Rhode Island

Rhode Island Revises Terms as It Issues Its Largest Wind Power Solicitation

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2023

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Rhode Island Revises Terms as It Issues Its Largest Wind Power Solicitation

Rhode Island is home to the Block Island Wind Farm, the first in the U.S. (Orsted file photo)

Published
Oct 16, 2023 6:38 PM by

The Maritime Executive

Rhode Island is moving forward with the state’s largest renewable energy solicitation after announcing it would form a three-state partnership with Connecticut and Massachusetts to review and coordinate a regional approach to offshore renewable energy. At the same time, Rhode Island is also providing additional latitude to developers to provide possible avenues to address the emerging financial challenges in the development of offshore wind energy resources.

The neighboring states each have recently had major offshore projects fall apart due to inflation pressures as well as rising costs due to supply chain problems and concerns over tax credits and incentive programs. Massachusetts agreed to let two projects pay fines to walk away from existing power purchase agreements and recently Connecticut also established a fine for a developer to cancel its power agreement. Last year, Rhode Island decided not to proceed with a proposed project saying that it was concerned over the affordability of the power coming from the offshore wind farm, while last week New York State turned down applications from developers that were seeking to increase the cost of power also citing inflation and rising costs to develop the projects.

Rhode Island’s state power company, Rhode Island Energy on Friday issued its anticipated request for proposals from offshore energy developers. The company is seeking to secure an additional 1.2 GW of offshore power to help address the state’s energy needs. The window to submit proposals runs through January 31, 2024, with the company saying that any winning bids will be announced in the summer of 2024.

“We know there’s a sense of urgency to get more renewables online and we believe this next RFP will give developers a new, unique opportunity to think creatively about how they can meet the state’s clean energy and economic development goals,” said Dave Bonenberger, president of Rhode Island Energy. He believes the structure created in the RFP will balance developers’ approach with the state’s need for affordable energy.

The RFP provides the opportunity for developers to make proposals for all or a portion of the 1.2 GW. The state is still seeking long-term power purchase agreements but it will consider inflation indexing while also citing the renewable energy certificates made available under state law. In addition, the three states said they would jointly review proposals providing developers the opportunity to potentially propose larger or multi-state projects.

“With a larger capacity available, a streamlined application process, additional flexibility on contract durations, and the potential for multi-state coordination, we believe this solicitation could provide greater economies of scale for developers,” said Bonenberger.

Rhode Island notes that it is home to the nation’s first commercial offshore wind farm located near Block Island. Transmission upgrades are also already underway for a second offshore wind project, known as Revolution Wind, which will bring more than 700 MW of energy to Connecticut and Rhode Island. The state’s Coastal Resources Management Council also recently gave its approval to Avangrid’s proposed New England Wind project (formerly known as Vineyard Wind South). The project, which calls for 84 wind turbines 14 miles from Martha’s Vineyard, would provide 804 MW of energy. It is still in the review process with the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

It is unclear how the developers will respond to Rhode Island’s revised structure for proposals. The major companies have been scrambling to rework the finances on proposed projects while threatening to walk away from the American market due to what they perceive to be rigid structure that are not responding to market pressures. Recently, national lease auctions in both the UK and the U.S. received disappointing responses from the developers while the authorities have promised to revise the structures to respond to industry concerns.

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Related Topics:Costs Featured inflation offshore power proposal Rhode Island solicitation structure wind

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 19, 2025

Published

8 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 19 drawing

08-24-35-43-46, Lucky Ball: 04

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 19 drawing

Midday: 7-6-3-9

Evening: 4-0-9-1

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 19 drawing

07-12-29-34-35, Extra: 15

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Parking bans ahead of snow for Southern New England | ABC6

Published

15 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Parking bans ahead of snow for Southern New England | ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Severe cold weather that is expected for Jan. 19 has caused some communities to put parking bans into effect.

Cumberland: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Burrillville: 12 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 20.
West Warwick: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Scituate: 12 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Putnam: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
University of Rhode Island: a partial ban from 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Swansea: 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 8 a.m. on Jan. 20.
Fall River: 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.
Pawtucket: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 until further notice.
Woonsocket: 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 2 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Warren: 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 20.
Cranston: 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Bristol: 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Central Falls: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 until further notice.
North Providence: 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 20.
North Kingstown: 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 20.
Seekonk: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Lincoln: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Smithfield: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Johnston: 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 until 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Providence: 10 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 20.
East Providence: 8 p.m. on Jan. 19 until further notice.
Warwick: 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Raynham: 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 8 a.m. on Jan. 20.
Coventry: 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Taunton: 10 p.m. on Jan. 19 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.

Parking ban updates can be found here as well.

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Rhode Island

Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI

Published

23 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI

Bar Stool Sports founder Dave Portnoy certainly loves a good pizza.

In 2024, Portnoy went all over the state and reviewed the pizzas of four Rhode Island establishments as part of his online show: One Bite Pizza Reviews.

Portnoy grades a pizza shop off his personal criteria: the store-owners’ vibes and the attitude of the patrons eating there, the ambience and atmosphere of the place and, arguably the most important part: the quality of the pie.

Lower ratings on Portnoy’s scale tend to be around 6.0 to 7.5, with the highest ratings being in the 8’s and 9’s.

Here are 2024’s best pizza restaurants in the state, according to Portnoy’s pizza reviews.

4. Merlino’s Pizzeria — Cranston, Rhode Island

Most of this review was Portnoy complaining about the then-recent backlash he received for his comments on the return of Ed Cooley, a former Providence College basketball coach.

Concerning Merlino’s Pizzeria at 889 Dyer Ave, he said it was good and that the pie had “Papa Gino’s vibes.”

He gave Merlino’s Pizzeria an 7.4 out of 10.

“Good, middle-of-the-road pizza,” Portnoy said.

3. D. Palmieri’s Bakery — Johnston, Rhode Island

At first, Portnoy got pizza strips from D. Palmieri’s Bakery at 624 Killingly St., having been told to review the local classic. He tried a cold pizza strip and said it was an acquired taste, giving the Rhode Island delicacy a 5.8.

“If this is Providence food, then everybody’s going hungry,” Portnoy said.

The owner then came out and convinced Portnoy to try their hot bakery pizza.

After approximately 10 minutes of waiting and locals taking selfies with Portnoy, the actual pizza came. Portnoy took a couple bites and gave it a 7.5, complimenting the crispy crust.

“I’m glad I tried this,” Portnoy said.

2. Nice Slice Pizzeria — Providence, Rhode Island

Visiting Nice Slice Pizzeria at 767 Westminster St, Portnoy took one bite and exclaimed “nice,” following up with a “no pun intended,” commenting that he was glad that he and his team picked Nice Slice.

“I take back Providence not having good pizza,” Portnoy said. “This is really good.”

He gave Nice Slice a 7.7.

1. Francesco’s Pizzeria — Providence, Rhode Island

This Providence spot was the standout champion of One Bite Reviews in 2024 in Rhode Island; the restaurant owners heralded Portnoy’s arrival with a sign saying “We Want Portnoy.”

Portnoy said he really liked the pizza at Francesco’s Pizzeria at 357 Hope St. He was surprised by his enjoyment of the pizza, calling it a distant relative of a New Haven pizza.

“This is as good as you can really get from me without getting to the eights,” Portnoy said.

He gave the pizza at Francesco’s Pizzeria a 7.9.

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