RITBA Solar Energy and Emergency Power

ProjectPublic Information Meeting

January 10, 2017

Why A Solar Energy Project?

RITBA is a socially and fiscally conscious agency.

• Installed energy efficient LED lights on the

bridges

• Headquarters building designed and built with

many energy efficiencies

• Maintains a free to the public electric vehicle

charging station

• The solar project is part of RITBA’s overall energy

efficiency program

• Fixed price of electricity for over 20 years will help

stabilize costs and lead to significant savings

• Reducing energy cost and operating expenses

are clearly part of RITBA’s core mission

Why A Solar Energy Project?

Rhode Island Energy PolicyR.I.G.L. Title 39 Chapter 39-26 Renewable Energy Standard

• “Increased use of renewable energy can reduce air pollutants,

including carbon dioxide emissions, that adversely effect public

health and contribute to global warming.”

• “..…increase levels of electric energy supplied in the state from

renewable resources.”

• Under law the goal for 2017 is 13% of electricity sold in RI must

come from renewables

• This goal increases to 17.5% in the year 2020

Why A Solar Energy Project?

RITBA is doing its part to:

• Support the state’s energy policy

• Reduce reliance on large central power plants

• Protect the environment

• Protect public health

• Reduce reliance on foreign oil

• Help the state meet its renewable energy goals

• Control unstable electric costs

• Provide emergency power for all bridges

Why A Solar Energy Project?

• RITBA uses over 500,000 kw of power on a yearly basis for

the Newport Bridge and Jamestown facility

• The project will provide approximately 50 to 60% of this power

• This project will also provide RITBA with four backup

generators

• They will be deployed at each of the bridges we maintain and

will help provide safety for the motoring public

• Utilizing a firm with a proven track record in developing solar

energy projects in Rhode Island

• RITBA has an approved net-metering financing arrangement

• Third party will pay for project development costs

RITBA & Town of Jamestown

• RITBA has been a good neighbor and maintains an excellent

working relationship with the Town of Jamestown

• RITBA considers itself to be a member of the Jamestown

community

• RITBA has been transparent throughout all initiatives and projects

• Sold land to Jamestown for Town Maintenance Building

• Provided financial grants to numerous town organizations

• Kept Town informed and worked in conjunction with the Town on

the solar project planning

• Have listened to Town concerns and have modified project to

address Town’s issues and concerns

• Will modify the project further to address Town’s concerns

• Contribute approximately $30,000 per year to PILOT Program

Timeline of Public Process October 2014 Initial discussions about solar use for RITBA

November 2014 Discussion with building official about solar on land abutting the bridge approach

January 2015 Application to Renewable Energy Fund at Commerce RI for a 500kw project on parcel in Jamestown south of bridge approach which would require clearing the entire wooded area

January 22, 2015 Meeting with Town of Jamestown staff to review the project and inform that project is not subject to town permitting. Requested by Commerce RI staff as a component to the grant approval.

February 2015 Received grant award notice from Commerce RI. Press release issued and press coverage

February 2015 Applied to PUC for declaratory judgement that RITBA was a “public entity” under the states renewable energy law. PUC process was publically noticed

March 2015 PUC declared RITBA a public entity under the Renewable Energy law

April 2015 RITBA goes out to public bid for an energy partner for its solar project in Jamestown

May 2015 RITBA BOD in public meeting awards contract to Econox/Altus for solar project and emergency generators. Meeting agenda made public before meeting and Minutes of meeting made public

September 2015 Altus submits RITBA solar project to National Grid

November 2015 National Grid requires full Feasibility Study

March 2016 National Grid approves interconnection at subject parcel with a smaller (288kw) system. (Note:System is still showing the wooded area to be cleared and located in 2 areas of the lot)

May 2016 Solar Project sign is installed on parcel to inform public the project is coming

July 2016 Articles appear in Jamestown press and RITBA replies to conservation commission comments and public interest. Also, meeting with Jamestown Town Manager and staff to update project (new design addressing conservation commission comments)

August 2016 Meeting with Jamestown Town Council to review project

October 2016 Meeting with Connanicut Island Land Trust to discuss project. Also, met with Jamestown Town Council

November 2016 Presentation to Jamestown Town Council on project update

December 2016 Presentation to Jamestown Town Council on project update

Project Approvals

• February 2015 – The RI Department of Commerce approved the project and

awarded RITBA a $314,000 grant for the development of the project

• March 2015 – The RI Public Utilities Commission after conducting a duly noticed

public hearing approved the project

o The PUC concluded the project serves the public good by supplying clean

electricity for RITBA’s operations

o The PUC also declared that RITBA is a “public entity” and authorized RITBA

to participate in the Net Metering program

• April 2015 – In a duly noticed public meeting, the RITBA Board approved hiring

CDM Smith as a consultant to put together solar and emergency power RFP

• May 2015 – In a duly noticed public meeting, the RITBA Board approved and

awarded developer Milnes/Econox Group to design, build, and operate the solar

array system and the emergency generators

Other RITBA Properties

A. Newport

• RITBA doesn’t own the land• City of Newport has a major initiative to reconfigure the roadway

and use this land for economic development

B. Parcel south of RT. 138, west of East Shore Road

• Location is too small • Shading is an issue • Contains drainage swales for toll plaza and nearby roads

C. Field near RITBA Maintenance Building

• Space used for overflow parking• Space used for events such as Save the Bay Swim, Pell Bridge

Run and other events • Prep area for construction projects – equipment & materials• Great vista of bay as drivers travel through Jamestown

D. Morretti’s Pond

• Parcel is way too small• Existing coastal feature• Serves as storm water basin • Would require redesign of drainage system

Other RITBA Properties

Other RITBA Properties

E. Eldred Street west of soccer field

• Heavily wooded area; requires clearing of more trees than proposed site

• More visible from RT. 138 due to topography• Contains Indian Artifacts perhaps dating to

4,500 years ago

F. Parcel south of RT. 138, east of North Road

• Wetlands• Heavily wooded area; requires clearing of

more trees than proposed site• Habitat intense

G. Parcel north of Rt. 138 west of Beacon Ave.

• Wetlands• Property is too small• Heavily wooded area• Very visible western entrance to Jamestown

H. Parcel south of Nautilus Road, north of RT. 138

• Property is too small• No buffer for nearby residents• Heavily wooded area• Would be extremely visible due to elevation of

RT. 138 and bridge

I. Parcel south of RT. 138, east of Seaside Drive

• Property is too small• No buffer for nearby resident• Coastal parcel • Existing detention basin• Extremely visible due to elevation of RT. 138 and

bridge

Other RITBA Properties

Other RITBA Properties

J. Saunderstown, south of RT. 138 at Plum Point

• Coastal parcel• Extremely visible due to elevation of RT. 138 and

bridge• Adjacent to active beach • No buffer for residents or beachgoers

RITBA Proposed Site

In a commercial area including:• A boatyard/repair

facility• Jamestown Highway

Department• Sewage plant• Police Station• Club House,

restaurant, bar and parking lot

• RIBTA construction and maintenance area

• RITBA Headquarters

Project Visibility

• The solar panels will be

surrounded on three sides by

trees and natural vegetation

• The “fourth” side will be

bordered by the 20 foot high

embankment for the Newport

Pell Bridge

• Will only be directly visible

from the Newport Bridge

approach ramp

Original Revision 1 Revision 2

Typical Solar Array’s

Proposal Schematic

Existing Jamestown “Gateway”

Proposed Jamestown “Gateway”

• RITBA will create and maintain a new “Gateway” to “Historic Jamestown”

• It will do so by an “Adopt a Spot” type program

• RITBA will create the “Gateway” on the triangular shaped traffic island at the intersection of E. Shore Road and Conanicus Road

• RITBA will create and maintaining an attractive landscaped (shrubbery and flowers) parcel which will include a large sign identical to the existing signs that are in the area

• This new “Gateway” along with the natural vegetation buffer at the project site will create and maintain the type of impression and character the town desires for motorist traveling into town on E. Shore and Conanicus Roads