Nicholas Ucci | Commissioner, R.I. Office of Energy Resources
[caption id="attachment_360048" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Nicholas Ucci
/ PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO[/caption]
1. How has the pandemic impacted or potentially hindered the state’s ability to reach outgoing Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s renewable energy goals? COVID-19 has not hindered our development of clean energy programs and pathways, including our goal of meeting 100% of our electricity demand with renewables by the end of the decade.
2. What do you see as the biggest, still untapped potential for renewable energy power in R.I.? To reach Raimondo’s 100% renewable electricity by 2030 goal, Rhode Island will need to rely on a mix of renewable energy technologies at varying scales – both distributed (e.g., rooftop solar) and utility scale (e.g., offshore wind).
3. How will the change to a presidential administration that is very supportive of offshore wind and green energy impact progress at the state level? Rhode Island is leading from the front: our renewable electricity portfolio has increased more than nine-fold since 2016; we are home to the first offshore wind farm in North America; and we have cost-effective energy efficiency programs to help Rhode Island homes and businesses reduce their energy consumption and utility bills. … [President Joe] Biden has made clean energy initiatives an important part of his platform and we look forward to working with the incoming administration to advance shared energy and environmental policy goals.
4. The state has started to offer more financial incentives for renewable energy projects in parking lots, landfills and other “atypical” locations that don’t require deforestation or loss of green space. How important are these types of projects to achieving 100% renewable energy? Consumer affordability and environmental sustainability are important when considering the viability of our long-term clean energy goals. In addition to protecting our environment, we must also consider the higher development costs often associated with renewable development at these locations.
5. Using renewable energy has become a key selling point for many major companies as proof of their environmental stewardship. Do you see this taking hold among R.I. businesses? There are many examples of Rhode Island companies embracing the benefits of clean energy. … These measures present unique value propositions by offering the potential to reduce and stabilize energy costs, insulate from energy market price volatility, and improve building and workplace comfort. They are also investments that put people to work right here in our communities.
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Lavin@PBN.com.
