solar – RI Future

July 21, 2015

Office of Energy Resources proposes $14 million for clean energy investments

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The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources has announced a plan to invest in clean energy, as well as reduce energy costs, by distributing $14 million in proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auctions.

Commissioner Marion Gold, courtesy of www.energy.ri.gov

RGGI, which was launched in 2009, allowed participating states to establish a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fueled electric generating facilities. The power plants in these areas must possess a tradable carbon dioxide allowance for each ton that they emit, and these allowances are distributed through quarterly auctions.

“Rhode Island’s participation in RGGI is a vital component of the state’s energy and environmental policy framework. This plan will not only advance important energy goals, but it will also contribute to local economic growth by investing in carbon-free energy resources, including energy efficiency and renewable generation,” State Energy Commissioner Marion Gold said.

The $14 million will support a number of clean energy programs. Three million will support the capitalization of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, and another $3.6 million will go towards supporting energy efficiency measures for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. Two million more will support the installation of LED streetlights throughout the state, as well as support clean energy investments in state and municipal buildings. Another $300,000 will go toward funding residential rooftop solar panels.

LED streetlights will also be installed all along Rhode Island’s highways, not just within towns and cities. $2.8 million will be allocated towards that venture. Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said that energy efficiency is a top priority.

“The conversion to LED streetlights not only has the potential of reducing statewide energy costs by approximately one million dollars per year, but it also demonstrates the financial benefits of good environmental stewardship,” he said.

The Office of Energy Resources also stated that the plan will support job growth along with enhancing sustainability.

“This is a smart plan that will grow jobs, reduce energy costs, and help protect our environment,” Governor Gina Raimondo said. “By investing in innovative clean energy initiatives like the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, Solarize Rhode Island, and energy efficiency programs, Rhode Island can help lead the nation towards a more sustainable energy future while also growing our economy.”

The financial impact is only one part, though. These investments also have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will improve air quality throughout Rhode Island

“Each kilowatt-hour of energy saved or generated by a renewable energy source means one less kilowatt-hour generated from fossil fuel-fired sources,” said Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit. “Programs like these may start small, but the represent important steps forward toward achieving our greenhouse gas reduction goals and transitioning to a clean energy future.”

The Office of Energy Resources is currently taking public comment on the plan, and can be reached by emailing Barbara.Cesaro@energy.ri.gov, or by mailing One Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island, 02908. There will be a public hearing on the proposal on July 29 at 10 am in Conference Room B on the second floor of One Capitol Hill.

July 10, 2015

Elorza launches green initiative for Providence

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Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza has taken a step towards a more environmentally friendly city with his new SustainPVD Environmental Program. The goal of the program is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change within the city by increasing recycling, expanding composting, and making municipal buildings more energy efficient. Residents can participate as well, by obtaining a home energy assessment at no cost through National Grid’s EnergyWise program, and by finding low to no-cost energy saving opportunities by joining Find Your Four. Residents can register here or here.

Residents are also encouraged to explore solar alternatives. To get a free solar energy assessment, sign up by July 31 by contacting the West Broadway Neighborhood Association at 401-831-9344, or WBNA@WBNA.org.

“Climate change poses significant challenges to Providence in terms of its effect on our waterfront, the impacts of extreme heat, and especially on vulnerable populations,” Mayor Elorza said of the program.

In order to help promote the initiative, Elorza received an energy audit from National Grid in his own home on Tuesday-his first after living there for ten years.

“Through my home energy and solar assessments, I learned how I can make a difference and even save money along the way. I encourage all residents to do the same and help Providence become a greener, healthier, more livable city.”

Providence ranks 32^nd in the 51 largest cities in the country for energy efficiency, according to a report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The report factored in government operations, community-wide efforts, buildings policies, utilities, and transportation.

February 20, 2014

Rhode Island is not yet the solar power state

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The number of jobs in the bustling solar power industry grew by 62 percent last year in Rhode Island – an increase of 130 jobs from 2012. But as Progressive Charlestown points out, we’re still lagging far behind every other state in the northeast in this regard and we were one of the worst state’s in the nation when it comes to adding jobs in the solar power sector of the economy.

Rhode Island ranked 45th in the nation for new jobs in the solar industry, according to a new report by the Solar Foundation. Only Alaska, Wyoming, Mississippi, Nebraska and North and South Dakota ranked worse than Rhode Island.

And Rhode Island did even worse when compared to our Northeast neighbors (though per capita, we ranked higher than both New York and Connecticut).

Why our other northeastern states doing so much better at growing the solar sector of their economies? Here’s what Abel Collins, program director for the local chapter of the Sierra Club, wrote on this blog last week:

Rhode Island solar installers have been forced to look for work in Connecticut and Massachusetts where strong renewable incentive programs have stayed in place. For the sake of the environment and our struggling economy, it’s time to rectify this situation. The good news is that there are already a couple of new programs in place that should help, and there a couple of renewable energy legislative initiatives that could become law this session.

Click here to read about some of the new programs Rhode Island has in place and some of the new legislation that could help even further.

And earlier this week the Providence Journal reported that a Colorado-based company won approval to locate a new solar farm at the Quonset business park. So maybe the solar industry outlook is looking brighter for Rhode Island.

January 17, 2013January 17, 2013

North Providence Is Energized By Solar Project

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solarnp — Mayor Charles Lombardi, left, discusses the merits of the solar landfill project with Town Council President Kristen Catanzaro, center, and member Alice Brady. (Tim Faulkner/ecoRI News)

NORTH PROVIDENCE — Local solar energy got a boost Tuesday night from the Town Council.

At the urging of Mayor Charles Lombardi, the council voted unanimously to move ahead with a plan to consider dropping property taxes for the development of a solar array at the town’s old landfill.

Lombardi has implored the council for several months to move forward with the project, to take advantage of a state renewable energy incentive program — a program that would deliver reliable revenue to the town. Six solar developers responded to an initial inquiry to develop a 3-megawatt array on the 15-acres site.

Lombardi said the town would receive an annual fee from the owner of the solar array in lieu of taxes. Other proposed uses for the site, he said, such as a playground and wind turbines weren’t viable due to noise and gas leaking from the former Superfund site.

“We’re trying to get additional revenue from a barren piece of property,” the mayor said.

A solar project, Lombardi added, would allow the town to participate in Rhode Island’s popular distributed generation program. The four-year trial program is designed to boost local renewable energy projects by offering incentives such as fixed pricing for electricity generated from wind, solar and hydroelectric projects.

Two residents spoke at the Jan. 8 meeting. Joseph Muschiano was skeptical of a project that had yet to receive a formal bid from a developer. “You’re just asking us to throw away 20 years of taxes and letting this guy come in,” he said.

James Grande liked that the project was quiet, unlike the dirt bikes and four-wheelers that frequent the area. “You want something that’s not going to create any noise versus creating noise,” he said.

Of the six initial proposals, the town has taken an interest in a submission from Belmont, Calif.-based SunEdison. All of the developers sought tax relief before moving forward with the project, Lomabrdi said. The Town Council must approve the tax deal. Tuesday’s vote by the council requests the town’s ordinance committee to move forward with the mayor’s request to grant the tax break.

Richard Fossa, Lombardi’s chief of staff, said the land isn’t suited for businesses or recreation. “You are not going to get any restaurant or people on the grass. Nobody wants to go there,” Fossa said.

Lombardi noted that the site currently has no access to public water, sewage or electricity.

The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) classified the site as suitable for a solar project, according to Fossa. If built, the town would be responsible for cutting the grass at the site and monitoring environmental conditions at the former landfill. The owner of the project would pay the cost of building a fence around the site. DEM allows new construction to disturb 30 inches of the landfill topsoil, or cap. But Fossa said the solar project wouldn’t require digging and instead be secured by weights.

Chris Kearns of the state Office of Energy Resources presented an overview of the state’s distributed generation contract law, which the General Assembly passed in 2011. The program reserves an allotment of generated electricity each year to be used for renewable projects. The electricity is typically more expensive than standard fossil-fuel-based power. The cost for the green energy is subsidized by National Grid ratepayers.

Renewable energy, Kearns said, is needed to diversify Rhode Island’s power generation supply. Currently, about 98 percent of the state’s electricity is produced by natural gas. The proposed project also would help the state reach its goal of 16 percent renewable power generation by 2019.

So far, 15 solar projects and one wind turbine have been approved under the distributed generation program. Of the municipally backed projects, East Providence received a contract for a 3.7-megawatt solar landfill project. Westerly is considering a similar solar array on town land. Kearns said Bristol and Glocester are seeking permits for large solar energy systems.

The 70-acre site in North Providence was an active regional landfill from 1967-83. It was declared a Superfund site in 1989 and capped in 2007.

“I think this the best idea for the neighborhood,” Council member Stephen Feola said. “This isn’t going to generate any traffic. It’s a win-win. It’s a no-brainer.”

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News

ecoRI News is a Providence-based nonprofit journalistic initiative devoted to educating readers about the causes, consequences and solutions to local environmental issues and problems.