Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beyond Cash Donations: How New Forms of Giving Are Transforming Not-for-Profit Accounting
Evolving Funding Landscape for Not-for-Profits Not-for-profit organizations are being asked to do more with less,…
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Contact: Jeff Broadhead, Executive Director
(401) 741-3091, office 284-1784, jb@wcrpc.org
Huge Solar Project Received Funding
Westerly RI — Renewable energy means local control, higher efficiencies, and predictable energy prices. It also reduces carbon emissions and protects local air quality. The Washington County Regional Planning Council (WCRPC) is a nonprofit organization representing the nine towns of Washington County, and has been promoting higher efficiencies in public buildings and locally owned renewable energy to reduce municipal energy costs.
Yesterday, Governor Carcieri awarded the WCRPC $750,000 from the State of Rhode Island’s portion of energy-related stimulus funds. These funds, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will be used to build a large solar electric facility in Westerly. RI’s Office of Energy Resources held a statewide competition for grant funds; this award to the WCRPC was one of only two of this size. A total of $3.3 million was awarded to some 45 recipients.
Chris Duhamel, a member of the Westerly Town Council and President of the WCRPC said, “This money will be used to assure a stable energy future for Westerly, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
The Westerly landfill is no longer used, and the solar project would cover 12 acres of the landfill’s area with solar photovoltaic panes, using a special ballasted design that does not require digging or ground penetration that might compromise the landfill’s cover. These Solar PV panels are intended to provide up to 2 mega watts (MW) of electricity, enough to power nearly 1,000 homes. But the energy won’t be sold to consumers; instead, it will be used to reduce the amount of energy the town purchases each year.
Jeff Broadhead, Executive Director of the WCRPC, noted, “This grant is only the beginning for the project; there is a lot of engineering and financing work to be done before any electricity is generated.” He was referring to the fact that this project will cost in the neighborhood of $12 million, and cannot be built before the formal feasibility studies are completed, engineering work is done, and the combined public/private financing is secured. Steve Hartford, Westerly’s Town Manger agreed, saying, “We don’t expect construction for nearly a year, even if all goes well. This project is part of a multi-town effort, and we won’t be seeking formal financing until more components are in place.”
Hartford was referring to the Washington County Energy Program, a combined initiative of ten towns and seven school systems to reduce their energy usage and generate local energy. The coalition, lead by the Washington County Regional Planning Council, has received over one million dollars of ARRA funding so far to support a Performance Contract, where energy savings in 146 public buildings across Washington County will be guaranteed under an agreement with an Energy Services Company.
Broadhead summarized the program this way, “We are doing all we can to reduce energy costs for the taxpayers of Washington County, using a mix of public and private funds to reduce costs, reduce electrical usage, and improve our buildings for both health (cleaner air) and efficiency.
Chris Duhamel, who was been on the WCRPC Board of Directors for eight years, added “Washington County is the leading coalition of towns and schools to save energy and save money for our members. We are fortunate to be able to work together so well, and to have the forum of the Washington County Regional Planning Council to do so. It is good for all our towns, and has saved us a lot of money over the years.”
