There are many organizations here in Rhode Island that are working hard on many of the issues that impact the energy crisis.  YesWeCan-RI will work in cooperation with several of these organizations, and try to bring the best information to the public, while trying to motivate Rhode Islanders to make a difference in their personal and professional activities.

• The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living and the Sustainable RI initiative are aimed at improving the use of alternative energy and decreasing energy consumption.  They launched the energy cooperative People’s Power and Light - which provides energy obtained from renewable sources to members throughout the state. They host educational forums on sustainable housing development, sustainable food procurement, and many other topics, and also host a sustainable living festival in the spring. On their website (www.apeiron.org) is a list of organizations in the state which contribute to the goal of a sustainable community - and there are over 1,000 such organizations to which a person can contribute money or time.

• People’s Power and Light is an energy cooperative that is working toward increasing the sources of large-volume alternative energy production in the state. Subscribers to services by the National Grid can become members of the New England Greenstart program. Click for more info.

• The US Green Building Council has a new chapter in Rhode Island. This non-profit organization is an attempt to bring lawmakers, city planners, and builders together to improve the way we develop Rhode Island. The organization hosts educational seminars for the public on various topics in green construction, and will also be offering courses for LEED certification (Leadership Engineering in Environmental Development) for those in the construction, electric, and heating and cooling industries. See www.usgbcri.org.

• The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources is a state governmental organization which oversees all aspects of energy production and consumption in the state. Their website includes a list of many projects, both active and planned, to add sources of renewable energy across the state. This is a good place to find out about the projects that could survive or fail in government negotiations, and may be an opportunity for citizen influence. The website also provides a spreadsheet of all available federal and state tax credits and incentives for those installing energy efficient processes or alternative energy sources in their homes or businesses. Visit www.energy.ri.gov.

• Grow Smart Rhode Island is a similar organization which is also focused on greener development in the state. The organization works on many different aspects of development: transportation, farming, brownfield clean-up, restoration of historic buildings, affordable housing, and water protection. On the website is a booklet which has been provided to the state governmental representatives entitled “Blueprint for Sustainable Prosperity and Enhanced Quality of Place”. Our representatives have seen their suggestions, but it is up to the citizens of the state to make them a priority. Visit www.growsmartri.org.

• The recent passage of the economic stimulus passage includes opportunities for green job development. The California based organization Green For All provides information on green job initiatives that have been passed in various states around the country - including our neighbor Massachusetts (Mass Green Jobs Act 2008). The website offers suggestions of ways to push for similar initiatives in our own state. Visit www.greenforall.org.