PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) recognized 12 state government agencies, quasi-public agencies, municipalities, and state colleges and universities for their renewable energy and energy efficiency achievements at its Second Annual Lead By Example Energy Awards ceremony, held at the Rhode Island State House on Friday.
Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 15-17, directs state agencies to "Lead by Example" and transition energy supply and consumption practices to lower-cost, cleaner, low-carbon solutions. Among the Lead by Example directives, the Governor has tasked OER with overseeing and coordinating activities across government.
"Congratulations to all of this year's Lead by Example Energy Award nominees," said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. "I'm proud of the work we've done together to move Rhode Island toward a more secure, cost-effective and sustainable energy future."
The State's Lead 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 costs 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.
"In our second year hosting the Lead by Example Energy Awards, we continue to be surprised and delighted by the nominees' creativity and drive, using the latest in energy efficiency and clean energy technology to reduce their costs and lower their emissions," said State Energy Commissioner Carol Grant. "We hold all of our nominees up as shining examples for others in the public and private sector to follow."
Lead By Example Energy Award-Winners:
•Providence Water: The agency installed a rooftop solar array on its central operations facility, which is expected to offset about 60 percent of its annual electric consumption. It installed energy efficient LED lighting and lighting controls throughout its facility. Providence Water also purchased three zero-emissions Chevy Bolts and installed two electric vehicle charging stations on its property.
•Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs: The new Rhode Island Veterans Home, opened in 2017, used multiple energy efficiency strategies, including heating and cooling systems that are 20 percent more efficiency than code requirements and high-efficiency lighting and controls. The building features a rooftop solar array.
•Town of Coventry and Coventry Schools: Coventry upgraded eight municipal buildings to become more energy efficient including the town hall, annex, garages, library, police department and senior center. The town also upgraded the Coventry High School, middle school and five elementary schools with efficient lighting, kitchen equipment, plumbing and insulation.
•The University of Rhode Island: URI invested in energy efficiency improvements including exterior and interior LED lighting, insulation and HVAC systems. URI, South Kingstown and Narragansett have formed a partnership to share power from a new 9.3-megawatt ground-mounted solar array, which occupies a capped landfill.
The nominees that received honors:
•City of Central Falls
•City of Providence
•Town of Westerly
•Department of Administration
•Office of the Attorney General
•Narragansett Bay Commission
•Quonset Development Corporation
•Rhode Island College