Rhode Island’s Clean Energy Internship Program connects college students interested in clean energy careers with Rhode Island employers seeking emerging talent. Managed by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the Renewable Energy Fund, the program offers paid 12-week internships that give students hands-on professional experience while helping employers build Rhode Island’s clean energy workforce. Since launching in 2019, the program has connected more than 200 students with approximately 40 participating clean energy employers. Learn more about the Clean Energy Internship Program and opportunities for students and employers: refinternships.commerceri.co…

ChargeRI provides rebates for the purchase and installation of Energy Star-certified Level 2 and DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations at multi-unit dwellings, publicly accessible commercial sites, municipalities and workplaces. Expanding EV charging infrastructure statewide is a critical step in advancing electric vehicle adoption, reducing transportation emissions and supporting Act on Climate. Here are the latest developments since the ChargeRI program launched in June 2026: For full program details and the latest data, visit: drive.ri.gov/statistics/char…

The Office of Energy Resources (OER) today launched the $32 million Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Program. The U.S. Department of Energy approved the launch of the program, which will support heat pump installations in income‑eligible multifamily housing. The new heat pump program builds upon OER's active Clean Heat RI and New England Heat Pump Accelerator Mid-Stream Incentive Programs, which are supporting household heat pump installations across the State, reducing thermal emissions, advancing our Act on Climate objectives, and supporting an important sector in the State’s clean energy economy. OER has over $90 million in ongoing program investments supporting the State’s household electrification and heat pump installations in the coming years. Rhode Island is the first New England state to launch the HOMES Program, and the first state in New England to have both the federal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program and HOMES Rebate Program active. Learn more at: energy.ri.gov/incentives/hom…

Brighter Classrooms, Lower Energy Bills: Rhode Island’s Public School Energy Equity Program Over the last few years, the Office of Energy Resources has been improving public schools through its Public School Energy Equity Program. This initiative upgrades outdated lighting and heating systems, helping schools use less energy and creating long-term savings for school operations. To date, 54 schools across nine districts and three public charter schools have received improvements, with over $19 million invested and 27,000 students benefiting. The program has supported schools in Providence, Woonsocket, West Warwick, Pawtucket and Central Falls. It continues to expand, with more projects in progress to deliver brighter classrooms and lower school energy bills over the long term.

The OER Lead by Example team is advancing energy benchmarking across state and public school properties, tracking and analyzing energy use to identify opportunities for greater efficiency. Better data supports better decisions, helping reduce energy use and emissions while improving the performance and resilience of public buildings. Explore OER’s progress through our interactive Energy Benchmarking Dashboard: energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample/…

Energy storage is an important part of advancing Rhode Island’s energy goals and Act on Climate objectives. Check out the latest data from OER’s Energy Storage Rebate Program dashboard: energy.ri.gov/storage/energy…

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program continues to support long-term energy improvements and savings for income eligible households. New federal programmatic guidance now prohibits fuel switching for appliances but opens the door for electric to more efficient electric conversions. There is also the HEAR Pilot Program available in East Bay municipalities for moderate income households to take advantage of the program. OER will be expanding the Pilot Program to moderate income households statewide over the coming months. Please check out the latest information and dashboard data on the program: energy.ri.gov/incentives/hom…

The OER Energy Storage Rebate Program offers rebates for the purchase and installation of behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems up to 250 kW at Rhode Island homes and businesses. This rebate program supports the State’s energy storage objectives and clean energy economy. Check out the latest program dashboard data at: energy.ri.gov/storage/energy…

OER is advancing new Lead by Example projects that will support the installation of upgraded HVAC control systems at two Providence Public School District facilities: Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex and Nathan Bishop Middle School. This project will modernize building automation systems to improve indoor air quality, reduce energy waste, and lower long-term operating costs, which supports healthier, more efficient learning environments for Providence students and staff. OER continues to partner with municipalities and schools across Rhode Island to advance energy projects that benefit students and staff, and create long-term energy savings for schools and municipalities. Learn more about the Lead by Example Program’s offerings at: energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample

Rhode Island’s 2025 Clean Energy Industry Report provides information on the State’s clean energy sector, including employment trends and demographic data. OER develops these annual reports in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Fund and BW Research Partnership, and they have tracked Rhode Island’s clean energy sectors since 2015, providing insight into changes in the industry over time. 2025 Rhode Island Clean Energy Industry Report: energy.ri.gov/sites/g/files/… Learn more and view the 2025 report and infographic: energy.ri.gov/climate-change…

OER is advancing new Lead by Example projects that will support the installation of LED lighting across nine Providence Public School District facilities – Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, E-Cubed Academy, George J. West Elementary School, Governor Christopher DelSesto Middle School, Leviton Dual Language School, Nathan Bishop Middle School, Reservoir Avenue School, The Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. & Charlotte Woods Elementary School, and Webster Avenue School. These projects will support healthier, more efficient learning environments for Providence students and staff. These investments will also improve lighting quality, reduce energy waste, and lower long-term operating costs. OER continues to partner with municipalities and schools across Rhode Island to advance energy projects that benefit students and staff and create long-term energy savings for schools and municipalities. Learn more about the Lead by Example Program’s offerings at: energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample.

Rhode Island is expanding its electric vehicle charging station network. OER, in partnership with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, is advancing a $2.36 million project to install new publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure at the Cranston and Wakefield DMV facilities. Construction is underway, with the new charging infrastructure scheduled to be operational in spring 2027. The project will add 20 charging ports across the two locations, including 10 DC fast-charging ports and 10 Level 2 charging ports. Once completed, the stations will provide additional charging access for the public, State fleet vehicles, and State employees. This OER Lead by Example project is a continuing effort to expand access to convenient EV charging across the State. Learn more about the Lead by Example Program’s offerings at: energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample

OER has been advancing Lead by Example energy savings efforts with schools across the state. We recently completed Phase 2 of an LED lighting upgrade project across five Providence Public School District facilities – Roger Williams Middle School, Nathanael Greene Middle School, Hope High School, Lillian Feinstein Elementary School, and A-Venture Academy. Phase 2 builds on the previously completed Phase 1 of the project, which delivered LED lighting upgrades at four schools within the district – Alfred Lima Elementary School, Central High School, Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, and Leviton Dual Language School. Combined, Phase 1 and Phase 2 represent a total investment of $2.9 million, resulting in an estimated 11,000,000 kWh in energy savings and a reduction of 7,400 tons of CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the equipment. These projects will support healthier, more efficient learning environments for Providence students and staff. These investments will also improve lighting quality, reduce energy waste, and lower long-term operating costs. OER continues to partner with municipalities and schools across Rhode Island to advance energy projects that benefit students and staff and create long-term energy savings for schools and municipalities. Learn more about the Lead by Example Program’s offerings at: energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample

OER has posted its results to date (through July 2026) for its ongoing 2023 to 2028 Strategic Goals, highlighting progress toward a clean, affordable, reliable, and resilient energy future for Rhode Island. The Strategic Goals and Results provide a status update on advancements in solar, energy storage, heat pumps, energy efficiency and clean transportation program and policy efforts, in addition to the federal energy efficiency, solar, workforce, internship, and clean transportation funds secured and programs and projects launched. Key milestones include securing more than $200 million in federal energy funds, expanding electric vehicle charging stations statewide, completing over 113 clean energy projects across state, municipal, and school properties, and launching first-time OER electric vehicle, energy storage, electric bicycle, heat pump and electrification programs that have collectively awarded over 10,000 rebates to constituents. OER has also launched public dashboards to track the progress and results of those respective energy programs. Read the Strategic Goals and Results at: energy.ri.gov/sites/g/files/…

Regional energy collaboration with our neighboring states is critical to advancing Rhode Island’s energy objectives. Check out OER’s latest video and learn more about our ongoing regional initiatives and procurement efforts: energy.ri.gov/resources/majo…

For households, there is now real-time electricity monitoring through the new Sense Home app, enabled by advanced meters installed across the state. This app provides insights into energy use, helping households identify consumption patterns and reduce energy usage. Eligible households may download the free app to begin tracking and managing their energy use more effectively. sense.com/rie/

Over the month of August, our state solar & wind installations produced a total of 158 MWh of electricity, preventing 75.6 tons of CO2 from reaching the atmosphere, and saving Rhode Island taxpayers $35,419.

OER has updated its Lead by Example Programs Dashboard with results and data through August 2026. Over the past several years, OER’s Lead by Example programs have: • Supported more than 185 state, municipal and school energy projects across Rhode Island • Driven more than $48 million in total project investments • Generated more than $57 million in energy bill cost savings • Delivered significant long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions Explore the latest results and program data: energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample/…

Yesterday, OER was pleased to welcome 13 students participating in the Energy Fellows Program through @universityofri Cooperative Extension. During their visit, the students met with OER staff and learned about Rhode Island’s clean energy policies, programs and initiatives. The Energy Fellows concluded their visit with a guided tour of the rooftop solar system at the Powers Building, which helps supply electricity to the Capitol campus.