Energy Sustainability

The Rhode Island Department of Administration (DOA) participates in the State’s ‘Lead by Example’ initiative to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions across all DOA agencies and divisions. The Lead by Example program was established by the Executive Order (EO 15-17) which developed clear energy goals for State agencies, including, but not limited to:

  • Achievement of an overall reduction in energy consumption of at least 10 percent below FY14 levels by the end of FY19;
  • Procurement of 100% of State government electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2025;
  • Development of strategies for reducing fossil fuel use and GHG emissions from the State fleet, with a goal of ensuring that a minimum of 25% of new light-duty state fleet purchases and leases will be zero-emission vehicles by 2025;
  • Achievement of a high standard of green building operations and maintenance at all State facilities;
  • Establishment of a voluntary stretch building code available for use in all State construction and renovation projects, as well as those in the private sector;
  • Consideration of full life-cycle costs and savings in planning and implementing projects when making cost-effectiveness determinations about investments in capital assets and services;
  • Posting of State energy usage data

The Lead by Example program has several initiatives underway to help Public Entities reduce their energy consumption and costs, and align their efforts with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 15-17, State Agencies to Lead by Example in Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy

DOA assists public sector entities to take control of their energy usage and costs. LBE program is supporting State agencies by making energy consumption and cost data accessible online. DOA already centralized State agency energy data and billing – electric, natural gas, and delivered fuels – to improve energy usage and cost forecasting, streamline payment processes, and develop strategies to meet the State’s energy reduction targets.

We streamline procurement to implement cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In partnership with the Division of Purchases, we developed a Master Price Agreement (MPA 508) for turnkey energy efficiency projects. A Continuous Recruitment (CR44) is also developed to support public sector entities interested in renewable energy projects. These purchasing mechanisms expedite implementation by clearly defining proposal requisition processes and providing access to pools of prequalified vendors.

We develop energy efficiency retrofits and above-code new construction projects for deep energy savings. DCAMM provides administrative, technical and other support resources to assist public sector entities scope, procure, finance, and implement cost-effective energy efficiency projects at their facilities, and will facilitate collaboration between agencies, the utility, and potential vendors.

We stabilize energy costs and shrink our carbon footprint by considering renewable energy for every facility. DCAMM provides administrative, technical, and other support resources to help renewable energy development.

LBE program arms state facilities staff to learn green facility operations and maintenance practices. A recognition program is developed to acknowledge energy pioneers in State agencies.

We reduce the energy supply costs by leveraging economies of scale through competitive procurements for Electricity and Natural Gas Supply. 

For more information on Lead by Example, please contact George Sfinarolakis at the Office of Energy Resources george.sfinarolakis@energy.ri.gov.