$150 million proposed to fight climate change in RI

"This is the first time that money has been allocated to the council to actually do the work we're charged with doing.": Director of D.E.M.

PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) – Governor McKee proposed a total of approximately $150 million to fight climate change impacts on the Ocean State as a part of the FY2023 budget.

“The budget will fund a series of proposals that will not only reduce harmful greenhouse gases and build more resilient communities, but it will also invigorate our economy.”

Included in that proposal:

• $60 million to improve infrastructure at the Port of Davisville expanding capacity for offshore wind developers and existing automobile import & processing businesses
• $35 million for the City of East Providence’s proposed improvements to South Quay Marine Terminal as a centralized hub to support offshore wind industry (Phase 1)
• $37 million to create the Electric Heat Pump Incentive Program in collaboration with RI Office of Energy Resources, intended to help homeowners and small to mid-size business owners obtain electric heat pumps
• $23 million to expand EV charging stations
• $6 million annually to support the EC4/Act on Climate mandates which includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean transportation, clean heating, energy storage, demand-side management, and other Co2 initiatives.

The investments were praised as “unprecedented” by Terrence Gray, Director of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). “As many of you know, the legislature passed the act on climate change, Governor McKee signed it back in April. It is a very aggressive and historic piece of legislation that’s going to drive us to become a leader in responding to climate change.”