Success Stories

River surrounded by trees — Providence Water Goes Solar

Providence Water today announced that the 4.99 megawatt (MW), 17,739 panel Pine Hill Solar Project located at 10 Pine Hill Road in Johnston is now operational allowing the utility to meet its goal of being powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources.

Solar panels — Solar Array at West Warwick Ice Rink

The City of West Warwick is the first Rhode Island municipality to utilize 100% renewable energy. All municipal buildings, EV charging stations, and an electric plug-in Zamboni are all powered by solar PV and wind installations. Pictured here is the solar array installed on the Town Ice Rink.

Scarborough water treatment facility — Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Facility / Photo: RT Group, Inc.

Hurricane Sandy flooded sections of the Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Facility, causing erosion and other damage. In 2017, a steel sheet pile wall and vegetated earthen berm will be completed to protect this facility from storm surge and sea level rise.

Dirt road near the water — Sapowet Point, Tiverton Coastal Adaptation Project

This project was an effort to restore the condition of the beach and salt marsh while also creating a coastal buffer that will provide area for both the beach and salt marsh to migrate inland as sea level rises. Partners in the Sapowet effort include Save The Bay, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Tiverton Conservation Commission. Funding for the $40,719 project includes $30,759 from CRMC’s Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration Trust Fund and $9,960 from the USFWS's Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration program.

Children on the beach — Prep-RI Providing Resilience Education for Planning in Rhode Island

URI's Coastal Resources Center has created a series of modules for city and town officials to assist in making effective choices supporting resilience planning.

Resources

Climate Change Resources for Rhode Islanders

Rhode Islanders who want to step forward on climate change – to both reduce their carbon footprint and become increasingly resilient - need to know what decisions can have the greatest possible impact. From driving electric vehicles, lowering everyday energy usage to understanding your flood risk, knowing what actions to take can make a difference.

Climate Change Resources for Businesses

Businesses across Rhode Island are taking steps to address climate change, implement sound resilience practices, and remain competitive and profitable. Planning and preparing for extreme climate events can also save lives and keep Rhode Islanders working.

Climate Change Resources for Cities and Towns

Cities and towns across Rhode Island are taking action to address and mitigate climate change's current and future impacts to empower and prepare communities for a new climate reality.