Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 178

Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Solarize Rhode Island
Solarize Rhode Island is a program designed to encourage residential and commercial developments to install solar
photovoltaic (PV) systems. The program works using a tiered pricing structure which means that savings on solar PV
systems will increase as more people sign up for the program. Newport is a part of the Solarize Aquidneck program
which focuses solely on the three jurisdictions on Aquidneck Island.
Rhode Island Public Energy Partnership
The Rhode Island Public Energy Partnership (RIPEP) is a three year program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
that focuses on achieving energy savings in state and municipal facilities. Specifically, the program will work together
with state agencies, city governments, state universities, and utilities companies to create an inventory of public
energy consumption, implement measures for energy efficiency in various facilities, and to mitigate barriers to energy
efficiency in the public sector. Newport is currently assessing the feasibility of signing up for RIPEP.
Property Assessed Clean Energy Program
The Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) is a program
promoted by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
(RIOER). The PACE program gives homeowners opportunities to
overcome upfront costs on renewable energy and/or energy
efficiency upgrades to their homes. The improvements made on
homes can be repaid by a special assessment that is paid at the
same time as property taxes. Newport is currently enrolled in the
PACE program.

State promoted energy
initiatives like these are not
well known by the public and
thus are customarily
underutilized.

Local Energy Initiatives
The Newport Energy and Environment Commission
The Newport Energy and Environment Commission (NEEC) is a seven member
commission established by Resolution 2008-36. The Commission Members are
appointed by council and the positions are held in three year staggered terms. The
mission of the Commission is: “Advise the City Council and educate the Public on
energy efficiency and renewable energy and the environment to foster a more
sustainable community.”
The Commission promotes and encourages sustainable events in Newport through the
sustainable event destination program. NEEC provides a comprehensive checklist and
plan for many kinds of events (music festivals, conferences etc.) to be run in a sustainable manner.

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Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)