| Sourced From |
Partnering with the University of Rhode Island Energy Center, Warwick and three other municipalities are working together to remove the energy equivalent of 534 cars annually.
The four communities have won a 3-year $497,492 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in municipal and residential buildings throughout the municipalities. The 2012 predicted savings between the four cities are 3,080 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and 1,913 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity use per year.
At an announcement at Thayer Arena yesterday, EPA Regional Administrator, Curt Spaulding expressed his hope that the energy initiatives will “target every aspect of the carbon footprint.” He looks forward to the EPA being an active participant in the efforts and assures that “money is only part of the support that we will show.”
Four hundred and fifty grant applications were received by the EPA, however only 25 nationwide grants were distributed. The Climate Showcase Communities project is one of two projects in New England to receive grants under the competitive program. Of the available funds, $7.8 million was made available to municipalities and $2.8 million for Native American tribes
Robert Cerio, Cooperative Extension Administrator at URI and former Energy Manager of Warwick wrote the grant application and said that it ranked sixth of all the applicants on a scale of merit.
The goal of the program is to assist local and tribal governments in creating models of sustainable community action that promote cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions. The models will be replicable in other communities and will improve environmental, health, social, and economic conditions.
At the announcement, Warwick Mayor, Scott Avedisian said his goals for the project are to help reduce pollution, save taxpayers money, and continue to move forward while working together with other government agencies, an effort that he feels is not shown enough.
The first step the four municipalities will take is to measure energy usage and performance in municipal buildings, water treatment facilities, and schools in order to develop energy management and conservation plans, guidelines, and policies.
The four communities will then organize training and outreach programs to inform municipal officials and residents that it is possible to make significant and lasting changes in businesses as well as homes.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is grateful for the grant because he knows it would be very difficult to make the important changes without it.
“At a time when budgets are so tight, it is hard to reap savings and benefits in the long run if the community can’t find the initial funds,” said Whitehouse.
When asked about what the communities intend to do next, Cerio explained that a pre-imposed electronic survey would be distributed to municipal employees first, followed by a sampling of residents. The survey would allow officials to determine how educated and informed Rhode Island residents are regarding environmental and energy efficiency issues.
Following these results, a portion of the grant money will be used to train employees in outreach strategies and media marketing so that can be viewed as mentors to residents.
“We want municipal employees to be informed so when residents call and ask what steps they can take to help, they will be given answers,” said Cerio.
“We are tremendously excited about this opportunity,” said Co-Director of URI’s Energy Center, Marion Gold, “There is a lot of work to do, but we have a great team working on the project.”
Charles Lombardi, Mayor of North Providence, William Sequino, Town Manager of East Greenwich, and Steve Alfred, Town Manager of South Kingstown were also present yesterday and all expressed collective excitement and optimism with the proposed plans.
“This time we will aim before we shoot,” said Lombardi, “when planning how we’re going to address our energy needs for the future.”
The Climate Showcase Communities grant is seen as an imperative step in the state’s mission to improve its energy situation. Rhode Island has some of the highest energy prices in the country due to the fact that almost all of its energy supply comes from imported fuels. Residents pay 28 percent more for energy than the nation does as a whole.
“Nationwide, EPA is working with communities on innovative, win-win strategies that reduce greenhouse gases and cut energy bills for families and businesses,” said Spaulding, “These Rhode Island communities are taking important actions on climate change, and they are showing real leadership. EPA is proud to be working with these cities to take steps to address climate change.”
Spalding also explained that improving energy use would not only help municipalities but also serve to strengthen the region’s economy.
Read more: Warwick Beacon – Grant to improve energy use reduce carbon footprint