To the editor,

“Renewable Now!”

This is a common refrain now heard everywhere when people are speaking about the amazing benefits of the many forms of clean, renewable energy, namely photovoltaic (PV) solar, wind, geothermal, hydrodynamic, etc. In addition to these new, evolving, contemporary forms of energy sources as being “clean” and not contributing to global climate change, the mammoth benefits of renewable energy are in its never-ending sustainability and environmental friendliness.

Here in Bristol, we are certainly doing our part. Our town has applied for and received significant grant awards providing funding for the town’s infrastructure, specifically our buildings, to improve energy efficiency, thus lowering both heating and cooling consumption and costs. Recently, the town-state partnership known as Solarize Bristol provided numerous incentives for town residents to incorporate the ability to generate electricity, from their rooftops, in the form of solar panels.

So Bristol, what’s next?

Bristol has two closed landfill sites, according to the State of Rhode Island’s “Landfill Closure Program Site in RI.” One is at Minturn Farm Road, while the other is the Perry/Wood Street Dump. The next opportunity, renewable energy-wise, is to convert one or both of these “Brownfields” into a “Greenspace.” Here’s how, simply put.

Lease the closed landfill(s) to an energy company developer, who will prepare the landfill(s) for the installation of a foundation rack/rail system, upon which thousands of solar panels are installed, generating electricity that is sold to National Grid. Bristol, in addition to receiving lease payments for perhaps 15 or 20 years, also will receive additional payments, or credits to the town’s electric usage bill, say for electricity consumed at our schools, thus lowering the cost of education.

The Forbes Street Solar Project, in East Providence, a closed landfill, can be the model for our project and now consists of more than 13,000 solar panels. So Bristol, “Renewable Now!” 

Patrick “Pat” McCarthy

4 Maple Shade Court