Expansion of infrastructure could create energy jobs in Rhode Island

Posted on January 29, 2014

Several New England governors are reaching out to ISO-New England (ISO-NE) to take initial steps needed to implement the recent regional agreement to expand energy infrastructure in the Northeast, a move that will create energy jobs in Rhode Island.

The New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) asked ISO-NE – operator of the region’s electric grid – to assist the states as they develop requests for proposals to construct the transmission infrastructure to import between 1200 MW and 3600 MW of electricity from clean energy sources into the grid.

Strategic infrastructure investments will improve the region’s economic competiveness and attract new investment by reducing overall energy costs for residents and businesses, while protecting New England’s shared quality of life and environment.

The initiative is designed to accelerate regional cooperation on expanding energy infrastructure in New England and transform the region’s energy, environment, and economic future.

“Today, the New England states took another important step toward realizing a more affordable, reliable, and clean energy portfolio,” said Governor Chafee. “Increasing access to supplies of clean, affordable electricity, such as hydropower, and reducing overall energy price volatility is critical for Rhode Island and the region to safeguard our shared long-term economic and environmental security. We can realize that future by coordinating our energy infrastructure investments throughout the region, and I look forward to working with ISO-NE to achieve a more economically-competitive and environmentally-friendly New England.”

The governors believe that such strategic infrastructure investments will improve the region’s economic competiveness and attract new investment by reducing overall energy costs for residents and businesses, while protecting New England’s shared quality of life and environment.