more home and business owners sign contracts. Nearly 400 residents and business owners have signed contracts for small-scale solar electricity systems with the program. In addition, hundreds more have been educated about the economic and environmental benefits of solar electricity, energy efficiency and other clean energy technologies.
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Located within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area, on the shores of Bowdish Reservoir, the 100-acre George Washington Memorial Camping Area is an overnight, primitive camping facility offering a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. There are 45 well-spaced gravel sites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs.
If you are visiting the campground this season, you will notice that many of the lighting fixtures along the roadways have solar panels mounted on them. These lights operate entirely on 160W solar panels, independent of the power grid. They are extremely efficient too. For every one day of solar charging, the lights can operate for up to four days without a recharge.
The project was made possible by the Department of Environment Management in partnership with the Office of Energy Resources and is part of the State's Lead by Example initiative to reduce the state's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more, visit our
Lead by Example page.
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Newport Energy and Environment Commission
Shauna Beland, chief of program development, will be speaking at the Newport Energy and Environment Commission meeting on March 13, 6-8 pm at the Newport Public Library. Her topic is "Why renewable now? Newport's comprehensive plan goals and State targets for municipalities." The Newport's Energy & Environment Commission's mission is to advise the city council and the public on issues regarding energy and the environment. NEEC meets on the second Monday of each month and meetings are open to the public.
Volkswagen Settlement - Proposals Sought
The State of Rhode Island is set to receive nearly $13.5 million dollars in settlement funding for projects that reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and to invest in clean vehicle technology. There may be funding available to purchase, install, operate and maintain zero emission vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The Office of Energy Resources and Department of Environmental Management are soliciting feedback on identifying desirable locations for charging stations (public places, libraries, workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, etc.). To submit a proposal, please
click here.
Efficient Buildings Fund is officially open
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