Conference to shine spotlight on energy alternatives

September 19, 2008

By James J. Gillis
Daily News staff

NEWPORT — A variety of energy alternatives will be on display Saturday at the Aquidneck Island Energy Conference at Salve Regina University.

“It’s going to be a way for everyone to get together and see what kind of options there are,” said Tina Dolen, executive director of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., will serve as the keynote speaker. There will be dozens of exhibits, speakers and breakout sessions on topics such as solar, wind, geo-thermal energy efficiency and retrofitting historic buildings.

Several people connected to alternative energy organizations met last week to talk about the difficulties of promoting diverse energy sources in an oil-driven climate. Scott Milnes, who runs Middletown-based Rhode Island Wind Power with Tim Hetland, said the state needs to increase its support and commitment to alternative energy.

But it’s a bad time for asking residents to invest in something new, he admitted.

“Right now, wind and solar are a tough sell in Rhode Island,” Milnes said. “People don’t want to spend the money right now. It’s not a reflection on re-usables as it is on the economy. Rhode Island is one of the worst states in terms of rebates.”

Cynthia Giles is vice president of the Rhode Island Advocacy Center for the Conservation Law Center. She said Rhode Island is behind in providing public transportation, because the financial support is lacking.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is forced to cut services at a time when demand has increased, she said. “RIPTA is suffering really through not fault of its own,” Giles said. “The gas prices and their revenues are down.”

Some people also are opting to modernize older homes.

Robert J. Cagnetta owns Heritage Restoration Inc., a Providence-based firm that also services the Newport area. He specializes in retrofitting homes for energy efficiency.

“I’m working a lot in retrofitting,” he said. “People have concerns about air flow and energy in older houses, concerns that weren’t there when the homes were built. They’re retrofitting in order to save money on energy costs in the long run.”

Sponsoring the Saturday conference are the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, Channing Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church and Salve Regina University.