Rhode Island

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Rhode Island’s offshore wind potential is over 25.6 GW, according to data from NREL. In early November, 2016, Deepwater WInd’s 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm began operations in anticipation of running at full capacity by late November. This is the nation’s first offshore wind farm. It is comprised of five turbines mounted to the Gulf Coast-manufactured foundations. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have equal terms on a 400 square-mile Wind Energy Area (WEA). Deepwater Wind holds the commercial lease to develop the WEA and has proposed a project of up to 1200 MW—enough to power 350,000 homes. In 2010, the state received American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds of $22.3 million to redevelop the Quonset Business Park to accommodate the offshore wind industry.

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State Resources

Title Source/Sponsor Datesort descending
Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) Web-Based Map Viewer Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)
Rhode Island- Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
Northeast Ocean Data Portal Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC)
State Guide Plan Element 211, Economic Development Policies and Plan Rhode Island State Planning Council Nov 2 2001
State Guide Plan Element 781, Rhode Island Energy Plan 2002 Rhode Island State Planning Council Nov 2 2001
Resolution 29-3 Concerning Oceans Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) Aug 29 2005
Final Report: RIWINDS Phase I: Wind Energy Siting Study Rhode Island Economic Development Council (RIEDC) Apr 13 2007
Technical Assessment of Onshore and Offshore Wind Generation Potential in New England Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) May 1 2007
Rules and Regulations Governing the Implementation of a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Jul 25 2007
New England Electricity Scenario Analysis Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) Aug 2 2007
National Grid Renewable Energy Standard (RES)- Report and Order [Docket No. 3765] Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Oct 17 2007
Rhode Island Offshore Wind Stakeholders Final Report Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (RIOER) Feb 26 2008
National Grid Renewable Energy Standard (RES)- Report and Order [Docket No. 3901] Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Mar 7 2008
Ocean Planning Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC); University of Rhode Island (URI), Department of Ocean Engineering Mar 12 2008
Rhode Island Energy Independence I Project Rhode Island Department of Administration (DOA) Apr 4 2008
Joint Development Agreement Between the State of Rhode Island and Deepwater Rhode Island, LLC Governor Donald Carcieri; Deepwater Wind Jan 2 2009
National Grid Renewable Energy Standard (RES)- Report and Order [Docket No. 4012] Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Feb 25 2009
Policy Recommendations for Congressional and Executive Branch Leaders on Transmission and Offshore Wind Development Governors John Baldacci (ME); James Douglas (VT); John Lynch (NH); Deval Patrick (MA); Donald Carcieri (RI); David Paterson (NY); Jon Corzine (NJ); Jack Markell (DE); Martin O'Malley (MD); Timothy Kaine (VA) May 4 2009
Title 39 Public Utilities and Carriers Chapter 39-26.1 Long-Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy Section 39-26.1-8 Rhode Island Legislature Jun 26 2009
New England Governors' Renewable Energy Blueprint New England Governors' Conference (NEGC) Sep 15 2009
Technical Requirements for Wind Generation Interconnection and Integration Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) Nov 3 2009
Minerals Management Service (MMS) Rhode Island Task Force Meeting- Renewable Energy Uses of the Outer Continental Shelf US Minerals Management Service (MMS) Nov 17 2009
Minerals Management Service (MMS) Rhode Island Task Force Meeting Attendance List US Minerals Management Service (MMS) Nov 17 2009
Overview of Minerals Management Service (MMS) Leasing Process- MMS Rhode Island Task Force US Minerals Management Service (MMS) Nov 17 2009
Request for Interest (RFI) in Renewable Energy Leasing Offshore Rhode Island US Minerals Management Service (MMS) Nov 17 2009
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Between National Grid and Deepwater Wind Block Island, LLC [Docket No. 4111] National Grid; Deepwater Wind Dec 10 2009
Rules and Regulations Governing the Review of a Utility Scale Offshore Wind Project As Described in R.I.G.L. section 39-26.1-8 [Docket No. 4139] Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Jan 21 2010
A Roadmap for Advancing the Green Economy in Rhode Island Rhode Island Economic Development Council (RIEDC) Feb 9 2010
New England 2030 Power System Study/2009 Economic Study: Scenario Analysis of Renewable Resource Development- Report to the New England Governors New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) Feb 26 2010
Great Expectations: U.S. Wind Energy Development Governors' Wind Energy Coalition Mar 1 2010

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