The latest in Rhode Island energy news
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From the Desk of the Commissioner
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Racial equity is now on the forefront of our national conversation, compelling all of us to examine implicit biases, as well as our institutions, as we seek to create a more inclusive community. During this turbulent time, we are following Governor Gina Raimondo’s leadership and as she implements
“RIse Together,” a new vision for a more equitable and resilient Rhode Island, created in coordination with community and youth leaders as a first step to combat racial inequities in our state.
At OER, we affirm that all Rhode Islanders should have access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy, including frontline and environmental justice communities. OER is committed to integrating energy justice into its work by examining our programs, initiatives, and policies to advance equity across the energy sector; educating our staff on equity and justice principles; and improving our public participation processes to make them more accessible to (and inclusive of) marginalized communities and communities of color.
(Read the rest of the Commissioner's letter to the energy community
here
).
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OER Launches COVID-19 resources webpage to help residents, businesses and energy vendors find support
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Are you a Rhode Island resident, business owner or energy vendor who is looking for help paying your energy bills and lowering your costs?
OER has launched a new COVID-19 Health & Energy Resources webpage at
http://www.energy.ri.gov/COVID-19/. This webpage gathers resources from a variety of government agencies, utilities, community action partnerships and other non-profits, to guide you to the right place to find support during the current health crisis.
Get help with making your energy bill payments, discover how to reduce your energy use, protect yourself and your customers, get access to emergency funds and more.
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State launches community solar marketplace website making green energy more accessible to Rhode Islanders
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OER recently announced the launch of the Community Solar Marketplace website at
risolarmarketplace.com, which educates Rhode Island residents about the benefits of community solar and provides a single place for visitors to preview the growing list of community solar projects in development and subscribe to them.
"To achieve a decarbonized energy future, it is vital that we find innovative ways to connect all Rhode Islanders to clean and affordable energy solutions. Community solar is one tool to do just that," said Nicholas S. Ucci, State Energy Commissioner. "The new Community Solar Marketplace website will help link local residents – including those who cannot install solar on their rooftops, renters, and condo owners – to the benefits of locally generated solar power, while shrinking their carbon footprint and supporting local clean energy jobs."
The Rhode Island Community Solar Marketplace website is organized into several sections that educate visitors about the opportunities to get involved with community solar, including a description of how community solar works, a database of all the community solar projects completed and in progress, subscription information, and frequently asked questions.
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State approves Block Island energy efficiency plan
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Block Island Utility District's (BIUD) new comprehensive energy efficiency plan received Public Utilities Commission approval in May. BIUD's new energy efficiency programs and incentives will help local residents and businesses reduce energy consumption and costs, shrink carbon footprints, and support clean energy jobs. The energy efficiency plan will provide enhanced access to important, cost-effective energy efficiency measures, such as building weatherization, programmable thermostats, and the replacement of aging and inefficient HVAC systems.
OER has committed technical assistance and $180,000 in state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds to support these investments over the next three years.
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Rhode Island gives boost to Zero Energy Ready Homes
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Rhode Island is leading the way to greater investment in high performance, low-energy homes by using the DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home Program as an energy stretch code compliance pathway.
The state’s stretch code is voluntary and applies to residential and low-rise multifamily projects. National Grid is taking things a step further by offering incentives worth $1,000s to builders who are constructing Zero Energy Ready Homes with the utility’s Residential New Construction (RNC) program.
The utility’s RNC program is offering technical support, including HERS ratings, energy modeling, design assistance, and field inspection assistance in addition to these major financial incentives. This level of technical support helps “de-risk” the learning curve for builders and gives them an opportunity to optimize design and construction strategies.
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Electrify RI electric vehicle charging station incentive program names completed projects
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OER's Electrify RI, a $1.4 million incentive program, is helping to fund the installation of new EV charging stations – including Level II and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) – at Rhode Island workplaces; multi-unit dwellings; and state, quasi and local government properties.
New EV charging stations have been installed in:
Barrington: Dr. Mathew Asaro, DMD –
Publicly-Accessible
Barrington: Police Cove Park –
Publicly-Accessible
Middletown: Middletown High School –
Publicly-Accessible
Newport: Mainstay Hotel –
Publicly-Accessible
Providence: Public Safety Garage –
Publicly-Accessible
Cumberland: Okonite Company –
Workplace
East Greenwich: ON Semiconductor –
Workplace
Cranston: Independence Place –
Multi-Unit Dwelling
Providence: Promenade Building Associates –
Publicly-Accessible and Multi-Unit Dwelling
Providence: Laurelmead Cooperative –
Multi-Unit Dwelling
Providence: 1290 Westminster LLC –
Multi-Unit Dwelling
Warwick: Pontiac Mills –
Multi-Unit Dwelling
Woonsocket: Four Seasons North Apartments –
Multi-Unit Dwelling
As of today, the program has been nearly fully subscribed. Limited funds are still available for level II multi-unit dwelling stations and publicly-accessible DC fast charge stations.
Visit the Electrify RI
webpage for more information.
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Free public building energy audits available until August 28.
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Through the Efficient Buildings Fund, the R.I. Office of Energy Resources and its partners, National Grid and The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, offer free building energy audits to municipalities, quasi-public agencies and public schools. Summer is a great time for schools and other public facilities to conduct free energy audits, which can uncover inexpensive, easy-to-implement energy-saving measures as well as opportunities for consumption reductions. Whatever your facility – and whatever your energy-saving goals – energy audits are a simple way to get an energy “checkup.” Request an audit by August 28 to prepare for the fall funding round.
To schedule an audit at your school or municipal buildings, fill out this
form. To get more information about the Efficient Buildings Fund program, please visit the
OER webpage.
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RIPTA buses receive solar panels to improve energy efficiency
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RIPTA buses are now receiving a little boost from sun!
Most riders won’t notice it from where they are standing, but RIPTA has installed solar panels on all 33 of its 2019 diesel fleet.
While the solar panels are not designed to make the buses go, they help power many of the vehicles’ auxiliary systems, such as ignition, GPS, automated stop announcements and lighting. This in turn reduces strain on the battery and can keep these systems live even when the engine is not running. Over the lifetime of the bus, the solar panels are expected to extend the life of the alternator, a vital engine component necessary for generating electricity. eNow Inc. supplied the 310-watt solar auxiliary panels and panel systems.
The pilot project was funded in part by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation which contributed a renewable energy grant of $42,800 that covered about two thirds of the cost. Read more about the project
here.
This is not RIPTA’s only foray into clean energy. In 2018,
it leased three electric buses for testing and plans to purchase several more starting in 2021.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
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Hosted by the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
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July 30
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Hosted by Environmental and
Energy Study Institute. OER will be presenting.
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August 11
8:00-11:00 a.m.
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Meeting to be held online. Check website for details.
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*Events are subject to change. Always check the event website for updated times, dates and location details before you attend.
Would you like to add your energy-related event to our calendar? Send the details and event URL to our editor at
robert.beadle@energy.ri.gov
.
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