Governor Carcieri today announced that the Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment has created an Energy Review Team to develop a statewide energy plan for the investment of funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and to develop a statewide, competitive grant process to distribute funds for energy programs. The co-chairs for the Energy Review Team are Andy Dzykewicz, Commissioner of the RI Office of Energy Resources, and Jeffrey Seamann, Dean of the College of Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island and co-chair of the RI Science and Technology Council.
Under ARRA, Rhode Island will receive $58 million in funds dedicated to a number of energy initiatives, including $20 million for weatherization programs, $14.5 million for state and municipal programs, and $24 million for other energy activities.
“A main goal of the Recovery Act is support energy programs that create and retain jobs, realize energy savings for families, businesses, government and educational institutions, reduce our dependency on foreign energy sources, and achieve environmental benefits,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “Rhode Island has set an aggressive goal of 20 percent of the state’s energy use be renewable sources and is well poised to develop this nation’s first off shore wind project. These funds will help bring about clean, green power that is not subject to variations in fuel prices, and will bolster a new green economy and create green jobs for Rhode Islanders.”
The Energy Review Team will hold its first meeting on Monday, May 4, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the Rhode Island Department of Health Auditorium, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI. The public is invited to attend. The Energy Review Team will provide a summary of federal expectations and performance metrics with regard to the use of ARRA funding and give an overview of the state plan as it is developed. The meeting will provide communities and interested parties an opportunity to share thoughts and recommendations about local needs. The Energy Review Team must provide a comprehensive plan to the Federal Department of Energy by May 12th.
Based on federal guidelines, grants will focus on:
- Loans, grants and incentives particularly for energy efficiency retrofits and installing renewable energy measures with a focus on:
- Renewable energy projects including but not limited to:
- Offshore Wind
- Geothermal and solar hot water projects for public and non-profit buildings and facilities
- Training and demonstration of renewable technologies.
- Renewable energy projects including but not limited to:
- Building Retrofits focusing on the following areas:
- Energy Efficiency Performance Contracting, providing assistance for technical support such as preparation of Requests for Proposals and Third Party Measurement and Verification for building and facility owners to work with Energy Service Companies on energy efficiency retrofits and conservation projects.
- Grants, loans and incentives for fuel neutral energy efficiency retrofits that to reach the 42 percent of the state that uses heating oil and is not served by existing programs.
- Establishing revolving loan funds for energy efficiency retrofits, particularly for sectors not reached by other programs including low, moderate income residents that do not qualify for low income heating assistance.
- Voluntary programs that impact new design including carbon neutral mixed use development projects.
- Outreach and education projects including use of smart metering, web pages and other computer applications to extend the reach of efforts to actively engage residents and businesses in efficiency and conservation efforts.
- Establishment and enforcement of energy efficiency building codes and standards, which are underway with the collaboration of the General Assembly and the State Building Code Office.