1. Green Energy and Green Spaces
Renewable Energy Siting in Rhode Island
Jeanne M. Boyle
Director of Commerce
City of Pawtucket
Environment Council of Rhode Island

2. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT East Providence, RI
Environment Council of Rhode Island
November 15, 2017

3. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
From dormant, blighted land to green, productive use

4. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
• The former Forbes Street landfill consists of approximately 70 acres of the 228 acre
FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT •
The former Forbes Street landfill consists of approximately 70 acres of the 228 acre
property operating from 1969 to 1979. •
During its operation, the landfill accepted household, industrial, and commercial solid wastes. •
Wastes were distributed over disposal areas and covered with street sweepings and
soil from off-site sources. •
Numerous environmental studies have been conducted at the site but it was never
formally closed. •
The City used the property for its yard waste composting site, but it was otherwise an
unused City asset.

5. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT City Council adopted a Comprehensive
Solar Power Project •
In January 2010 the East Providence
City Council adopted a Comprehensive
Plan Update which identified alternative
energy as the priority use for the Forbes
Street property. •
In July 2010 the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for development partners for redevelopment of the
energy development and experience in
redevelopment of closed landfills.
Forbes Street Property. The RFP
emphasizes re-use for alternative •
Responses were received from several development teams, some with national and international experience.

6. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT The City selected CME-Hecate NE
Solar Power
Project •
The City selected CME-Hecate NE
Solar LLC (formerly Cornerstone), a
team with extensive national and international energy development
experience, including design of solar installations on closed landfills. •
CME-Hecate proposed development of a photovoltaic solar installation of between 6-12 MW with an estimated
construction cost of $40 million to
$50 million. •
The City Council approved a
development agreement with CME-
Hecate in November 2010 allowing CME-Hecate to begin due diligence and feasibility analysis of the project.

7. Environmental and other Development Impact Concerns•
Visual Impacts – The site development area is set well away from adjacent neighboring properties and will not have any negative
visual impacts on the community. •
The development will not generate any
noise, glare or other physical impacts on
neighboring properties. •
The site will become a more secure facility
and reduce the potential impacts associated
with unauthorized activities on the property. •
The site will continue to be a significant
preserved area for wildlife habitat in the
area.

8. Environmental and other Development Impact Concerns
Drainage and Wetlands
Impact Concerns •
The landfill cover has been planted with
grasses to effectively reduce runoff from the landfill and to reduce runoff impacts into the
surrounding wetlands. •
The ring access road is constructed of deep
layer of crushed stone which acts as a
stormwater retention feature. •
The surrounding wetlands and recharge areas
will not be altered as a result of this project. •
Best Management Practices were used
throughout the entire construction process.

9. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
Development Process •
City worked with developer to obtain several private, State and Federal grants to off-set pre-development costs. •
In 2011, RI State legislature enacted Distributed Generation
legislation, which significantly improved financial viability of
solar projects in RI. •
City entered into a long-term solar lease with CME/Hecate which covers ground lease, PILOT and production bonus. •
RIDEM closure plan responsibilities remain with City with
some duties assigned to developer under lease.

10. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT Development Process • • • •
CME/Hecate applied to National
Grid for contract through
Distributed Generation offering
and prepared necessary
engineering, feasibility studies,
etc. •
CME/Hecate received Planning
Board approval for a master
plan for a 9 MW solar facility. •
Solbright RE constructed the
facility for developer. •
DE Shaw now owns and
operates the solar plant and
assumes responsibilities of
lease with City.

11. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT from demolition of the former Route
Development
Process •
The City received 50,000 cubic yards of clean gravel from RIDOT resulting
from demolition of the former Route
195 abutments in Providence. There was no cost to the City. •
The clean gravel met RIDEM’s
Residential Direct Exposure Criteria, with the exception of naturally occurring beryllium, and the clean
gravel was determined to be
appropriate for use as cover material. •
The City worked with RIDEM’s Landfill
Closure Program personnel to obtain a
final Certificate of Closure in capping the Site.

12. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
City DPW crews and contractors hired by CME/Hecate worked to cap the
landfill and ready it for installation of the solar plant

13. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
Compost from the City’s on-site yard compost facility was used as the
top cover for the project

14. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
Construction of
the
Solar
Plant •
Constructed by Solbright RE over
five month period a •
Over 13,000 panels installed •
Total cost of approximately $10
million •
3.7 MW capacity •
Generated electricity 12/2013 •
Up to 60 construction jobs •
21,340 construction man-hours •
3 full-time permanent jobs

15. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
Construction of the Solar Plant
Construction progressed quickly in order to meet National Grid
contractual requirements

16. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT

17. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT

18. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT

19. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT
Next Steps: •
The City is continuing with CME/Hecate to develop the site to its full 9 MW
Capacity. Phase II will be operational in 2018. •
The City must complete closure of the remaining 30+ acres of the landfill.

20. FORBES STREET SOLAR PROJECT Aerial photos courtesy of Jason Kechijian,
Solbright, RE.