$120,000 Awarded for Renewable Energy
Investments
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with
the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the Rhode Island Resource
Conservation & Development Area Council, announced $120,000 in grants
to help farmers "green" their operations and save energy and money. The awards, funded through the Rhode Island Farm Energy Program (RIFEP), will support solar projects at six local farms across the state.
"These
grants are a win for Rhode Island farmers and for our state," said
Governor Gina Raimondo. "Our commitment to expanding clean energy on farms
and throughout Rhode Island will help lower energy costs, create jobs and
protect the beauty of our state for future generations."
Funded
projects include:
Bedrock Tree Farm, Wakefield - $20,000 Installation of a 25.6 kW solar photovoltaic system that will offset power used by the agricultural operation.
Carpenter's
Farm, Wakefield - $20,000 Installation of a 32.4 kW solar photovoltaic system
that will power 100% of this multi-faceted agricultural operation.
Cottrell
Homestead, West Kingston - $20,000 Installation of a 25.2 kW solar photovoltaic
system that will provide significant savings for the farm's dairy operation.
Little
Grange Farm, Little Compton - $20,000 Installation of a 19.8 kW roof-mount
solar photovoltaic system that will offset power used by the dairy operation.
Pat's
Pastured, East Greenwich - $20,000 Installation of a 9.28 kW solar photovoltaic
system that will offset power used by the livestock operation.
Stoney
Acres Farm, Wakefield - $20,000 Installation of a 7.2 kW solar photovoltaic
system that will offset power used by agricultural operations.
"Kudos
to our grant recipients and to all partners involved in this effort," said
DEM Director Janet Coit. "Rhode Island is charting a bold course in clean
energy, which is exciting and vital. We must continue to invest in our green
economy for the benefit of our state, our environment, and our families."
"Rhode
Island is making progress on Governor Raimondo's 1,000 megawatt clean energy
goal in all corners of our state," said State Energy Commissioner Carol
Grant.
"We continue to find new partners – big and small – who are passionate about working with us to build a clean, reliable, affordable energy future. Today's grant recipients are included in that partnership, and we are excited they will be able to reap the benefits of this renewable energy investment."
"We continue to find new partners – big and small – who are passionate about working with us to build a clean, reliable, affordable energy future. Today's grant recipients are included in that partnership, and we are excited they will be able to reap the benefits of this renewable energy investment."
DEM
continues to work across many fronts to strengthen Rhode Island's green economy
and assist local farmers in growing their businesses.
Rhode Island is one of few states nationally where the number of farms is on the rise.
There are more than 1,200 sprinkled across the state, a 44 percent increase since 2002. The state's green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy each year.
Rhode Island is one of few states nationally where the number of farms is on the rise.
There are more than 1,200 sprinkled across the state, a 44 percent increase since 2002. The state's green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy each year.
Last
spring, $89,755 was awarded under the RIFEP's second grant round; the awards
supported renewable energy and energy efficiency projects at Barden Family
Orchard in North Scituate, Earth Care Farm in Charlestown, Gradin Landscapes
and Supply in South Kingstown, Planeview Farm in West Kingston, Seven Cedars
Farm in Smithfield, and The Good Earth Organic Gardening Center in Hope.
Funding
for RIFEP is made possible through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
For
more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow
DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM
for timely updates.
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