PROVIDENCE, R.I. (October 30, 2024) – Rhode Island Energy won two Leaders of the Pack awards from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), an honor which recognizes exemplary energy efficiency programs across the United States. 

Rhode Island Energy’s Strategic Energy Management Partnership (SEMP) initiative and the Residential New Construction (RNC) program were recognized with the ACEEE awards.

"To receive a Leader of the Pack award from ACEEE is an incredible achievement,” said Greg Cornett, president of Rhode Island Energy. “ACEEE is an important leader in its efforts to combat energy waste and climate change. So, when your program is recognized as a Leader of the Pack, it is lauded as a standard for other energy companies, government agencies and third-party program administrators to learn from. We’re honored to have two of our programs recognized. It is a testament to Rhode Island Energy’s ongoing commitment to help customers achieve their energy efficiency goals.”

The Strategic Energy Management Partnership initiative

The SEMP initiative enhances and expands long-term relationships with Rhode Island Energy’s 12 largest commercial and industrial customers to meet mutual energy and sustainability goals. Designed to help customers think long-term about their energy use, needs and equipment, the initiative offers a tailored approach to each customer’s specific needs and results in comprehensive energy savings.

Over 100 projects with these participants have been implemented in each of the past six years resulting in net energy savings of 8,900 MWh and .2 million therms. The SEMP initiative provides an integrated package of financial, technical and program management support to help participants achieve energy efficiency saving targets and goals.

“Our partnership with the SEMP initiative, in conjunction with Rhode Island Energy, has been instrumental in helping us achieve significant energy efficiency savings while aligning with our broader sustainability goals,” said Harry Oakley, director of Energy, Sustainability, Procurement and Corporate Facilities at Ocean State Job Lot, a major retailer with more than 150 stores including 19 in Rhode Island. “The collaborative planning and innovative approaches within SEMP have empowered us to make impactful progress, and we’re excited to continue working together to enhance our energy management practices.”

“Johnson & Wales University, in working with Rhode Island Energy as part of the SEMP program, has seen some great success in moving projects forward,” said Matthew Fannon, director of Sustainability and Resource Management at Johnson & Wales University. “We are in year seven of working together and over that time, we have been able to get tech reviews in order to understand the best solutions for our energy efficiency goals. The SEMP team also keeps us informed of different incentive programs available so that projects are affordable and meeting our financial goals.”

Residential New Construction program

Rhode Island Energy’s RNC program leverages longstanding, trusted relationships with the construction industry and actively engages builders, developers, designers, contractors, building inspectors, affordable housing entities, students and homeowners to provide comprehensive training and technical support for program participants.

The RNC program provides downstream performance-based rebates for each unit that meets the program’s energy efficiency standards and offers additional prescriptive rebates for achieving zero-energy construction certifications, such as the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home and Passive House programs. A zero-energy construction certification includes the installation of high efficiency heating, cooling and hot water equipment and supports the design and construction of fossil fuel-free homes.

Between 2021 and 2023, 121 zero-energy homes were completed, with 354 more in the pipeline. The RNC program serves 500 to 650 of the 1,300 new residential unit permits pulled each year in Rhode Island.

About Rhode Island Energy

Rhode Island Energy provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity or natural gas. Our team of more than 1,300 employees is dedicated to helping Rhode Island customers and communities thrive, while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Rhode Island Energy is part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient, and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions. For more information visit www.RIEnergy.com and stay connected on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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