State of Rhode Island

Background

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (RIOER) works to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in the State of Rhode Island. The Office offers programs to assist residents, businesses, cities and towns, and institutions with their energy needs. Because our small, densely settled state has few energy sources within its borders, the Office works to secure energy independence by increasing supply options to include renewable energy and decrease reliance on oil, gas, coal and nuclear energy produced outside of the state. In addition, the state is committed to the incorporation of energy efficiency across all government facilities.

RIOER is committed to reducing energy consumption in state facilities by 20% by 2020 based on a 2009 baseline. In partnership with the University of Rhode Island, RIOER will compile an initial inventory and baseline of approximately 18 million square feet using the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. RIOER will partner closely with the state’s electric and natural gas utility to provide highly skilled technical assistance and well‐coordinated business approaches to help state facilities managers prioritize and implement energy efficiency projects.