Facilitating a Block Island Energy Forum

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Block Island Energy Forum

The town of New Shoreham – known as Block Island – sits 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, and generates its own electricity through a privately-owned diesel power plant using fuel brought over by ferry. As the price of diesel has escalated, so have Block Island residents’ electric bills, sometimes reaching more than double the cost on the mainland. In response to such pressures, the town council appointed an Electric Utilities Task Group to seek a way to lower costs.

 

The Task Group enlisted CBI to help engage residents and tax payers to explore and weigh in on a range of options that included wind, solar, conservation, nonprofit management of the power plant, and building a cable to the mainland. CBI facilitated an all-day event led to a shared understanding of the options and their trade-offs, and a clearer picture of participants’ concerns.

Read more about this project in the Block Island Times: "Forum Explores Island's Energy Options"

Photo: Block Island North Light, by Heather Katsoulis, Flickr