Ocean State Job Lot and Ecogy Energy have completed a 250kW solar array on the rooftop of Job Lot’s store in Richmond, Rhode Island. This marks the third installation of its kind for the company, which is part of its ongoing plan to have the largest rooftop solar portfolio in Rhode Island, hosted atop its stores from Westerly to Woonsocket.
The solar portfolio is part of the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Growth Program and is helping to support the state’s renewable energy transition, contributing directly to Rhode Island’s goal of meeting 100% of its electricity demand with renewable energy resources by 2030.
The celebration in Richmond was marked with a speaking program featuring Ocean State Job Lot’s Senior Director of Property Development Wayne MacLeod, Ecogy Energy’s CEO Jack Bertuzzi, and Rhode Island Energy’s Head of Electric Regulatory Strategy Carrie A. Gill, Ph.D. Richmond Councilwoman Helen Sheehan, Councilwoman Samantha Wilcox, Councilman Michael Colasante, and Police Chief Elwood M. Johnson, Jr. also joined the celebration and participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Left to right: Sarah Barraco, Sustainability Manager, Ocean State Job Lot; Harry Oakley, Director of Energy, Sustainability, Procurement & Corporate Facilities, Ocean State Job Lot; Jack Bertuzzi, CEO, Ecogy Energy; Carrie A. Gill, Ph.D., Head of Electric Regulatory Strategy, Rhode Island Energy; Helen Sheehan, Councilwoman, Town of Richmond; Michael Colasante, Councilman, Town of Richmond; Wayne MacLeod, Senior Director of Property Development, Ocean State Job Lot; Samantha Wilcox, Councilwoman, Town of Richmond; and Elwood M. Johnson, Jr., Police Chief, Town of Richmond Police Department.
Wayne MacLeod, Senior Director of Property Development, Ocean State Job Lot
“Advancing our efforts as a responsible company that respects the environment is imperative, and something we have had an increased focus on in recent years,” said Wayne MacLeod, Senior Director of Property Development, Ocean State Job Lot. “Our ongoing partnership with Ecogy Energy is helping us achieve one of our goals to improve the environment in the communities we serve, like right here in Richmond. We look forward to future installations throughout the northeast.”
“In today’s political, economic, and ecological climate, the benefits of solar energy are more crucial than ever,” stated Jack Bertuzzi, CEO of Ecogy Energy. “Not only will this new system reduce pollution and create wealth, but it is one small step toward America’s energy independence.”
Jack Bertuzzi, CEO, Ecogy Energy
Ocean State Job Lot’s solar portfolio is just one example of our dedication to expanding sustainability initiatives company-wide and giving back to the communities where our stores are located. Other examples include our investment of $14 million in 2018 to modernize our distribution center and store locations with high-efficiency lighting, lowering our carbon footprint. As a direct result of this complete LED rollout, we reduced our overall energy consumption by 17.4 million kWh in just one year, which is equivalent to carbon dioxide emissions from 1.3 million gallons of gasoline consumed or the carbon sequestered by 15,108 acres of U.S. forests in one year, according to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
Through more solar installations and other renewable energy initiatives, we will continue to move toward a cleaner and more sustainable future. Learn more about Ocean State Job Lot’s sustainability efforts here.