To date, Rhode Island has produced 138 MWs of energy and 14,000 jobs. What the Democratic governor is proposing would raise that to 1000 MWs and 20,000 new jobs in just under four years.
Rhode Island is the first state to have an operational offshore wind farm. The plan to reach the new goal is expected to include more of these, as well as land based wind farms, solar and hydropower.
During her State of the State address, Raimondo announced a similar strategic goal to double the number of Rhode Islanders working in green energy jobs by 2020. In 2015, nearly 10,000 Rhode Islanders worked in the green economy.
A news release on state government website quotes the governor saying, “Every step we take toward a clean energy future is a step toward a stronger, more sustainable environment and economy. Our commitment to expand our clean energy portfolio will help lower energy costs, create jobs and protect the beauty of our state for future generations."
However, an article on the Eco Rhode Island news site stresses this will not derail plans for the proposed Burrillville fossil fuel power plant. The plant, which opponents claim is unnecessary due to lack of demand for additional power, would be the largest emitter of carbon emissions in the state.
“I see it as unrelated,” Raimondo said.
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