
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and Keith Stokes, executive director of Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, recently announced plans to disburse $2.7 million in federal stimulus money to fund green energy projects in the state.
Sixteen organizations and municipalities throughout the smallest state in the country will receive money for renewable energy projects, and the government funds will be matched by $3 million in private capital.
“Lowering the cost of doing business in Rhode Island is a top economic development priority," Stokes said. "By providing increased renewable energy alternatives that will help businesses realize energy cost savings that directly contribute to their bottom line, we will make the state more competitive and encourage future industry and job growth.”
The recipients of the stimulus money applied in response to the state's request for non-utility scale program proposals in late August.
The grants, which will fund projects that can be completed by May of 2012 and support market development and sustainability, are a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was passed in 2009.
Rhode Island's goal was to be the first state with an offshore wind farm, but Cape Wind in Massachusetts is poised to be the first, according to the AP.

