Free energy audits available for R.I. public buildings

Gina M. Raimondo has vetoed a bill that would have automatically extended expired municipal employee and teacher contracts. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
Gina M. Raimondo has vetoed a bill that would have automatically extended expired municipal employee and teacher contracts. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the state’s Office of Energy Resources announced this week that they have begun a partnership with National Grid to provide free energy audits to municipalities, school districts and quasi-public state agencies.
“Understanding how we currently use energy is the first step to making smart investments in our state’s energy future,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a press release. “I encourage cities and towns to take advantage of these free energy audits, and to submit applications to the Efficient Buildings Fund. The Efficient Building Fund is putting people back to work rebuilding our infrastructure, helping cities and towns save money on energy bills and preserving our environment for the next generation of Rhode Islanders.”
The free energy audits will examine existing heating and lighting systems in public buildings and estimate cost savings achieved through an energy retrofit. To identify inefficiencies, National Grid’s contracted engineers will conduct facility tours, study past energy bills and usage, and consult with building occupants.
Audits will recommend specific strategies and investments that cities and towns can implement to reduce their energy usage.
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner said he encourages communities to apply for the free energy audit to determine how they can save money and reduce carbon emissions.
Twenty-eight municipalities and school departments already signed up for the audits, which are scheduled to begin next week. Requests to participate in the free energy-audit program must be submitted to Jerry Drummond of National Grid at jerry.drummond@nationalgrid.com by the close of business on Dec. 10.
Proposals for the RIIB’s Efficient Buildings Fund, a revolving loan program providing low-cost capital to public entities for energy-efficient projects, must include recent energy-audit findings.
Eligible projects for this financing include cost-effective energy- efficiency measures and installation of renewable infrastructure, including solar panels and wind turbines. Municipalities, school districts and quasi-public agencies are eligible to submit proposals for the EBF, the press release said.
The Office of Energy Resources is now accepting proposals for the EBF. Proposals are due Jan. 22; information can be found HERE.

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