Renewable Energy Fund Awards Grants to 17 Local Alternative Energy Projects

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June 23, 2009 | Print this page | Share This |

Grants, totaling more than $680,000, will support municipal projects, feasibility studies and affordable housing projects

The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) announced that its Renewable Energy Fund (REF) has awarded a total of $681,875 in grants to 17 local projects that will stimulate job growth in the green technology and green energy sectors of Rhode Island’s economy. 

The grant awards, which were approved by the RIEDC’s board of directors at its June board meeting, support wind, solar PV, solar hot water and hydropower projects that will produce electricity in a more clean and sustainable manner. 

“I have set an aggressive goal to increase the use of renewable sources of energy to generate 20 percent of the state’s electricity needs,” said Governor Carcieri.  “The Renewable Energy Fund is a critical component of our plan as it supports programs that will fund alternative energy sources for our cities and towns.  The Town of Portsmouth, which erected the first municipal wind turbine, is already seeing the results with a nearly 60 percent reduction in town energy costs.  Supporting renewable energy projects throughout the State will also strengthen our position as a hub for the emerging industry, generating high-way green collar jobs.”

Created by legislative statute in 1996, the REF is dedicated to increasing the renewable energy supply in Rhode Island. The REF aims to make these investments in the “green sector” of the Rhode Island economy, attracting green businesses to Rhode Island, creating a green workforce and increasing the number of “green collar” jobs in the state.

“The Renewable Energy Fund is an important asset to ensure greater energy independence for our state and in building our capacity to create jobs in this sector,” said J. Michael Saul, interim executive director of the RIEDC. “The fund is an important resource that will assist businesses, municipalities and other entities in the state in reducing energy costs and increasing our economic competitiveness. Rhode Island stands to gain significant benefits from investing in renewable energy projects that will create long-term job growth opportunities in Rhode Island’s green technology and green energy industries.”

Municipalities, non-profit organizations and legal business entities (sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies) are eligible for REF funding, with the stipulation that the project directly benefits the state of Rhode Island. Applications can be submitted for any type of facility including manufacturing facilities, office buildings, multi-unit residential properties, retail operations, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, public buildings and farms that are looking to undertake renewable initiatives.

The REF designates approximately $1 million per year for municipal projects, capped at $500,000 per award. Affordable housing projects are eligible for up to $200,000 in funding, capped at $100,000 per award. Approximately $200,000 per year is designated for pre-consultant and technical feasibility studies.

The grants awarded today support 14 feasibility studies, one municipal project and two affordable housing projects.

Projects pursued by the 2009 grant awardees include:

•    Pre-development and analysis of a potential hydro power project on the Blackstone River (Valley Affordable Housing)

•    Feasibility of wind and other renewable energy opportunities for land and projects currently under development in Portsmouth and Newport (O’Neil Properties Group)

•    Second part of a two-part wind feasibility student for a potential 600kW turbine in North Smithfield (St. Antoine Residence)

•    Feasibility of constructing a wind turbine and/or installing solar PV to assist in providing renewable energy to a new affordable housing project in Portsmouth (Coastal Housing Corporation)

•    Feasibility study for installation of wind turbines on a 750-acre property in Exeter (SLA Realty)

•    A project to determine the feasibility of using the Arkwright Pond Dam for Hyrdopower (Arkwright Advanced Coating)

•    Design and engineering of a solar PV system installed on raised steel support structures in Providence. Part of the Trinity Church building restoration project (Trinity Restoration)

•    A project incorporating wind measurement equipment and monitoring in conjunction with a fire service project in North Smithfield (Town of North Smithfield)

•    Wind energy feasibility study for two proposed sites — the regional South Kingstown Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Facility (Town of Narragansett)

•    Two-phase renewable energy assessment for wind power in the city of Warwick (City of Warwick)

•    Feasibility of small hydro-electric facility within the village center of Harrisville (Town of Burriville)

•    Wind feasibility study for the design and installation of a 65kW machine at Hamilton Elementary School in North Kingstown (North Kingstown Public School)

•    Feasibility to determine suitability of constructing up to two 900kW wind turbines (City of Providence)

•    Group of cities and towns of the East Bay region to determine the feasibility of multiple sites within the East Bay that could make for good wind turbine locations; funded in conjunction with the Rhode Island Foundation (East Bay Energy Consortium)

•    Design and installation of a 12kw solar PV system on New Shoreham’s town hall (Town of New Shoreham)

•    Design and installation of a 50kw solar PV system to be included in the Westfield Commons redevelopment project (West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation)

•    Installation of a 100kw wind turbine and a solar hot water system to be included as part of the mixed-income, mixed-use community development, Sandywoods Farms in Tiverton (Church Community Housing)

For more information on the Renewable Energy Fund and 2009 Grant Awardees visit: www.riedc.com/business-services/renewable-energy/2009-REF-Grant-Awardees