Communities apply for state financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy upgrades

PROVIDENCE – Sixteen Rhode Island cities and towns have applied for state financing for energy efficiency or renewable energy upgrades, through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the agency announced on Thursday.
The amount requested by the 27 projects over-subscribes the $25 million fund more than twice over. In all, the projects submitted by communities total $60.2 million, according to a list on the Infrastructure Bank’s website.
Ranked in order of priority, Woonsocket tops the list with a $3.8 million request. The project is classified as an energy efficiency upgrade, but the specific details were not immediately clear.
Barrington’s request for $921,365 for another energy efficiency project was ranked second, while Central Falls came in third place with a proposal for renewable wind energy seeking $11.8 million.
The largest single proposal, submitted by West Warwick, is ranked fourth in priority of the 27 submissions. It seeks $17.8 million for a renewable wind energy project.
The state Office of Energy Resources reviewed and scored each of the 27 proposals that were submitted from cities or towns, school systems and quasi-public agencies for public buildings, according to a news release. The projects seek to reduce energy consumption, reduce costs and create jobs.
The criteria used for ranking included the potential to reduce energy use and save money, and projects that are “shovel-ready” and which would reduce energy use by at least 20 percent received preference, according to the release.
The ranked list, released Thursday, is in preparation for funding from the Infrastructure Bank’s newly created Efficient Buildings Fund.
In a statement, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said officials were thrilled to receive so many applications for the funds. “High energy costs have been holding Rhode Island back,” she said. “We created this program to change that.”

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