RHODE ISLAND is on the threshold of fundamental change in energy policy. Consider the circumstances driving a shift toward renewable energy: strong public support and awareness; traditional sources of energy, such as coal, oil and natural gas, becoming financially and ecologically unaffordable; evidence of global warming appearing in our own backyards; state political leaders publicly extolling wind power; private developers and private capital becoming active in the state; and big energy companies and utilities getting on board.

Community wind projects are a natural next step in developing renewable-energy sources in Rhode Island. They provide tangible and visible examples of renewable energy that give residents a direct stake in the promise that wind power holds for the economy and the environment, and they can be built quickly. At least half a dozen towns are either considering projects, or in the planning stages right now.

Portsmouth, for example, is well on its way. The town will be starting construction this year on a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine at Portsmouth High School, a move that enjoys broad support from residents and local leaders. The new turbine will support the school’s electrical needs (900,000 kw/h a year), and provide substantial excess power.

However, policy reforms are needed to improve the economics of municipal wind projects and make sure that projects like the wind turbine in Portsmouth become a trend rather than an aberration. So what policy changes are needed? Two simple policy changes: “virtual net metering” and creation of a “Municipal Renewable Energy Fund.”

Virtual metering lets cities or towns apply the energy credits produced by a wind turbine or solar panel to any electricity account they hold, not just the meter directly connected to the turbine or panel. In other words, if a wind turbine were erected at a town’s high school, the balance of the electricity not consumed there could then be applied to the town’s energy accounts for other schools, public works garage, fire station, etc.

The financial benefits of this relatively simple policy change are significant. For Portsmouth virtual net metering will bring as much as $200,000 a year of additional revenue (in the form of lowered energy costs). This also enhances the economic argument for wind projects in other communities.

The second change would be to create a “Municipal Renewable Energy Fund” using existing dollars collected from ratepayers that are already earmarked for renewable energy. The goal of such a fund would be to create a permanent program to help offset the payback period that cities and towns face when installing a new wind turbine.

Legislation that would execute these policy changes have been introduced in the General Assembly with strong bipartisan leadership support in both the House and the Senate (H-7809, H-7806, S-2851, S-2852).

If approved, these bills will provide the economic catalyst Rhode Island needs to accelerate our transition from fossil fuel dependence to green, renewable, affordable power . . . now and for future generations.

Matt Auten is an advocate for Environment Rhode Island ( www.environmentrhodeisland.org); Jim Seveney is vice president of the Portsmouth Town Council. ( jseveney@portsmouthri.com).