How Green are We?

(page 3 of 11)

ENERGY

When it comes to energy consumption, Rhode Island rules: we havethe lowest per capita energy use in the nation. Unfortunately, hardly any of it is renewable. Our one wind turbine is but a faint breeze when compared to the trend gusting through the country (a 64 percent rise in wind power nationwide between 2005 and 2006). Governor Carcieri’s 2006 energy strategy, however, calls for 20 percent of our electricity to come from renewable sources within the next four years. Much of this will come from wind, found in abundance along our shores. There are also many dams and old mills that could support waterpowered generators. It will take some serious effort to overcome our dependence on fossil fuels. But it appears that greener energy is finally blowing our way.

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Light source

Our electricity comes from a pool of generators in New England and imports from adjacent areas. From July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, Rhode Island received electricity from turbines powered by ⇒

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20 

Proposed percentage of electricity in Rhode Island provided by
renewable energy sources by 2011, according to the state energy plan.

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Do Greeners

National Grid’s electricity customers can purchase renewable energy certificates that help fund alternative energy in the region.
Enrollment numbers are still low, but the percentage of Rhode Island
buyers is more than twice as large as neighboring Massachusetts.

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GreenUp Enrollment

STATE ENROLLED PERCENT
Rhode Island         4,515         .96%
Massachusetts      5,654         .04 %
New York             13,600         .08 %

Locally Made

The electricity generated in Rhode Island feeds into the New England grid. We contribute about 6 percent of the energy in the New England mix, generated by turbines powered by the following:
Natural Gas 96.8%
Other Renewables* 2.1%
Petroleum 1%
Hydroelectric .1%
* Wind, landfill gas
SOURCE: NATIONAL ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

LEEDing the Way

The governor’s bright idea: make every new state building an energy-efficient one. Last August, Governor Carcieri signed
an executive order requiring all new state building projects (and those undergoing significant renovation) to attain LEED
certification. This stamp of approval, created by the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design), is given to buildings that meet strict sustainable standards, drastically cutting the
amount of energy, water and toxic materials they use.

Currently, there are no LEED-certified buildings in Rhode Island, but at least nine are registered, the first step in the
process. Some are state-funded; others are nonprofits and private businesses. Two of the projects: the new state police
headquarters in Cranston and the South Providence Development Corporation. The former, a 143,500-square-foot
building, will feature energy-efficient heating, lighting and insulation. Its construction will also incorporate recycled
materials, and the grounds will be landscaped using drought-resistant shrubs. The latter, a renovated 25,734-squarefoot industrial space, has a roof covered in plants, naturally bringing the building’s temperature down and reducing carbon
dioxide in the air.

Together the nine projects represent more than 775,000 square feet of earthfriendly real estate.