Energy Profile: Town of Westerly

The Town of Westerly, with its world-famous Watch Hill coastal village, is among Rhode Islanders’ favorite summer destinations. Rich in history, it has been home to Hollywood legends such as Clark Gable and business titans including Henry Ford. Today, over 22,000 residents call Westerly home, but the population nearly doubles during its peak summer season. And now, Westerly just became a little greener.

The Westerly town government is leading by example when it comes to clean energy, having completed several energy efficiency projects in the town hall, highway garage and police station. The 100-year-old town hall installed the most upgrades, receiving new insulation, weather stripping, a heating system and an efficient water heater, all which increase the warmth and comfort of the building. The three buildings also replaced their old incandescent lights with new energy efficient LEDS.

Westerly Buildings Manager Charles Sposato says the new lighting is not only energy efficient, but improves safety in the Department of Public Works garage, where mechanics have needed better visibility to do their work.

The town also replaced 2,930 streetlights with LEDs. All together, these improvements are estimated to save the town $243,000 in energy costs each year.

But that’s not all. The Department of Public Works building also received a new solar array, which will save the town another $2,000 per month on electricity bills.

To finance these projects, Westerly used the Efficient Buildings Fund, a program administered by Rhode Island Infrastructure bank in partnership with the Office of Energy Resources.

Westerly’s clean energy upgrades are to be commended and serve as a shining example for others to follow!