Walnut & Willow Farm in Lincoln, Rhode Island, blends family heritage with a modern commitment to sustainability. Owned and operated part-time by Jeff and Sara Crompton, the farm continues a legacy that began in 1964, when Jeff’s grandfather cultivated corn and tomatoes on the land. 

Today, Jeff and his family focus on pastured poultry and producing market garden goods including jams, jellies, and salsas. Their land also features a woodlot, providing cordwood, camp wood, and even a small sugar bush for winter syrup production. 

“We are lucky enough to have the state champion willow tree on the front of the property. My grandfather planted a willow tree when each of his four children were born, and the one that’s left was planted for my mother,” Jeff explains. 

Upon moving into the property in 2021, the family performed an energy audit and discovered they needed to replace an aging barn. For the couple, the addition of solar panels felt like a natural next step and the right financial decision.  

“My grandfather was always very energy focused, and we wanted to continue that moving forward. The solar panels felt like a natural progression with the new roof, it was perfect timing.” 

With support from the Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Grant Program, Walnut & Willow installed a solar energy system that has dramatically reduced their utility costs. The 6.48 kW system now covers nearly 100% of the farm's energy needs and saves them around $2,000 every year.  

“The immediate impact of the solar panels is a significant reduction in our utility bills. Coming out of our first winter, the system performed better than anticipated which was a wonderful surprise.” 

But they’re not stopping there! The family plans to replace propane in their commercial kitchen by installing heat pumps and induction cooktops, fully transitioning to electricity.  

“We have young kids growing up and we want to leave this farm better than we found it, and I think most of the local farmers that we’ve met and worked with have the same outlook.” 

By embracing renewable energy and sustainable practices, Walnut & Willow Farm honors its heritage while building a resilient future. Jeff, Sara, and their family are dedicated to preserving the land and passing down a farm that thrives for generations to come, echoing a legacy symbolized by their property’s champion willow tree. 

“I would absolutely recommend the Agricultural energy Grant Program to farmers, and I have! It’s been a game changer for us in accelerating our clean energy timeline and allowing us to be more sustainable.” 

For more information on the Agricultural Energy Grant Program and how it can benefit your farm, please visit: https://energy.ri.gov/energy-efficiency/farmers 

Meri Spicer, a resident of North Kingstown, is among the growing number of drivers embracing used electric vehicles with the help of the state's DriveEV rebate program. Earlier this year, Meri received a $1,000 rebate after purchasing a used 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, making her a proud and loyal owner of her fifth VW.  

“I’ve been wanting to go electric for a long time. I like to consider myself someone who is conscious of climate change and was hoping to move away from gas as much as possible,” says Meri. 

Meri splits her time between her family and her job at Hope & Main in Warren. At Hope & Main, Meri helps to support individuals and small businesses looking to get started in the food industry. Moving to RI from Vermont, Meri knew she wanted to continue pursuing her passion for culinary arts while helping others thrive in the business as well. 

Commuting a few days a week, Meri typically charges her car to 80%, which gives her about 200 miles of range. For frequent longer trips to Connecticut and Massachusetts, she charges to 100% which extends her range to 250 miles. 

“We spent a few years weighing our options between a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric vehicle, test-driving several models. However, the cost was a major factor. After a long search, we finally found a used fully electric car that fit our needs.” 

Meri’s decision to purchase a used EV highlights an important aspect of the market, which is the availability of pre-owned models and cost-effective options.  

Before choosing the ID.4, Meri test drove several other models of hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Ultimately, the state's EV rebate program made her switch to a fully electric vehicle an easy choice. Meri was excited to take advantage of the long-term cost savings that come with owning an EV.  

“I think the state rebate programs are essential to people like me who are considering the switch with price as a big consideration. It’s super easy, helpful, and very welcome.” 

Meri’s experience with her Volkswagen ID.4 has been overwhelmingly positive so far. She appreciates the cost savings on gas and maintenance, and the convenience of charging stations in her area. Shortly after the purchase of her EV, Meri opted to install a Level 2 charger at her home.  

“I encourage anyone who wants an electric vehicle, but thinks they’re out of their price range, to take another look. There are plenty of great used EV’s on the market!” 

For more information on how you can benefit from Rhode Island’s DriveEV rebate program, visit https://drive.ri.gov/.  

In August, Governor McKee, Acting OER Commissioner Chris Kearns and RI DEM Director Terry Grey joined Ethan Hattoy and his family on an insightful, sunny tour of Hattoy’s Nursery and Garden Center in Coventry.  

This family-owned agribusiness has been a cornerstone of the Coventry community for nearly 40 years, offering a wide array of plants, garden supplies and other essentials for gardeners of all levels. Hattoy’s has earned a reputation for excellence in quality and service, all while embracing a commitment to sustainability. 

In 2023, Hattoy’s received an Agricultural Energy Grant, which allowed the farm to install a 13.53 kW solar system on the roof of its retail building, offsetting 100% of its annual energy costs. 

State officials had the opportunity to see firsthand how the clean energy system has transformed the business's operations by providing renewable energy and reducing its environmental footprint.  

In recognition of their efforts, Governor McKee presented Hattoy’s Nursery and Garden Center with a Certificate of Special Recognition, honoring their participating in the Agricultural Energy Grant Program and commending their contribution to advancing the states transition to 100% renewable energy.  

This tour underscores the state's commitment to supporting local businesses through sustainable solutions and advancing Rhode Island’s clean energy goals.  

For more information on the Agricultural Energy Grant Program and how it can benefit your agribusiness, please visit: https://energy.ri.gov/energy-efficiency/farmers

Errol Danehy, a lifelong resident of Rhode Island, is a great example of how residents are using the DriveEV rebate program to adopt electric vehicles (EVs). Recently, Errol took advantage of DriveEV’s income-qualified rebate, receiving $2,000 after purchasing a pre-owned battery electric Mini Cooper.

As an event producer at Brown University specializing in tech assistance, Errol enjoys the flexibility his job offers. Living close to where he works, his short commute is ideally suited for an EV.

Errol’s decision to go electric was primarily driven by his commitment to sustainability. “It was an environmental concern, and the cost was also really a big deal,” he explains. “With EV prices decreasing and gas prices increasing, it just made sense.”

Primarily, Errol uses his EV for commuting and taking scenic drives around Rhode Island. He notes that range anxiety isn’t a concern since his typical round trips are usually 60-70 miles. “The furthest I’ve gone is Boston; I found a charger where I was going and didn’t have any issues.”

While Errol doesn’t have a charger at home, he occasionally uses a garage outlet when necessary, relying primarily on public charging stations at work. Having access to charging at work makes owning an EV incredibly convenient; he simply plugs in during the day and the car is ready to go when he leaves.

Since purchasing his EV in November, Errol has saved over $700 in gas costs. He appreciates the lower maintenance requirements, noting that oil changes and belt replacements are a thing of the past. Additionally, he enjoys the improved climate control efficiency and comfort of his EV. “I don’t feel guilty for wasting gas when I drive around now. It’s a much better experience overall.”

Errol is a strong advocate for EVs, recommending them to anyone considering the switch or looking for their next car. His positive experience and substantial savings highlight the benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles, proving that with the right resources and support, making the switch is both rewarding and environmentally friendly.

For more information on how you can benefit from Rhode Island’s DriveEV rebate program, visit: https://drive.ri.gov/. 

Windmist Farm in Jamestown, Rhode Island, is the perfect example of how sustainable choices can benefit both the environment and the economic bottom line. Martha Neal and her husband George decided to pursue a clean energy system in 2018, redefining the farms carbon footprint, and significantly reducing their energy bills.  

Since the 1960s, Windmist Farm has been family-owned and operated, providing high quality, grass-fed and pasture-raised meat and eggs, along with vegetables and other products.  

“We require a lot of storage for these products; we run 5 chest freezers as well as 2 walk-in freezers and a cooler. We looked into solar years ago and decided it was too costly, but in 2018 the town of Jamestown ran an incentive program called Solarize Jamestown, and it seemed like the right time to look into it again,” said Martha.  

With the help of several funding sources including the Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Program, USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program, and Rhode Island Commerce’s Renewable Energy Fund, Windmist Farm installed a 25.21-kilowatt solar panel system on top of two southern facing barn roofs. 

Windmist Farm now saves a remarkable $18,000 each year in energy costs, and the payback period was calculated at just under 4 years.  

“I absolutely recommend my farmer friends look into these solar grant opportunities, because the people that are involved are very helpful, and the energy savings are well worth the time and effort it took to apply for the grants and have the project completed.” 

If you are a farmer or small business owner looking for ways to save money on your energy bills, please contact our helpful staff at the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. 

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) has been traveling around Rhode Island to interview recipients of the Erika Niedowski Electric Bike Rebate Program, which offers standard and income-qualified rebates for electric bikes. These bikes offer enhanced speed and distance compared to conventional bikes while still providing exercise and the joy of biking. 

Elizabeth Petersen and her family have enjoyed e-biking in Newport for many years. Recently, she purchased her very own Aventon Soltera e-bike, which she utilizes for both commuting and recreation activities, thanks to OER's e-bike rebate initiative. 

“It’s a much easier way to get around here in Newport, especially during the summertime,” said Elizabeth. “You can avoid traffic and you don’t have to park it.”  

Although Elizabeth has owned this specific e-bike for a short time, her prior experiences have led her to plan to install a rear rack capable of carrying one to two weeks' worth of groceries. The e-bike, which was pre-assembled by Dash Bicycles in Providence, comes equipped with a front cargo basket that she finds handy when she goes to get coffee from local shops to bring to the beach. 

Some of the advantages Elizabeth noticed while owning an e-bike is being able to go on a bike ride before work.  She says, “it’s a lot faster and easier than taking a normal bike, it's just easier putting into my day to day”. 

Another advantage she enjoys is using her e-bike in place of a car most places she goes. This not only saves her time in traffic but also saves money on fuel cost, as well as reduces her carbon footprint.  

Elizabeth emphasizes how useful the throttle can be to people who may struggle with starting and pedaling a bike. E-bikes allow the rider to use less physical effort with the motor assist, helping them to enjoy bike riding again.  

Elizabeth is very passionate about e-bikes and encourages anyone interested to apply to the rebate.  

To learn more about rebates for e-bike visit: drive.ri.gov/ebike. 

Last season, Rhode Island College’s Women’s Basketball team took home the title of Little East Champions and made it to the NCAA Division III Championship Semi-Finals for the first time in history. Now, they get to start off the 2024 season in the Murray Center with brand-new lighting.  

The Office of Energy Resources has taken on a significant energy efficiency project with RIC to replace existing lighting systems with state-of-the-art LED fixtures and integrated controls across four major facilities: the Murray Center, Clark Science Lecture Halls, Fogarty Auditorium, and Penfield Hall.  

OER’s Lead by Example team has been working closely with RIC to provide technical support throughout the completion of the project. Installation has already commenced, and we anticipate completion by January 2024. This endeavor has been funded by OER using proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, complemented by energy efficiency rebates provided by Rhode Island Energy. 

The gymnasium has converted 64 lighting fixtures to LEDs that face upward using the ceiling's white paint to reflect light back onto the court, providing indirect lighting that does not shine directly in players' eyes. This new lighting will not only improve the players’ and spectators’ experience, but it will also provide RIC with major energy savings.  

“We are very excited about the lighting upgrades that were completed in the Murray Center,” said Jim Murphy, Assistant Director Facilities & Operations. “OER has been a great partner throughout this project, and we are proud to be leading by example for other schools to follow.” 

Upon completion of this project, every facility within Rhode Island College will be illuminated with LED lighting—a remarkable achievement in energy efficiency and sustainability. 

The Rhode Island State Police, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, have implemented energy efficiency upgrades to multiple State Police facilities. 

In May 2023, the State Police received a Lead by Example Clean Energy Award due to their significant reduction in energy use and carbon emissions. This project focused on converting the Rhode Island State Police Public Safety complex to LED lights with intergraded controls, making the facility 100 percent LED and saving the state over $45,000 per year in energy costs. 

The police upgraded the HVAC systems at the training academy barracks located in Foster. The building, built in 1955, is a single-story structure that spans 7,732 square feet and until now has largely remained unchanged. 

Historically, this facility relied on an oil heating system. Replacing the system with a state-of-the-art heat pump ensures greater efficiency and also significantly reduces their carbon footprint, along with increasing comfort within the training barracks. These facilities are primarily a training hub for state police recruits and provide sleeping quarters, classrooms, and various amenities. 

“Overall, the energy efficiency project has resulted in a more efficiency, comfortable, safer and sustainable facility,” said Captain Ron Longolucco, Division Administrative Officer for Rhode Island State Police. “The main benefits of the HVAC system upgrade include Improved efficiency, better ability to meet the buildings thermal needs by having the flexibility to control the heating and cooling to different areas as needed which enhance the indoor air quality and occupancy comfort.”  

An important step in installing a new heat pump is also ensuring air tightness and improving the weatherization of the building. To enhance the thermal performance of the building, the police installed new windows and bolstered the attic insulation. This project's energy savings are estimated to result in nearly 100 tons of avoided carbon emission per year, taking another substantial step towards helping the state achieve the goals outlined in the 2021 Act on Climate. 

Sarah Doherty joined OER in September 2023 as the Thermal Programs Manager. We are thrilled to have her on our team and asked her to introduce herself to our readers.

Please tell us about your background.

I spent the last five years working as the operations manager for the energy efficiency and electrification department at Energy New England, a Massachusetts-based joint action agency that represents half of the state’s municipal light plans. There, I oversaw a ten-member team that provided residential and commercial services like energy assessments and rebate program design for heat pumps, weatherization, appliances, solar panels, lawn equipment, and electric vehicles.

What led you to work at OER?

I value public service and the role was a great opportunity to expand upon my previous experience in public power. I’m looking forward to increasing my knowledge of thermal energy and implementing energy efficiency and electrification programs for Rhode Islanders.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for Rhode Island in adopting clean energy?

The Clean Heat Rhode Island program is a wonderful opportunity for us to help state residents not only install clean heating but also weatherize their homes and upgrade their electric service. 

Name: Sarah Doherty

Job Title: Thermal Programs Manager

Hometown: Tuxedo, New York

Favorite Food: Avocado, egg, and cheese on an English muffin.

Favorite hobby and/or sport: I bought my first house in September 2022, so anything DIY home improvement and gardening.

Ideal Vacation: Paris in the late spring or the west coast of Ireland in the summer.

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) has been traveling around Rhode Island to interview recipients of the Erika Niedowski Electric Bike Rebate Program, which offers standard and income-qualified rebates for electric bikes. These bikes offer enhanced speed and distance compared to conventional bikes while still providing exercise and the joy of biking. 

Larry Davis is an e-bike owner in Newport who uses his bike for running errands and riding around his favorite spots in Rhode Island, including Fort Adams. Larry was able to purchase his e-bike through OER’s e-bike rebate program. Since he purchased the e-bike in November, Larry has put over 600 miles on it. 

E-bikes are electric bicycles with a motor that gives riders a boost and has a rechargeable battery. With an e-bike, users can save money on fuel and maintenance by replacing daily car trips with e-bike rides. They offer the advantages such as, making it easier to travel greater distances, conquer hills more easily, reduce perspiration, and reduce their carbon footprint. 

“Applying for the rebate was very easy,” said Larry. “The application was straight forward, and I had no trouble with it.”

The Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bike Rebate Program is an extension of DRIVEEV. The program has been open since October 24, 2022, and it has given a total of 660 rebates as of July 31, 2023. 

Hills are no longer a barrier for Larry’s bike rides. The motor on the e-bike aids the rider when going up hills, making the commute easier and faster than on a traditional bike. This gives Larry the option to completely replace his car and use his e-bike for commuting and recreation. 

E-bikes require very little maintenance. Larry has not noticed any differences when comparing the e-bike to a traditional bike, other than having to charge the battery. 

Owning an e-bike has made Larry more motivated to go out on bike rides and encourages anyone interested in an e-bike to apply for the rebate. 

To learn more about rebates for e-bike visit: drive.ri.gov/ebike.