RI Army Guard installs solar array, meet the new PUC Chair, new EV charging stations and more

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RI Army National Guard installs largest rooftop solar array on state facility

The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) completed the interconnection of its rooftop solar facility on the 56 Troop Command Armory Building at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich. The $335,000 project is expected to generate $45,700 in annual energy savings. The 207kW solar facility is the largest rooftop solar array on a state facility in Rhode Island and is the ninth solar project contributing towards the state’s Lead by Example Initiative.

As one of the most critical facilities for the RIARNG, the armory houses several units that respond to natural disasters, pandemics, state of emergencies, and other critical events. With the building’s brand new, flat roof and location free from shade, the armory was the perfect location for the RIARNG’s first solar project.

Read the full article here.

Meet the new Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, Ron Gerwatowski

Governor Gina Raimondo appointed Ron Gerwatowski Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission in June 2020. Chairman Gerwatowski has worked in the utility and energy industry for over thirty years. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Senior Regulatory Advisor to the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. For the past four years, he has been a guest lecturer and instructor in the Energy Fellows Program at the University of Rhode Island.

We asked Chairman Gerwatowski about the PUC and his vision for the next year and beyond.

Q. For our readers who are not energy experts, can you describe what the PUC does and what your role is there?

The Public Utilities Commission is a “quasi-judicial” agency. The utilities we regulate have statutory requirements to obtain approvals from the Commission, such as rate increases, procurement contracts, energy efficiency programs, and other matters. It is the role of the Commission to consider the proposals and issue orders approving or denying the requests based on an evidentiary record, much like a court. When rate changes are proposed, it is the role of the Commission to assure that the rates are just and reasonable, and that the utilities have the resources and are conducting their business in a way that assures safe and reliable service. We also have an important role to assure that the proposals being made by the utilities are consistent with the law and policies adopted by the General Assembly. Because the statutes do not always specify what is permissible and not permissible, the Commission also can fill regulatory gaps and issue directives designed to assure that the actions taken by utilities are in the public interest.

To read the rest of the interview, click here.

RIDOT & OER kick off electric vehicle charging station pilot at Park and Ride Lots in Warwick and Hopkinton

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is providing free access to electric vehicle chargers at two of its Park & Ride commuter lots as part of a pilot program to encourage and support the use of electric vehicles on Rhode Island roadways. The program is being run in conjunction with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and National Grid.

The chargers will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will be free until the end of this year. RIDOT and OER will evaluate usage patterns throughout the pilot to help make decisions on deploying more charging stations.

OER to hold public meetings to broaden access to community solar in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources invites you to a public meeting on Broadening Access to Community Solar in Rhode Island. Share your views and learn more about Rhode Island's proposed Community Solar Program expansion. This meeting will be held on three occasions. Select the one that is most convenient for you:

September 30, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

October 1, 2020, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

October 2, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For more information on the proposed program changes, see https://risolarmarketplace.com in the coming days for details on the plan. For assistance with registration, contact Jackie Olivieri at Jacklyn.Olivieri@energy.ri.gov.

OER announces funding for "non-wires" energy solutions

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources has just launched a program to help support the adoption of clean energy-based non-wires solutions for Municipal-Centric Utilities in Rhode Island – Pascoag Utility District and Block Island Utility District. These funds are being made available through the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Non-wires solutions use clean energy technologies to address electric grid needs and highlight the innovation and creativity our Municipal-Centric Utilities employ to best serve their customers. Clean energy technologies can include, but are not limited to: solar photovoltaics (PV), other types of renewable energy systems, energy efficiency and conservation, demand response, and energy storage. Non-wires solutions can help the grid deliver electricity to homes and businesses when electricity demand is highest, sometimes at a lower cost than upgrading wires, transformers, and substations, the technique traditionally used to increase grid capacity. Non-wires solutions can also provide clean renewable energy, which may reduce net greenhouse gas emissions.

Eligible entities are the municipal utilities located in Rhode Island – Pascoag Utility District and Block Island Utility District. These entities may qualify for total grant awards of up to $250,000 per project application, reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and contingent on availability of funding.

National Drive Electric Week online events

Have you been thinking about upgrading to an electric car or plug-in hybrid, but have some questions?

Learn more about electric vehicles and talk to EV ambassadors about their experiences.

Electric Vehicles 101

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 12pm – 1pm

Ask an EV Owner

When: Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 12pm – 1pm

Electrifying Transport in RI

When: Thursday, Oct 1. from 1:30pm – 2:30pm

These webinars are part of National Drive Electric Week, a week-long celebration of electric cars. Visit greenenergyconsumers.org/events to view other online events.

This event is hosted by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance in partnership with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Ocean State Clean Cities, National Grid and the Department of Environmental Management.