WALTHAM, Mass. – National Grid named John J. Donleavy executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s U.S. operations, which include more than 3 million electric and 3 million natural gas customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service of Rhode Island is currently accepting preproposals for applications for conservation-innovation grants, which are designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, the USDA announced Thursday. more

First Wind, in an acquisition of Victus Solar developments in three Massachusetts towns, now holds the rights to just over 26 megawatts in solar-electric projects, reported the Boston Business Journal. more

Trips to Misquamicut Beach in Westerly have been annual rites of summer for Michael Ziegler, district sales manager at Collette Vacations, since he was a child. more

Rhode Island is slated to receive nearly $4.5 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior to help repair historic properties and clean up wildlife refuges damaged by Hurricane Sandy, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced Tuesday. more

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a “five-year review” for 16 New England Superfund Sites, including two in Rhode Island – the Central Landfill in Johnston and Picillo Farm in Coventry. more

Fulflex Inc., which is owned by The Moore Co., a Providence-based elastics and plastics company, will pay almost $200,000 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Clean Air Act violations at its Brattleboro, Vt.-based facility. more

The former Walton & Lonsbury Inc. facility in Attleboro has been added to the National Properties List of Superfund sites by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. more