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ARRA will provide funding for more than 100 different programs over the life of the Act. Rhode Island state government is responsible for implementing only a portion of these programs. The balance of the funding is available to entities such as cities and towns, non-profits, or other entities. On this page, we will provide information on those programs for which Rhode Island State government is responsible.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Rhode Island will receive approximately $58 million in funds dedicated to a number of energy initiatives including:
The Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment created an Energy Review Team to develop a statewide energy plan for the investment of funds available through ARRA and a statewide competitive grant process to distribute ARRA energy program funds.
Energy Review Team Members include:
* In compliance of Separation of Powers representatives of legislative branch are non-voting members of Energy Review Team.
The Energy Review Team in partnership with the Office of Energy Resources developed the State Energy Plan.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices for the State Energy Program (SEP). States use the grant to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The goals of the SEP are to:
How much funding will Rhode Island receive for the ARRA SEP?
The State of Rhode Island, Office of Energy Resources is eligible to receive $23,960,000 in SEP ARRA funds.
How can SEP funds be used?
The Office of Energy Resources must provide an energy conservation plan to the Department of Energy that describes the proposed uses of SEP Recovery Act funds. The state’s energy plan must include programs, projects and measures designed to:
What steps has Rhode Island taken and what is the status of Rhode Island’s SEP application?
Click here to view Rhode Island's State Energy Program Application
For more information on the State Energy Program, contact:
Janet Keller
RI Office of Energy Resources
401-574-9126
jkeller@energy.ri.gov
The purpose of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety.
The priority population for the Weatherization Assistance Program is persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with high-energy burden.
How much funding will Rhode Island receive for the Weatherization Assistance Program?
The State of Rhode Island, Office of Energy Resources is eligible to receive $20,073,615 in Weatherization Assistance Program funds.
How will WAP funds be used?
The Office of Energy Resources contracts with a network of local weatherization providers who deliver weatherization services to eligible Rhode Island residents.
Weatherization providers conduct computerized energy audits using diagnostic equipment, such as a blower door, manometer, or infrared camera, to determine the most cost-effective weatherization improvements for each dwelling.
Improvements can include:
Funds can also be used to address energy related health and safety problems or to perform incidental repairs.
What steps has Rhode Island taken and what is the status of Rhode Island’s Weatherization Assistance application?
Click here to view Rhode Island’s Weatherization Assistance Program application
For more information on the State Weatherization Assistance Program, contact:
Julie Capobianco
Office of Energy Resources
401-574-9111
juliec@energy.ri.gov
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program provides grants to states, units of local government and Indian tribes to assist in creating and implementing strategies to:
Who is eligible to apply for EECBG funds?
EECBG funds will flow to both large and small cities and towns across the state as well as the Narragansett Indian Tribe. The ten largest cities and towns must apply directly to the Department of Energy for EECBG funds, as tabulated below.
| City | Amount |
|---|---|
| Coventry | $134,000 |
| Cranston | $61,600 |
| Cumberland | $138,100 |
| East Providence | $207,400 |
| North Providence | $131,900 |
| Pawtucket | $660,500 |
| Providence | $1,759,300 |
| Warwick | $835,200 |
| West Warwick | $118,400 |
| Woonsocket | $181,400 |
The State of Rhode Island is eligible to receive $9,593,500 in EECBG funds and must use at least 60% of the funds ($5,756,100) to fund small cities and towns not receiving direct grants from the Department of Energy.
The Narragansett Indian Tribe also is eligible to apply for $77,900 in EECBG funds.
How can EECBG funds be used?
The Department of Energy encourages applicants to develop a strategy that will result in maximum energy efficiency improvements, fossil fuel emissions reductions, economic benefits and total energy use reduction. EECBG funds can be used for the following activities:
Meeting notes from the June 11, 2009 Public meeting – Overview of EECBG conceptual framework and grant process.
Click here to view Rhode Island’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program application
For more information about the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, contact:
Janet Keller
RI Office of Energy Resources
401-574-9126
jkeller@energy.ri.gov