PROVIDENCE – The state has conditionally awarded $3.3 million in federal stimulus money to individuals, businesses and local governments for 45 non-utility-scale renewable energy projects, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri announced Friday.
The projects include solar, wind, geothermal and hydro installations. The full list of recipients has been posted on RI.gov.
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Community and institutional organizations were awarded $1.7 million in grants. Commercial and industrial applicants received $747,224 and residents got $310,744.
In addition, the state provided a $500,000 award to Toray Plastics in North Kingstown to construct a solar array.
The state said the awards were granted on the condition that applicants secure the appropriate permits and projects do not conflict with historic preservation requirements.
Major projects funded include $750,000 to the Narragansett Bay Commission to erect three wind turbines at Fields Point in Providence; $750,000 to the Washington County Regional Planning Council to install a two-megawatt ground-based photovoltaic array in Westerly; and $239,500 to Trinity Restoration Inc. to install a Solar Wing Canopy on the south side of Providence as part of a planned charter school.
“The level and quality of proposals exceeded expectations, and I am heartened that in these difficult times Rhode Islanders thought creatively and sought to pursue green energy opportunities,” Carcieri said. “These projects will result in good jobs and allow our residents and businesses to make long-term investments that will reduce energy costs and save money.”
Rhode Island residents were eligible to apply for a maximum grant of $10,000 to pay for up to a quarter of the cost of a project. Businesses could apply for up to $500,000, and municipalities and institutions that serve or house 1,000 or more people could apply for a maximum of $750,000.
The R.I. Office of Energy Resources has accepted applications for a second round of funding for additional projects, totaling an additional $5 million. A third round of money may be available upon completion of the second round of funding, the governor’s office said.
Additional information is available at recovery.ri.gov and energy.ri.gov.
