Rhode Island set to raise renewables mandate to 40%
Governor Gina Raimondo, a strong supporter of wind energy development, is expected to sign the bill, 2016-S 2185A/House 7413B into law.
“States with the best policies are going to attract the most business,” contends American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) chief executive Tom Kiernan.
According to the non-profit Wind Energy Foundation, growing wind power in Rhode Island could result in $240m in electricity bill savings by 2050 and up to $744m in savings through lower natural gas prices.
Rhode Island, the smallest state, has become a US leader in offshore wind development. Developer Deepwater Wind expects to have its pioneering five-turbine, 30MW Block Island project fully operational in state waters in the fourth quarter.
The country’s first offshore wind facility has positioned the Port of Providence as a potential hub for sector development among northeastern states along the Atlantic Ocean.
Rhode Island is also expected to benefit through access to solar and wind capacity build-out elsewhere through several regional high-voltage transmission projects in development.