PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Today, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) recognized 25 state government agencies, quasi-public agencies, municipalities, and state colleges and universities for their renewable energy and energy efficiency achievements at its Third Annual Lead By Example Clean Energy Awards ceremony, held at the Rhode Island State House.
Governor Gina M. Raimondo's Executive Order 15-17 directs state agencies to "Lead by Example" and transition energy supply and consumption practices to lower-cost, cleaner, low-carbon solutions. Among the Lead by Example directives, the Governor has tasked OER with overseeing and coordinating activities across government.
"Each of our nominees deserve praise for setting a shining example for others to follow," said Governor Raimondo. "These clean energy projects show what we can accomplish when we work together to lower carbon emissions and create a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future."
"In our third year hosting the Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards, we are amazed by the sheer volume of clean energy projects taking place in our state," said State Energy Commissioner Carol Grant. "In particular, public schools made an impressive showing at this year's awards with several outstanding energy efficiency projects that reduce energy costs and help make for a more comfortable learning environment for our children."
The Lead by Example program promotes the adoption of clean energy measures across public sector facilities throughout Rhode Island. State and municipal employees are helping to reduce energy costs and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting the local clean energy economy. This work often goes unheralded, but is a critical tool in addressing carbon footprints across government.
Lead By Example Energy Award-Winners:
Category: Municipality – City of Pawtucket
Pawtucket invested $4.5 million to update heating and lighting equipment in multiple city buildings. The city installed LED streetlights, energy management systems, replaced boilers, and implemented many energy efficiency measures in its municipal buildings. These improvements are expected to improve building comfort and save $300,000 annually.
Category: Public School – Warwick Public Schools
Warwick Schools implemented energy saving measures throughout ten schools in 2018, including LED lighting improvements, mechanical systems, energy efficient motors and variable speed drive installations and energy management system upgrades. The schools will save about $215,000 each year.
Category: State Agency – Rhode Island Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation has worked continuously to convert 7,700 RI-owned highway streetlights to LED, making DOT a national leader in this endeavor. Wireless controls allow operators to monitor and control the streetlights remotely. The new streetlights improve driving conditions and slash lighting energy consumption by half. DOT also installed three electric charging stations and a new state-of-the-art building automation system.
Category: Quasi-Public Agency – Rhode Island Convention Center
The RI Convention Center installed a high-efficiency chiller, three cooling towers, condensing boilers, variable frequency drives, refrigeration controls and converted its neon signs to LED. The Center improved its overall heating and cooling operation, saving up to 25 percent on its energy bills.
Category: Higher Education – Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College implemented energy efficiency and infrastructure improvements across 33 campus buildings, totaling $13 million. The college has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy by installing a 110-kW solar system on the rooftop of the Donovan Dining Center and the Student Union.
The nominees that received honors:
Municipalities: City of East Providence, City of Providence, City of Woonsocket, Town of Burrillville, Town of North Kingstown, Town of North Providence, Town of Smithfield, Town of Warren.
Public Schools: Burrillville School Department, East Providence School District, Middletown Public Schools, Narragansett School System, North Smithfield School Department, West Warwick Public Schools.
State Agencies: Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Rhode Island State Police.
Quasi-Public Agencies: Quonset Development Corporation, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.
Higher Education: University of Rhode Island.
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